Generosity comes in many forms, and it is often the best way for you to support important causes that matter the most to you in your life. When you give to Safe Harbor Center, you help us make a difference.

While a majority of gifts to Safe Harbor Center come in the form of cash via check or credit card, many supporters have found that time spent considering WHAT to give as well as WHEN and HOW to structure their contributions can help them make more meaningful gifts while meeting personal financial planning goals as well.

In addition to filling an important role in providing for your family and others, your will or living trust can be a way to make a wonderful gift to the Safe Harbor Center. A gift made by will or living trust can be simple to arrange. A provision or amendment prepared by your attorney at the time you make or update your will or trust is all that is necessary. Gifts via wills and living trusts are popular because they are easy to arrange and may be changed at any time you choose.

Ways to Give Through Wills or Trusts

Ways to give through wills and trusts:

  • Give only the remainder, or residue, of your estate—that is, what remains after all other bequests to friends and loved ones are satisfied
  • Designate that a percentage of your estate be given through your will or living trust
  • Leave a specific dollar amount. A gift of a particular amount may be designated for general use or for a special purpose you discuss with a representative of Safe Harbor Center
  • Provide for a gift of a specific property. Real estate, stocks, and other items of value are examples of properties Safe Harbor Center receives as charitable bequests
  • Arrange a trust as part of your estate plan to provide income to a loved one, with an eventual gift to Safe Harbor Center after that person’s lifetime or another period of time you choose
  • Name Safe Harbor Center to receive a contingent bequest in the event other heirs are not there to receive their legacies

There is currently no limit on amounts deductible from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made by will or trust, therefore no tax will be due on assets given in this way.

Sample Bequest Language

Unrestricted Gift: A gift that can be used where need is greatest

“I give to the Safe Harbor Center, Inc. (Safe Harbor Center) a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, having its principal offices at 1526 Norwich Street, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 _______ (percentage or specific amount) of my estate* for its general purposes.”

Tax ID Number:  58-1907913

Gift for a Specific Purpose: A gift that is to be used for a specific purpose

“I give to the Safe Harbor Center, Inc. (Safe Harbor Center) a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, having its principal offices at 1526 Norwich Street, Brunswick, Georgia 31520, _______ (percentage or specific amount) of my estate* to be used for [state purpose].”

Tax ID Number:  58-1907913

Residuary Bequest: Leaves any remainder after all other bequests have been paid

“All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Safe Harbor Center, Inc. (Safe Harbor Center) a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, having its principal offices at 1526 Norwich Street, Brunswick, Georgia 31520, _______ (percentage or specific amount) of my estate for its general purposes.”

Tax ID Number:  58-1907913

Contingency Gift: Takes effect only if a primary intention can’t be met.

“If (name of beneficiary) does not survive me, or shall die during the administration of my estate, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to the Safe Harbor Center, Inc. (Safe Harbor Center) a non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation, having its principal offices at 1526 Norwich Street, Brunswick, Georgia 31520, _______ (percentage or specific amount) of my estate, to be used for its benefit.”

Tax ID Number:  58-1907913

Safety Language: Language added whenever a gift is restricted

“In the event the purposes of the restriction, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of Safe Harbor Center, Inc. (Safe Harbor Center) can no longer be served, the Board may devote any remaining assets exclusively for charitable purposes that: (a) are within the scope of the charitable purposes of charity (b) most nearly approximate the original purpose of the gift; and (c) benefits charity.”