What could RESPOND do with a gift of $100,000?
A gift of $100,000 could help sustain a critical staff position, strengthen services for survivors, or give RESPOND the flexibility to meet needs as they emerge. It could help ensure that when a survivor reaches out, whether today or years from now, someone is there to answer.
But the true impact of a planned gift reaches beyond a single moment.
Imagine knowing that your generosity could help keep RESPOND here for the next survivor who needs a safe place to turn. Your gift could help an advocate answer the phone, help a family find stability, or help a survivor take the next step toward a safer future, even years after your gift is made.
That is the power of a planned gift: the opportunity to extend your impact far into the future and help ensure RESPOND’s mission continues for generations to come.
For example, a donor might choose to include RESPOND in their estate plans through a gift of $100,000. That gift could help sustain the people and services survivors rely on, even as needs and funding change.
And it doesn’t have to be $100,000. Gifts of every size can help shape RESPOND’s future.
By including RESPOND in your future plans, you can help ensure survivors continue to find safety, support, and hope for years to come. A planned gift is more than a financial contribution. It is a reflection of the values you want to carry forward and a way to create a lasting impact while honoring your loved ones and your own financial goals.
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned giving refers to charitable gifts that are arranged now but received in the future. While the process may sound complicated, many planned gifts are simple to establish. One of the most common examples is including RESPOND in your will or trust.
Planned giving is not just for individuals with large estates. Many people assume that legacy gifts are only possible for those with significant wealth, but that is not the case. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, the majority of charitable bequests come from individuals who are not among the wealthiest Americans. These gifts reflect something much simpler: a desire to support the causes and communities that matter most.
A planned gift of any size can help ensure survivors continue to have access to safety, support, and resources for years to come.
You also don’t have to wait until retirement to think about planned giving. Creating a will or reviewing your beneficiary designations is simply part of planning for the future, no matter your age. If supporting survivors is one of your priorities, including RESPOND in those plans is a meaningful way to make a difference for years to come.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
There are several ways you can include RESPOND in your future plans. Some options include:
- A gift in your will or trust: Designate a specific dollar amount, percentage of your estate, or a particular asset to RESPOND.
- A retirement account: Name RESPOND as a beneficiary of all or part of your retirement account.
- A life insurance policy: Designate RESPOND as a beneficiary of an existing policy.
- Real estate or other property: Some donors choose to leave a home, land, or other property as part of their future gift.
- Other financial assets: Depending on your circumstances, there may be additional options that align with your financial and charitable goals.
Some planned gifts, particularly gifts made through retirement accounts, may also offer tax benefits depending on your individual circumstances. A financial advisor or estate planning attorney can help you understand which option is right for you.
Why Planned Giving Matters
For more than 50 years, RESPOND has provided critical support to survivors of domestic violence and their families. Every day, our advocates, counselors, and support staff work to ensure survivors have access to emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, housing support, and prevention education.
Planned gifts help strengthen the future of this work. Unlike funding that may be tied to a particular grant cycle or fluctuate from year to year, legacy gifts can provide a source of long-term stability. They help RESPOND prepare for emerging needs, sustain vital services, and continue investing in the people and resources survivors depend on.
This stability matters because the need for safety and support does not follow a funding calendar. A planned gift can help RESPOND remain ready to meet that need, whether that means
How Planned Gifts Have Helped RESPOND
Throughout RESPOND’s history, legacy supporters have played a unique role in strengthening the foundation of our work. These meaningful gifts allow RESPOND to prepare for what comes next, sustain vital programs, and build a future where survivors and their families can continue to find a path toward safety and healing.
Giving to RESPOND is personal. We are honored to remember and recognize the individuals whose generosity helps shape our future, carrying their names and values forward as we continue our mission to end domestic violence.
When someone chooses to leave a home, retirement account, or other asset to RESPOND, they are making a decision that reaches beyond their own lifetime. They are helping create a future where survivors can continue to find a safe place to turn.
How You Can Leave a Legacy
Creating a planned gift begins with a conversation about what matters most to you. You can start by:
- Considering the type of gift that aligns with your goals.
- Speaking with your financial advisor or attorney.
- Including RESPOND, Inc. in your estate plans.
- Sharing your intentions with RESPOND. This allows us to thank you for your generosity and learn more about the legacy you hope to create for survivors and families in our community.
Whether through a gift in your will, a beneficiary designation, real estate, or another planned giving option, your generosity can help strengthen RESPOND’s ability to support survivors for years to come.
Interested in planned giving at RESPOND? Just want to learn more?
There is no obligation to make a commitment. Our Development Team is happy to answer questions, talk through the possibilities, or simply help you learn more about how planned giving works.
If you are considering including RESPOND in your future plans, we would be honored to start the conversation.
