Helping Hands Humane Society of Topeka, KS

Planned Giving

Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) relies on donations for all of our day to day operations at the shelter. Through a thoughtful planned giving program many people are able to find simple ways to meet their estate planning needs and at the same time help the animals. There are numerous estate planning options and tax benefits available. The following are just a few of the ways you can direct the use and distribution of your assets, take advantage of tax deductions, reduce the amount of your taxable estate at death and increase the amount of money that will pass to your descendants and to Helping Hands Humane Society. Please contact your estate or tax advisor for their recommendations since tax and estate laws are complex.

GIFT THROUGH A WILL
The simplest way to provide for the animals at HHHS is through your will. A specific sum, a percentage, an asset or “whatever is left ” can be left to HHHS. These amounts do not need to be large. Small bequests are just as important to us. Make sure the animals in our community have a future.*

GIFT THROUGH A TRUST
Living Trust
A living trust can be created during your lifetime for your own benefit. You can name a charitable organization as a beneficiary or one of several beneficiaries. There are potential estate tax savings and the trust is distributed without the cost or delays of probate.*

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable remainder trusts allow you to make a substantial gift while providing a fixed or variable income to you or another beneficiary for life or a fixed number of set intervals. At the end of the trust period whatever remains is distributed to HHHS and/or any other charitable organization you choose. Trusts can provide security for you and your heirs, while still providing a gift to the animals.*

Charitable Lead Trusts
If you wish to pass property to your heirs and make a more immediate gift to the animals, a lead trust may be the answer. In a charitable lead trust, assets are placed in a trust for a specified period of time, HHHS receives a percentage of the income earned over this time period, after which the principal is transferred to your beneficiaries.*

GIFT THROUGH LIFE INSURANCE
One of the easiest ways to make a significant gift is to name HHHS as the full or partial beneficiary on an existing life insurance policy that is no longer needed for the purpose it was initially intended to serve.*

GIFT THROUGH SECURITIES
Donating appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can also support the animals and may entitle you to a charitable deduction of the full market value without the capital gains taxes associated with an outright sale of assets held longer than one year.*

GIFT OF REAL ESTATE OR PROPERTY
You can make a gift of real estate or property to HHHS. There are numerous options available for donation of property.*

If you are interested in learning more about how planned giving can benefit you and Helping Hands Humane Society, call Carol Stubbs, Executive Director at (785) 233-7325, x 106 or send email to carols@hhhstopeka.org.

* The information on this site is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney, tax professional, or investment professional.

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