Big Hands Little Paws Planned Giving

Planned Giving

This is a wonderful giving opportunity, which will have a profound and lasting impact for the animals. It is a meaningful way to carry forward your values of compassion and care and ensure that you continue to create extraordinary change for the animals as part of your legacy.

Planned giving takes many forms and, in some cases, can provide you with additional income and/or reduce the amount of taxes you would regularly pay or your estate taxes. These options include:

GIFTS BY WILL OR TRUST

Naming Big Hands Little Paws as a beneficiary in your will or trust is a powerful statement of your support for our mission and may also provide a reduction in your taxable estate. It can be a bequest of a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or even all or part of the residuary of your estate.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE PROCEEDS

If you no longer need life insurance purchased years ago to provide for children or other family members, please consider donating that policy to Big Hands Little Paws. You can also name Big Hands Little Paws as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of the policy. This requires you to complete a chance of beneficiary form with the insurance company and you can always change your mind at any time by updating the change of beneficiary form.

GIFTS OF RETIREMENT PLANS

You can create a legacy by naming Big Hands Little Paws as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan. When all or part of a retirement account is left to a charity, the organization does not pay the income tax otherwise required if left to a non-spouse. To make such a gift only requires completing a change of beneficiary form, obtained from the plan administrator, naming Big Hands Little Paws.

LITTLE PAWS GUARDIAN ANGEL SOCIETY

By remembering Big Hands Little Paws in your estate planning, you will become a member of Little Paws Guardian Angel Society, a legacy society which recognizes and thanks donors during their lifetimes. You will receive a framed certificate of membership, choice of Big Hands Little Paws merchandise, complimentary admission for a friend to the Big Hands Little Paws annual event, recognition, in quarterly newsletter, website and social media forums (all, none or some – your decision) and the opportunity to share your story on our website about why helping animals is a passion of yours.

Your financial situation is unique. The information above is intended to provide general information on gift giving and should not be used as specific legal, tax or investment advice. Be sure to consult your financial advisory or retain tax and legal counsel to determine which planned giving opportunities are right for you. We will be pleased to provide more information to you and/or your advisors.

If you or your financial advisor would like more information about how you can include Big Hands Little Paws in your estate planning, please contact Pamela Goldsmith at Pamela@bighandslittlepaws.org or call her at 212 203 1892. We hope you will consider becoming a member of Little Paws Guardian Angel Society.