PLANNED GIVING

Planned giving, or charitable gift planning, refers to the process of making a charitable gift bequest as part of estate planning. It is a process that requires serious consideration in light of the donor’s overall estate plan.

Planned gifts are usually, but not always, deferred, meaning they are arranged now and fulfilled later. For example, a person could include a provision in his or her will to make a bequest to Michigan Opera Theatre. That arrangement would be a planned gift.

A donor’s personal satisfaction is increased in planned giving because he/she can make a larger gift and “experience” the implication of his/her gift during his/her lifetime.

Planned gifts can provide the donor with many benefits. The benefits can include an immediate charitable income tax deduction, even though the charity may not receive the gift until a future date; deferral or avoidance of capital gains taxes on gifts of appreciated securities; retained increased income to the donor and/or their family; possible assistance in asset diversification, and most importantly, support for charity.

There are many different planned gift options, each of which must fit your individual circumstances. The goal is to find the option that is most advantageous and most significant to you, to your family, and to the charitable causes you support. Michigan Opera Theatre planned giving staff can assist you with this process.

Please contact Kim-Lan Trinh, Associate Director of Development, Planned Giving & Major Gifts, at 313-237-3408, or email ktrinh@motopera.org, for more information and assistance.