Planned gifts are not just for the wealthy. Anyone can create a lasting legacy for Sandy Hook Promise. As a member of the Promise Society, you make a commitment to the long-term sustainability of our programs creating safer schools, homes, and communities. You also honor our Co-founder’s goal of turning tragedy into transformation.
Legacy gifts – or planned gifts – provide the financial strength and security required for Sandy Hook Promise’s (SHP) continued growth. When you designate a planned gift, you become a member of the Promise Society. Your generosity will be honoring the lives tragically taken at Sandy Hook Elementary and ensuring that SHP’s lifesaving programs last for many years to come.
By making a planned gift, you are making a sound investment in the future of Sandy Hook Promise while establishing an enduring connection to our organization. Your commitment will help to save lives. And we are here to help with any questions you have along the way, just contact the Development Team.
Becoming part of the Promise Society is simple. The most common legacy gifts are a bequest made in a will or a beneficiary designation of a retirement fund or life insurance policy. Establish any of the following estate plans, and you will qualify for membership.
You may name Sandy Hook Promise as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits.
Naming us as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences.
We recommend you consult with your tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts. By naming our foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living. At the donor’s death, the plan passes to support Sandy Hook Promise free of both estate and income taxes in most jurisdictions.*
Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a “change of beneficiary” form from your plan administrator. Be sure to use the proper language for your beneficiary designation, which should include “I give and devise”. When you have finished, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify the Development Team.
It takes just a moment to add Sandy Hook Promise to your estate planning, but that legacy can protect children for generations. For an unrestricted gift that allows Sandy Hook Promise to determine how to use the funds based on the most pressing needs, use the following language for your will and or trust.
“I give and devise to Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 currently located in Newtown, CT, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its general charitable use and purpose.”
As a Promise Society member, you may also designate your will or trust provision for a particular purpose or program. Here is language you can use in your will or living trust.
“I give and devise to Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 charity, currently located in Newtown, CT, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property]. This gift should be used for (state purpose or program) if and so long as Sandy Hook Promise Foundation determines that the need exists. If Sandy Hook Promise Foundation shall determine at the outset or at a later time that the need does not exist, or no longer exists or for some reason it is not possible (or prudent) to administer my gift as originally intended, then Sandy Hook Promise may, in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above.”
Sandy Hook Promise can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled. Sample language:
If (insert name of potential beneficiary) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3, located in Newtown, CT, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general charitable use and purpose (OR for the support of a specific purpose or program).
If you have already made Sandy Hook Promise a beneficiary in your will or estate plans, thank you! Please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable Sandy Hook Promise to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence. To confirm your planned giving support, please contact our Development Team.
*Please note the information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.
Our proven Know the Signs programs teach youth and adults how to prevent violence, shootings, and other harmful acts.
Committed to driving change to protect children, measuring our effectiveness to learn and celebrate our shared success.
Through our sister organization, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, you can help change policy to enact common sense reforms.
