Planned Giving
We have listed some planned giving options to illustrate just a few of the ways you can create a legacy gift for ASELF. However, please be advised that ASELF is not qualified to provide recommendations or advice on this matter. Please consult your financial advisor and lawyer for their counsel.
Bequests
Designating a charitable bequest is straightforward. Your lawyer can put the appropriate language in your will. If you have already written your will and would like to add the African Solar Electric Light Fund to it, your lawyer can add a bequest through a simple codicil.
Retirement Account
Retirement accounts like IRAs, Keoghs, and 401(k) plans are taxed as income to your beneficiaries, and in addition may be subject to estate tax. If you choose to make other estate provisions for your heirs and name the African Solar Electric Light Fund (ASELF) as the beneficiary of your retirement funds, ASELF receives the funds tax-free, and your gift is fully deductible for estate tax purposes. You can designate a portion or all of the retirement fund to ASELF.
Consult your financial advisor or your employer’s human resources department to get the form that designates the African Solar Electric Light Fund (Federal Tax ID Number xx-xxxxxxx ) as a beneficiary of your retirement account.
Charitable Lead Trust
You can support the African Solar Electric Light Fund over your lifetime or a set number of years by placing assets, such as cash or stock, into a trust that is invested to generate revenue. A set amount or percentage of the profits are then paid to ASELF, which uses those funds to fight energy poverty. When the trust ends, the assets are returned to you or your beneficiaries.
Life Insurance
Consider making the Solar Electric Light Fund a beneficiary of your fully-paid life insurance policy if it is no longer needed to provide security for loved ones. Or, you could give your policy to the African Solar Electric Light Fund and make us your beneficiary, entitling you to a current income tax deduction.
Another option is to consider purchasing a new life insurance policy (or converting an existing policy) and giving it to ASELF as the designated beneficiary. Your ongoing premium payments will be tax deductible, and you receive an additional income tax deduction at the time of the gift.
