Estate planning is a very daunting task and we're here to assist you. We can work directly with you or in partnership with your professional advisor (attorney, CPA, or financial advisor.) We can identify the advantages and disadvantages of the different estate planning options and help you decide what is right for you.

Following are different ways to create a lasting legacy and maximize your charitable donation:

• Bequests – a charitable gift written into a will or revocable trust. You retain all assets during your lifetime, and the gift is made upon your death. The estate will receive an estate tax deduction for the bequest.
• Designated Beneficiary Funds – a fund named as either the primary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement assets. Assets transferred to the fund are tax deductible, and the donor can designate a percentage of the fund income to one or more specified organizations.
• Beneficiary Designations – a simple way to make a gift at your death without the need for probate or trust administration. Assets pass automatically to your fund as soon as an application and proper documentation are submitted. 
• Charitable Remainder Trust – created with $100,000 or more, charitable remainder trusts provide an immediate partial tax deduction and capital gains tax will be deferred. You can receive income from your gift for life or for a specific number of years, after which your fund receives the remaining assets.
• Charitable Lead Trust – a trust that lets you provide income to a designated fund for a period of years. Remaining assets – often appreciated – can be directed to you or your beneficiaries at the end of a specific term. A Charitable Lead Trust allows you to pass assets on to your children or grandchildren with minimum gift and estate tax liability. By naming a donor advised fund as the charitable beneficiary, you can maintain maximum flexibility in your charitable giving.
• Charitable Gift Annuities – a lifetime fixed annuity for one or two people issued by The Minneapolis Foundation in exchange for a contribution of $5,000 or more. Annuitants must be age 55 or older when payments begin.
• Gifts of Real Estate – the opportunity to give real estate outright and create a fund. Four options are available: outright gifts, life income gifts, retained life estate gifts and bargain sales.