At Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County, we are sustained by the generosity, vision, and commitment of those who believe in liberal faith, compassionate action, and a welcoming community for all.

A legacy gift—also known as a planned gift—is a powerful way to ensure that the values we cherish today will continue to inspire generations to come.

By including the Fellowship in your estate plans, you make a lasting statement: that love, justice, and free spiritual exploration matter—now and in the future.

Why Consider a Legacy Gift?

A planned gift allows you to:

• Extend your values beyond your lifetime
• Strengthen the long-term stability of the Fellowship
• Support future ministries, programs, and outreach
• Leave a meaningful mark without impacting your current finances

Legacy gifts help sustain our worship services, religious education, social justice work, music programs, and the welcoming space we offer to the wider community.

Ways to Leave a Legacy

There are many flexible options that can align with your personal and financial goals:

1. Bequest in Your Will or Trust

The most common and simplest form of planned giving. You may designate:

• A specific dollar amount
• A percentage of your estate
• A portion of the remainder after other bequests

You can update your will at any time to include the Fellowship.

2. Beneficiary Designations

You can name the Fellowship as a beneficiary of:

• Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), etc.)
• Life insurance policies
• Bank or investment accounts

This option is often easy to arrange and may provide tax advantages to your estate.

3. Charitable Trusts

Charitable remainder or charitable lead trusts allow you to:

• Provide income to yourself or loved ones during your lifetime
• Designate the remaining assets to the Fellowship

These arrangements can offer financial and tax planning benefits.

4. Gifts of Appreciated Assets

Stocks, bonds, or other appreciated property may be gifted during your lifetime or through your estate, often reducing capital gains taxes while benefiting the Fellowship.

Building the Future Together

Planned gifts are often the most significant contributions a person makes to a faith community. They allow us to:

• Maintain and improve our facilities
• Support innovative programming
• Grow our endowment
• Ensure long-term financial sustainability

Your legacy gift becomes part of a foundation that future members and friends will stand upon.

A Gift of Faith and Trust

Choosing to leave a legacy gift is a deeply personal decision. It reflects trust in the mission and confidence in the future of our Fellowship.

We encourage you to speak with your financial advisor or estate planning professional about the options that are best for you. If you have already included the Fellowship in your plans, we would be honored to know so we may express our gratitude.

Together, we can ensure that the light of liberal faith continues to shine brightly in Charlotte County for generations to come.

For more information about legacy giving opportunities, please contact the Fellowship office in confidence.

Check out: