Planned Giving

Looking to the Future

Each year, the Berkshire Humane Society takes in more than 2,000 animals who have nowhere else to go. The funds to care for these animals and find them new homes, as well as funding for our many educational and outreach programs, come from friends and supporters in our community.

Some of the largest charitable gifts BHS receives come in the form of distributions from estates. By including BHS in your estate planning, you can help insure that BHS will always be here to help our animal companions.

There are many ways you can structure your gift to the BHS:

Name the BHS in Your Will

You can use the following paragraph in a new will, or as a codicil (amendment) to an existing will:

“I give and bequeath to Berkshire Humane Society, Inc. the sum of $________ for the general purposes of said corporation.”

Note: All donations are tax deductible.

Your Bequest Can Be:

  • A stated dollar amount, or a percentage of the value of your estate
  • A gift of securities (stocks, bonds, or mutual funds)
  • A gift of property, such as real estate, collections, art, or jewelry
  • A share of the "residue," or the amount that remains after providing for your heirs and paying all debts and costs
  • The remainder, or share of the remainder, of a living trust or charitable remainder trust

Gifts Outside Your Will

You don’t necessarily have to make or change a will to benefit BHS at death. Virtually any financial arrangement that allows you to designate a death beneficiary can be adapted as a wonderful “bequest” to benefit Berkshire Humane Society.

Consider the following possibilities in addition to, or as substitutes for, bequests in a will:

  • Life Insurance: You can name BHS the beneficiary, co-beneficiary, or a contingent beneficiary, of your life insurance.

  • Financial Accounts:Most financial accounts can be made payable on death to a named beneficiary, including a charitable organization such as BHS.

  • Retirement Savings: IRAs, pensions, 401K plans, and other retirement savings arrangements provide for death beneficiaries, which can include charitable organizations.

  • Revocable Living Trusts: The gifts by will that we have suggested also can be given by our friends with revocable living trusts. Simply name Berkshire Humane Society as one of the beneficiaries of your trust.

Consult Your Financial Advisor

Your financial situation is unique. We strongly recommend that you consult your tax attorney, accountant, or other financial advisor to help you include Berkshire Humane Society in your estate planning. We will be pleased to provide more information to you and/or your advisors. If you or your financial advisor would like more information about how you can include BHS in your estate planning, please contact us by mail, telephone or simply send us an E-mail telling us that you are interested in more information regarding gifts and planned giving.