Support
Legacy Giving
Legacy Giving
Light Bearer’s Circle is for catechists, members, and friends of CGSUSA who wish to further the Association’s mission to support catechists, parents, and others in the Church and beyond, as they grow in their understanding of the religious potential of children.
Members of the Light Bearer’s Circle have named the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGSUSA) as a beneficiary in their Will, Life Insurance, Trust or Retirement Plan.
Remembering CGSUSA in your estate plan is a way to ensure the long-term sustainability of our Association and to continue to assist the involvement of children and adults in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant.
Planned Giving Options
Will or Trust
Include CGSUSA as a specific dollar amount or percentage beneficiary.
Life Insurance
Name CGSUSA as a remainder beneficiary of an existing policy by simply asking your agent for a change of beneficiary form.
Retirement Account
Name CGSUSA as a beneficiary. If you are 70 ½ or older you can make a qualified charitable distribution of up to $100,000 per year to CGSUSA without paying taxes on the distribution.
Appreciated Stocks or Real Estate
Consider giving appreciated assets to CGSUSA. For gift securities you can deduct the full fair market value and avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation, up to 30% of Adjusted Gross Income.
| The Goal | The Gift | The Method | The Benefit |
| Give a gift that leaves more of your estate to your heirs. | Gifts of Retirement Assets (401-K, IRA, etc.) | Name CGSUSA as the beneficiary of your retirement plan. | This gift allows you to avoid up to 60% income tax on your retirement assets. |
| Give a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime. | Gifts from your Will or Trust (a bequest) | In your will or trust, include a gift of cash, property or a share of your real estate to CGSUSA. | This gift does not affect your cash flow. Your gift can be adjusted if circumstances change. |
| Give a gift and avoid capital gains liability | Gifts of Appreciated Securities | Your gift of appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds allows CGSUSA to sell these assets and receive the proceeds. | This gift allows you to make a significate contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and avoid all capital gains tax. |
| Give a gift and receive a guaranteed “paycheck” for life. | Charitable Gift Annuity | You can donate cash or securities into a plan where CGSUSA receives the remainder after your passing. | This gift allows you to receive a higher rate of return tax-advantaged payments for life, charitable tax deductions, and avoidance of capital gains tax. |
| Give a gift that allows you to receive a steady income for life. | Charitable Remainder Unitrust, Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust | You can share your assets in a plan where you receive an income for life and CGSUSA receives the remainder after your passing. | This gift allows you to diversify assets, avoid or defer capital gains tax, receive a charitable tax deduction, and possibly secure greater income and inflation protection. |
| Give a gift that allows you to make a large gift at little cost to you. | Gift of Life Insurance | You can donate a life insurance policy you no longer need or name CGSUSA as the beneficiary in an existing policy. | This gift allows you to take a tax deduction now and also take possible future deductions through gifts which pay policy premiums. |
| Give a gift that allows you to plan a future gift in the simplest possible manner. | Gift of the balance of your account (POD or TOD) | You can designate the balance of your bank account, brokerage account, retirement plan, annuity, or life insurance policy to CGSUSA. | This gift allows you to make a significant contribution that costs you nothing now and is as simple as signing your name. |
| Give a gift that allows you to preserve your assets for the future of your heirs. | Charitable Lead Trust | With appreciating assets, you can create a trust that will pay CGSUSA an income for a period of years, and then pass the assets back to you and your heirs. | This gift allows you to shelter your growing assets and benefit CGSUSA right away. This gift can also reduce or eliminate gift and estate tax. |
Helpful Documents
Letter from Board Development Chair – Claudia Pétursson
CGSUSA Legacy Gifts Comparison Table