Vision Society
When you become a member of Fidelco’s Vision Society by pledging a legacy gift, you make a lasting and meaningful difference. Vision Society members help guarantee Fidelco’s long-term sustainability while providing measurable financial benefit to themselves and their ones.
Make your legacy an important part of Fidelco’s future by naming us in your will, creating a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
The types of planned gifts listed below represent ways you can help Fidelco and meet your financial and philanthropic goals. Legacy gifts may reduce estate tax and can be a percentage of your estate or a particular dollar amount.
We recommend consulting with your financial, tax or legal advisor to learn the best option for you.
Legacy gifts support the life-changing guide dog partnerships of tomorrow.
Bequests are a simple and meaningful way to give a gift to Fidelco. You may make a bequest or gift through your estate by including a provision in your will or trust, or by naming Fidelco as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or insurance policy.
Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or personal property.
Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.
How to include a bequest in your will
We have partnered with FreeWill to make it simple and free for you to write or update your will, and plan a gift to Fidelco.
Create your legal will and legacy online at no cost, or if you would prefer to finalize your will with an attorney, document your intentions ahead of time to save on legal fees.
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act), signed in December, 2015, permanently extends the favorable IRA Charitable Rollover rule for people 70 1/2 years and older. IRA Charitable Rollovers are not included in your adjustable gross income and they may fulfill all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution for this year. A gift in any amount up to the $100,000 maximum rollover helps Fidelco fulfill its life-changing mission. You can use this sample letter to send to your IRA Custodian.
Your life insurance policy is often an untapped and forgotten part of your financial planning. Yet it is a simple way to ensure the continued work of Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
- You can name Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation as a beneficiary in your current life insurance policy.
- You can donate your paid-up policy directly to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
- You can start a new policy, making Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation the owner and beneficiary.
You can name Fidelco as a primary or contingent beneficiary of your Individual Retirement Plans (IRA), 403(b), or 401(k). This can usually be accomplished by completing the appropriate forms from your plan administrator.
This is the reverse of a CRT in that it provides for a gift of payments from property to Fidelco for a term of years, and then the property passes to your designated beneficiaries.
These are popular plans because of financial and estate-planning flexibility they offer. A CRT is similar to other types of trusts, except that Fidelco, the charitable beneficiary, receives the remainder income. You entrust property, specifying how trust income and the remainder interest will be distributed.
In exchange for a transfer of cash or marketable securities, you receive payment for a specified annuity to you and/or another beneficiary. Deferred Gift Annuities appeal to younger donors who can defer annuity payments until a future date, such as retirement. You also receive a tax deduction at the time of the gift.
Fidelco partners with FreeWill, an online tool to help you write your legal will in 20 minutes for free. Creating a will is one of the most impactful ways to care for the people and causes you love. If you choose, you can include a gift to Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Visit FreeWill to get started today.
Vision Society members will receive:
- A Vision Society notebook as a token of our appreciation for your commitment to Fidelco.
- Special event access and invitations.
- Biannual program updates.
If you have any questions regarding Fidelco's Vision Society, please email us at visionsociety@fidelco.org.
Vision Society Membership & Recognition
Fidelco’s Vision Society welcomes those who have made bequests or other planned gifts.
To enroll, please notify us that you have included Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in your planned giving by completing the online enrollment form or completing the PDF version of the form and emailing it to visionsociety@fidelco.org or mailing it to:
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Inc.
103 Vision Way
Bloomfield, CT 06002