Bequest Language
An excellent way for you to support our mission is to leave a bequest in your will, living trust or with a codicil. Making a gift by bequest means you can continue using the property you will leave to charity during your life. You are also able to leave a lasting legacy.
You can make a bequest to one of the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in several ways.
Please contact us with any questions about how to make a bequest to any of our Masonic Charities or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.
If you have included a bequest for one of the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in your estate plan, please contact us or visit our recognition society webpage.
Types of Bequests
You can make a bequest to one of the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in several ways.
Specific Bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount. For example, you may wish to leave your home or $10,000 to the Masonic Charity of your choice.
Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to one of our Masonic Charities.
Residual Bequest. A residual bequest comes from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to one of our Masonic Charities.
Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is made to a charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to a preselected Masonic Charity.
Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 10% of your estate to one of our Masonic Charities.
Residual Bequest. A residual bequest comes from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to one of our Masonic Charities.
Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is made to a charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property, such as a vacation home, to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to a preselected Masonic Charity.
Bequest Benefits
A bequest is generally a revocable gift; it can be changed or modified at any time.
You can designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended.
Bequests are exempt from Federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.
For Bequest Language on making a bequest to a specific Masonic Charity, please go to OUR CHARITIES
Contact Us
Please contact us with any questions about how to make a bequest to any of our Masonic Charities or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.
If you have included a bequest for one of the Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in your estate plan, please contact us or visit our recognition society webpage.