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Visiting
Nurse Foundation
Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. (VNS) relies
on the generosity and financial support of donors to ensure that we are
able to continue caring for patients regardless of income, illness or
insurance.
VNS is a not-for-profit organization under IRS tax law and donations
are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
We gratefully accept many types of donations, as outlined below. Necessarily,
the information given is general. Individual circumstances alter specific
cases and you should have up-to-date professional advice based on current
tax laws. Consult your financial advisor or attorney for answers to your
specific questions. Should you have further questions or would like examples
of how one of these programs would work for you, please call the Foundation
office at 585-787-8748.
Gifts of Cash
A gift of cash (by check or credit card) is the most direct and immediate
way to offer support. Please note that as a not-for-profit organization,
all gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Gifts
can be made in honor or in memory of someone held dear. Complete the Gift
Form and mail it with your gift, or complete the Online Giving Form.
Gifts of Stock
A stock gift can be very tax wise and convenient! Appreciated stock held
long term (for one year or more) can be given to Visiting Nurse Service
of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc., thus allowing you, the donor, to
avoid long-term capital gains tax. The full fair market value of the stock
is available to Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County,
Inc. to support our mission. Not only do you avoid capital gains tax,
but you are also entitled to a charitable income tax deduction for the
full fair market value! Contact our Foundation office for details on making
a gift of stock.
Gift Through Your Will
One reason donors make gifts through wills rather than during their lifetimes
is to preserve assets for their own use and to maintain current control
over the assets in case they want to change a bequest. For many donors,
the most significant expression of their life values is made in the form
of a charitable bequest in a will. Bequests can be made in the form of
a specific gift of cash or property, or a percentage of an estate.
Friends who inform Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County,
Inc. of their plan for a bequest to benefit our agency are recognized
through the Spring Street Legacy Circle, To confirm your membership in
the Spring Street Legacy Circle, Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and
Monroe County, Inc. will simply request that a copy of the page within
your will, naming Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County,
Inc. a beneficiary, be submitted to us by your attorney with a cover letter
confirming the information. This is to protect you, the donor, and Visiting
Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc., in the event your
wishes are contested.
The language of a bequest in a will should be drafted by your legal advisor
and can be easily included when drafting a will for the first time, or
by adding a Codicil to an existing will. Below are versions of language
for an unrestricted bequest that may serve as a useful starting point:
General Bequest:
used if you intend to make an outright bequest of cash, securities,
or other property by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular
asset, or a fixed percentage of your estate to Visiting Nurse Service
of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc.
I, ____________________________ of ________________________ bequeath
to Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc., a not-for-profit
corporation, 2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster, New York, 14580, the sum
of $______________ (or a description of a specific asset), for the benefit
of Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. for its
general purposes.
I, ____________________________ of ________________________ bequeath
to Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc., a not-for-profit
corporation, 2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster, New York, 14580, ____%
of my estate for the benefit of Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester
and Monroe County, Inc. for its general purposes.
Residuary Bequest:
used if you intend to leave the residue portion, or what remains in
a donor's estate, after other terms of the will have been satisfied:
I,____________________________ of ________________________ bequeath
all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or_________ percent
of the residue), both real and personal, I give to Visiting Nurse Service
of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation,
2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster, New York, 14580, for the benefit of
Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. for its
general purposes.
Contingency Bequest:
is used if you wish to make a contingency gift, so that Visiting Nurse
Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. will receive a portion
of your estate if your named beneficiary does not survive you:
I,____________________________ of ________________________ devise and
bequeath the residue of the property, real and personal and whatever
situated owned by me at my death, to (name of beneficiary), if (she/he)
survives me. If (name of beneficiary) does not survive me, I devise
and bequeath my residuary estate to Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester
and Monroe County, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, 2180 Empire Boulevard,
Webster, New York, 14580, for the benefit of Visiting Nurse Service
of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. for its general purposes.
Gifts of Real Estate
Consider a gift of real estate that has been held more than one year and
has appreciated in value. Gifts of vacation homes, vacant land personal
residences and cemetery plots allow the donor to avoid capital gains tax,
and a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of
the real estate. A qualified appraisal is required by the IRS to substantiate
your income tax deduction.
You may also donate a personal residence and retain the right to live
on and use the property for a term of years or the rest of you lifetime.
This arrangement, known as a retained life estate, allows you to deduct
a portion of the fair market value on your income taxes and removes this
asset from your taxable estate, thus reducing estate taxes, and any potential
burden to surviving family members.
Gifts Through Life Insurance
Most people have life insurance coverage to meet the needs that we all
may face. But life insurance is often overlooked as a way to make a substantial
gift for a relatively modest annual premium.
As Beneficiary:
A donor can name Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County,
Inc. as the primary beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The donor
retains ownership of the policy, with access to the cash surrender value.
At the donor's death, the face value of the policy will be included
in the donor's gross estate. A donor can also name Visiting Nurse Service
of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. as a secondary beneficiary to receive
the proceeds should the primary beneficiary predecease the owner.
As Owner:
A donor may receive more immediate tax benefits for an irrevocable
assignment of proceeds or gift of a life insurance policy to Visiting
Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. Upon the completion
of the assignment or gift, the donor is permitted an immediate federal
income-tax deduction for the lesser of either the policy's fair-marked
value, or the net premiums paid. In order to obtain an income-tax charitable
deduction, the donor cannot retain any rights of the policy.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A Charitable Gift Annuity is a simple contract between the donor and Visiting
Nurse Service Foundation, Inc., that will provide the donor an income
for life paid annually, semiannually or quarterly at a guaranteed return
often greater that today's money market rates. It provides you with an
immediate charitable income tax deduction and a reduction in capital gains
taxes if the gift is made with appreciated securities.
Matching Gifts
You may double, or even triple your gift to Visiting Nurse Service of
Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. by having your employer match your donation.
Thousands of companies offer to match their employee's charitable contributions.
Some require forms to be completed by the employee. Most companies have
guidelines that the non-profit organization and employee must meet before
a donation can be matched. Your company's Human Resources Department can
give you more information about your employer's program, as well as the
proper forms to complete.
Mail your Matching Gift Form along with your contribution to Visiting
Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc.. We will complete and
return the form to your employer.
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