You want to leave money to Make-A-Wish in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both. Adding a bequest to your will or living trust can be as simple as adding a single sentence. Here's our preferred bequest language; take this to your attorney to use as a starting point. Contact us if you have any questions! 

I give the sum of $___ or ___%   to Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan, 7600 Grand River Avenue Suite 175, Brighton, MI 48114 (tax id: 38-2505812) to be used or disposed of as the Board of Directors deems appropriate in its sole discretion. 

Securities and mutual funds that have increased in value and been held for more than one year are popular assets to use when making a gift to Make-A-Wish. Making a gift of securities or mutual funds offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important benefits for yourself. 

When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds in support of our mission, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. 

It is very simple to name Make-A-Wish Michigan as a beneficiary. Start by requesting a change-of-beneficiary form from your policy administrator or download the form from your provider's website. Make your desired changes and return the form to establish your gift. You can name Make-A-Wish Michigan as a beneficiary of your IRAs and retirement plans, life insurance policy, commercial annuity or donor advised fund. 

If you’re at least 59½ years old, you can take a distribution and then make a gift from your IRA without penalty. If you itemize your deductions, you can take a charitable deduction for the amount of your gift. For those 70½ years old or older, you can take advantage of a simple way to benefit Make-A-Wish and receive tax benefits in return. You can give any amount up to $100,000 per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Make-A-Wish without having to pay income taxes on the money. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short. 

There is a way to support MAWMI and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years, by setting up a charitable gift annuity. With a charitable gift annuity, you agree to make a gift to Make-A-Wish Michigan and, in return, we agree to pay you (or someone else, if you choose), a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.  You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits, including an income tax deduction if you itemize. 

If you have built a sizable estate and also are looking for ways to receive reliable payments, consider a charitable remainder trust. This type of trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create. At the end of the trust term, the balance in the trust goes to Make-A-Wish. 

These types of gifts may offer you tax benefits and the option for income during your lifetime. 

The Christopher Hamilton Legacy Society was established in 2013 to recognize individuals who have made a commitment, through their estate plans, to bring hope, strength and joy to the lives of Michigan wish children. 

Please let us know if you’ve named Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Michigan in your estate so that we might include you in this circle of dedicated supporters.

When a friend asked John and Heather Lallo what would happen to their kids if something happened to them in the next 10 years, they started investigating their estate tax planning. The couple, who are both in their 40s, had not previously discussed their plans, but their friend pushed them to review their assets. John, vice chair of strategy for the board of directors, shared tips from what he learned:  

"You do not have to be a 70-year-old or a multimillionaire to start discussing your planned giving. It is never too early. A deferred gift allows you to balance your financial goals and charitable interests."  

With three children in college and another in high school, John and Heather did not want to make a major gift donation now. A deferred gift allowed them to give an amount that can grow over time with greater flexibility. You will need to meet with an attorney, tax accountant or financial advisor. 

Helen Patrisso has generously supported Make-A-Wish Michigan over the years. More recently, Helen took steps to ensure Make-A-Wish Michigan is included in her estate plans. As a longtime supporter, Helen cares deeply about the mission and understands the value of helping to grant a child’s heartfelt wish. She believes it’s her responsibility to best use every second of the day to make a difference.  

“Your day is like a bank account,” Helen explained. “You get the same amount every day, but you can only spend it once. Once you spend it, it’s done. So how you spend those seconds is important. You have to make it worthwhile.” 

It can take 30 seconds to write a check to make a donation. It can take an hour to meet with your attorney or financial advisor to add Make-A-Wish Michigan to your estate plans. By investing a small amount of time in your estate planning, you can help ensure that Make-A-Wish can continue to grant life changing wishes to Michigan kids far into the future.