Give Wisely: Support ASAP with a Planned Gift

Every year, over 1,000 cats and kittens are saved from illness, homelessness and suffering, thanks to the generous support of caring friends just like you. By choosing to name the Animal Shelter Assistance Program (ASAP) as a beneficiary in your will, trust or in another type of planned gift, you are helping to ensure that ASAP can continue saving cats and kittens throughout Southern Santa Barbara County for many years to come while also benefiting you and your family. Planned giving can generate income for you now and in the future, reduce taxes, and help preserve wealth for your family. Here are a few possibilities to consider:

List ASAP in your Will or Trust

You can remember ASAP in your will or trust by giving a specific dollar amount, a percentage, or a specific asset like stock or real estate. You can name a specific program, like the Lester Fund for extraordinary medical procedures or leave it for ASAP to use where we most need it.

Donate unneeded Life Insurance

Whether you own a term or whole life policy, or have employer-provided insurance, it's simple to include ASAP. You can name ASAP as primary or contingent beneficiary for all or a percentage of your policy. If you also name ASAP as owner of the policy, there may be additional tax advantages. Or you could consider funding a new policy for the benefit of ASAP.

Donate appreciated stock for potential double tax savings

If you have owned a stock for more than one year and it has gained in value, you can avoid paying capital gains taxes by donating it to ASAP. You may also take a charitable deduction on the full value of the stock, subject to your deduction limits.

Leave ASAP your unused Retirement Plans

As with insurance, you can also name ASAP as a beneficiary of a 401k, 403b or IRA. You retain full use of your funds in your lifetime with the remainder flowing to ASAP.

Give a Gift Annuity

A one-time gift to ASAP can fund a charitable annuity that will pay you back with fixed, guaranteed income for as long as you live. The older you are, the larger return you will receive on your annuity gift.

Set up a Charitable Trust

These allow you to set aside assets that will benefit both your family and ASAP.

• A Lead trust generates income for the use of ASAP, and at the end of the Trust term, your family gets the principal plus any appreciation, which will usually be excluded from estate taxes.
• A Remainder trust pays income to you or your family for a set period of years, and then ASAP receives the balance, again with long term tax advantages.

Regardless of the size of your estate, careful planned giving will help you meet your personal, family, and charitable giving goals.

If you have questions or you'd like to know more about how to leave a legacy of caring for ASAP, please contact us.

As with any planning, you should consult with your financial and estate advisors before committing to any gift.