There is a common misconception that only the wealthy need to make a will. That is not true. A will eases the pain of your passing on for those you leave behind. And, without a will, regardless of your personal wishes, state laws will determine the transfer of your estate.

There is an even bigger misconception that only the super-rich leave money to charity when they die. That’s also not true. The fact is that most gifts donated through a will (such as bequests), are made by everyday people who want to have a lasting, positive impact on their community.

Without this type of generosity, many charitable institutions couldn’t continue their missions into the future. Non-profit organizations, like UUSC, need our support to do their good work.

Here are four reasons why you should include UUSC in your will:    

A Gift by Will Is Easy To Make
A bequest is one of the easiest charitable donations to make. It is simple to implement, and easy to change should you ever need to. You can give specific property, designate a dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. You can also designate UUSC, as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy. 

A Gift by Will Does Not Alter Your Current Lifestyle
Making a bequest is a way of demonstrating your commitment to the future struggle for human rights without affecting your current cash flow or assets. There are no substantial costs, and the gift can easily be modified to address your needs if those change.

A Gift by Will Can Change Lives
UUSC improves lives every day, through our vital human rights programs, grassroots activism and working for policy change. Your bequest to UUSC can help further our shared values for social justice. And it can continue to make a difference for generations to come.

A Gift by Will Creates A Lasting Legacy
Including UUSC in your will is a great way to bring dignity, meaning, and purpose to a life well lived. You can demonstrate your commitment to the future of UUSC, and better yet, a bequest can allow you to give in the way you may have always wanted to, but were unable to during your lifetime. Creating a legacy with your gift ensures that you, and your values, will live on.

You don't have to be wealthy to make a difference. Whoever you are, whatever your situation, you can help make a better world by including a charity in your will.

For more information on planned giving, please contact Brendan Donnelly at 617-301-4349 or by email at bdonnelly@uusc.org.