Once you have provided for your loved ones, a bequest in your will can designate a contribution to the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. Your gift to the Girl Scouts will help future generations of girls experience fun, education, and skill-building in a safe and supportive environment. As a donor, you will receive a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you have supported an organization dedicated to supporting girls. Some of the benefits of a bequest are:

• This gift does not affect your assets or your cash flow during your lifetime, as it is not payable until death.



• It is confidential – your will is not filed or made public until your death.



• You can change your mind - the provisions in your will or trust can be altered at any time until death.



• Your gift will help to make sure that future generations of girls will grow strong and reach their full potential through Girl Scouting.

A bequest allows you to make a considerable contribution without reducing your current income. It operates like a postdated check, payable only after death. Your charitable bequest can include cash, securities, real estate, or other property. These assets may be identified specifically as part of your estate remaining after making specific bequests or it may be a percentage of your entire estate. Your gift is revocable during your lifetime; this provides you a hedge against unforeseen events.

Simple wills, leaving everything to a loved one and/or charity are generally used for donors with estates under the Federal Estate Tax threshold, which is currently $1.5 million.

Sample Bequest Language.

Legal documents, such as wills and unitrusts, are usually prepared by attorneys. The following language is for the guidance of attorneys preparing wills containing bequests for the benefit of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast:

Specific Bequest

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, having its principal office at 912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322, _________________ to be used for the general purposes of (resident camp fees for girls from at-risk communities or General Operations Tribute Fund).”

Bequest of Residuary Estate

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast having it’s principal office at 912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322, _________________ % of my residuary estate to be used for the general purposes of (resident camp fees for girls from at-risk communities or General Operations Tribute Fund).”

or

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast having it’s principal office at 912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322,$ _________________ (or _______________% of my residuary estate) to establish an endowment fund, the annual income of which is to be allocated by the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast Board of Directors for the most appropriate needs at the time for the Councils.”

For more information on planned giving, please contact the Fund Development department by email or call (757) 547-4405 ext. 247.