Leave a Lasting Legacy

with Charitable Bequests

If you have included Believe in Me in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity, make sure the purpose of your gift is understood by the Foundation, and recognize you as a valued donor.

Expressing Gratitude

Bequests can be made to the Believe in Me for a specified amount, based on a percentage of your estate value, or for a portion or entire remainder of your assets after the bequests to your family have been made. There are a few ways to make a gift to the Foundation from your estate including signing a new will or living trust, adding a codicil to your existing will, or making an amendment to a previously existing trust instrument.

Another way you can leave a bequest is to designate the Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. You can accomplish this by contacting the administrator of your retirement plan or your life insurance company to add the Foundation as a beneficiary using their beneficiary designation form. If you want these funds to be used for a specific purpose, you will need to draft a separate letter prepared with the help of our planned giving support team.

Making a Bequest

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make when planning your bequest to Believe in Me is whether you would like the funds to be restricted for a specific purpose or if they are fully unrestricted.

Unrestricted bequests provide the flexibility for the Foundation to leverage the funds to address its most emergent and pressing needs.

Restricted bequests require the Foundation to funnel funds to a specified purpose of your choosing. Each restricted bequest is unique so Believe in Me encourages donors who are considering this type of gift to have a conversation with a member of our team to ensure the appropriate language is included in your estate documents.

Planning Your Bequest

Remembering Believe in Me (the Foundation) with a bequest in your estate builds instant sustainability into our mission. Making a gift or bequest through your estate with a provision in your will, living trust, retirement plan, or life insurance plan is easier than you think. These transfers of securities, cash, or other assets are made by designating the Foundation as a beneficiary in your estate documents.

What is a Bequest?

As Chief Executive Officer, I am the person responsible for cultivating relationships with individuals who may be interested in leaving a bequest. I work alongside our board to develop and carry out our strategic plan that includes mechanisms for potential donors to make planned gifts. My perseverance, commitment to the mission, and passion for nonprofit work is what fuels our success. I’d be happy to sit down, get to know you in person, and share more information about bequests. If you’re interested in learning more about bequests, let’s have lunch soon!

Schedule a Lunch

Julie Wukelic, MBA

Chief Executive Officer

Meet Our Chief Executive Officer

Advantages of a Bequest

No Up-front Costs: pay nothing now, and feel good knowing you are helping the Foundation in the future
You’re in Charge: maintain control and use of your assets while you are still alive
Flexibility: make changes to your bequests if your circumstances change
Save Money: gifts made to Believe in Me from your estate will be exempt from federal estate taxes
Recognition: give us the opportunity to personally thank you and recognize your generosity by communicating your plans with us

As Development Director I oversee all of the organization's fundraising and help manage relationships with our company's financial partners. My quests include planning fundraising events, interacting with new & former donors to encourage ongoing contributions, and helping seek out opportunities for financial support through grants, sponsorships, long-term giving - qualified charitable distribution, and more. I enjoy collaborating with others on projects and use my attention to detail to help coordinate large-scale events. I also want to maintain a respectful reputation for our Believe in Me Foundation and any nonprofit we represent. After all, it is all about giving back to those kids less fortunate than ourselves.