Giving a Planned Gift

Van Andel Institute encourages you to consult with your family and estate planning advisor(s) since this gift will affect your financial and estate planning circumstances. For more information on making a planned gift to Van Andel Institute, contact the Development Office at 616-234-5681.

Each planned gift option provides specific benefits and tax advantages:

• Reduce or eliminate taxes on capital gains
• Convert low-yielding assets to a higher income stream
• Obtain a current income tax charitable deduction
• Provide life-long income for yourself and/or another beneficiary
• Eliminate or reduce federal estate taxes or income taxes
• Pass assets on to heirs with a minimum of transfer taxes

Planned Gift Options

Bequests: a future gift to Van Andel Institute by will or trust that allows the donor to retain all assets during his or her life. The bequest can be a specific amount, a percentage of the estate, or all or part of the residue once other beneficiaries have been honored.

Charitable Remainder Trusts: the donor places assets (cash, securities or other property) in a separately managed trust that provides you and/or your beneficiaries with income payments. At the end of the term of the trust or the donor’s life, the trust assets go to Van Andel Institute.

Charitable Gift Annuities: in exchange for a transfer of cash, marketable securities or real-estate, Van Andel Institute contractually guarantees specified income payments to one or two annuitants for life.

Charitable Lead Trusts: the donor places assets (cash, securities or other property) in a separately managed trust that provides Van Andel Institute with an annual donation (an arrangement that is especially useful in making pledge payments). At the end of the term of the trust or the donor’s life, the trust assets go to the donor’s heirs.

IRA's and Other Retirement Plan Assets: assets in an IRA and other qualified retirement plans are usually subject to both income and estate taxes for family heirs. This tax situation makes such assets an excellent choice for a charitable bequest.

Life Insurance: donors can assign to Van Andel Institute the annual dividends paid on their life insurance policies. They can also make outright gifts of policies that have served their purposes or purchase a policy and designate Van Andel Institute as the beneficiary.