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Legacy and Estate Planning

Including FCCO in your Will or as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, retirement fund, or other investments

Did you know that there is an easy way you can make a difference in cats’ lives for years to come while also giving yourself peace of mind? By including FCCO in your estate planning, you can make a lasting investment in the lives and health of cats in our communities.

Please consider a gift in your will or include FCCO as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, retirement fund, or other investments. Bequests like this allow you to make a larger gift than you could during your lifetime, and they are still flexible and can be adjusted as circumstances change in your life.

It’s a myth that wills are only for wealthy people.
FCCO received a bequest from Joseph Sommerfeldt. He was a lifelong cat lover who lived on a limited income most of his life. He wasn’t able to donate much during his lifetime, but he was inspired by our dedication to helping feral and stray cats live better lives, so he listed FCCO as the beneficiary of his retirement account. Through this gift he was able to make a significant donation and leave a legacy for the cats.

Why Have an Estate Plan?

  • Peace of Mind for You An estate plan simply helps ensure your assests go where you wish.

  • Peace of Mind for Your Family Your plan will help guide your family if they need to make difficult decisions about your care, provide the authority

  • they might need, and to know what to do when you are gone.

  • Distribution that You Want Without an estate plan of some

  • type, the laws of your state

  • determine what happens to your property. It is very likely the distributions

  • it dictates will not be the ones you would have chosen. And no state distribution law makes provisions for your pets or provides for gifts to friends or charities.

  • Financially Wise A good estate plan will help streamline the distribution process, minimize administrative costs, and possibly reduce taxes that might otherwise be owed. That means you leave the most you can to the people and animals you love and the causes you care about.

Considerations Before Planning

Creating an estate plan doesn’t have to be overly difficult or expensive, but it will help to have some information in advance, including: an inventory of your possessions and the names, addresses, and SSN or EIN for people or charities named in your estate.

Want more information?

Watch this recording of a one-hour Planned Giving Informational Session, read more below, or email or call Karen Kraus at 503-797-2606. For options for including care for your pets in your estate plans, watch this recorded presentation: Planning for Your Pets.

Is FCCO already a part of your Planned Giving?

Please let us know!

Use this simple form or email or call Karen Kraus at 503-797-2606. Your planning today will have a lasting impact on the future of cats in our region. THANK YOU!

The Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) is a 501(c)3 organization supported solely through donations. Your contributions are tax-deductible and make a difference in many cats’ lives!


Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
4522 S Water Ave, Portland, OR 97239
503-797-2606

Tax ID: 93-1168181

 

Wills vs. Trusts. What’s the Difference?

Wills are simpler, handle guardianship of minors, and require probate.

Trusts offer privacy, avoid probate, and provide greater control over asset management during life and after death.

Charitable Legacy Options

We encourage you to consult your attorney, accountant, insurance agent or financial advisor to discuss your goals and to help you determine the type of gift that is right for you.

Bequest This is a gift made through your will or living trust. You can leave a specified amount of money, a particular piece of property, or all or a portion of the residual of your estate.

Beneficiary Designation Gift You can name a charity to receive all or part of an asset. Most commonly used with IRAs, other retirement plan assets, and life insurance policies, it can also work with assets such as checking accounts, brokerage accounts, and annuities.

Charitable Remainder Trust A charitable remainder trust is an especially attractive gift if you would like to sell an appreciated asset, e.g, real estate held for investment purposes, and generate income from the sale without paying capital gains tax.

Charitable Lead Trust A lead trust is the opposite of a remainder trust. The charity receives the payments first for each year the trust is in existence and at the end of the trust term, what is left is returned to you or to your heirs.

Retained Life Estate You can give your home to a charity and continue living in it for the rest of your life.