Donors
Support the Causes You Love — For Good. Forever.
You Want to Keep Making a Difference.
Even After You're Gone.
If you’ve been wondering how to create a long-term impact for the causes you care about—like your church, an arts organization, a local nonprofit, or a scholarship fund—you’re not alone.
Many thoughtful donors want their generosity to live on. But figuring out how to structure a planned gift can feel overwhelming.
That’s where we come in.
Download a Free Estate Planning Guide
What Is Planned Giving?
Planned giving allows you to designate a portion of your estate—cash, investments, property, or retirement accounts—to benefit the organizations and causes you care about most.
It’s your opportunity to:
- Support one or multiple nonprofits
- Maximize tax benefits
- Leave a lasting legacy that reflects your values
- Create a fund that continues giving in your name for generations
You Can Set Up a Planned Gift in Just a Few Steps
You don’t need to be wealthy, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start with one decision: what do you want your giving to accomplish after you’re gone?
From there, Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) can help.
We work with individuals and families to make planned giving simple, flexible, and meaningful—whether you want to give to one organization or several.
Common Ways to Leave a Planned Gift
You designate your fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) as the beneficiary of your asset(s) by will, trust or beneficiary designation form. Learn more about how a bequest works.
If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a legacy gift.
You can designate your fund at the foundation as the beneficiary of a retirement, investment or bank account or your life insurance policy. Learn more about how easy beneficiary designations can be in leaving a legacy.
You transfer your cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable remainder unitrust. The trust sells your property tax free and provides you (or someone else) with income for life or a term of years. Learn more about how to make your assets work for you as well as benefit your favorite charity with a charitable remainder unitrust. When donors plan to give the income benefit to their children or someone else, this is sometimes referred to as a give it twice trust.
You transfer your cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable remainder annuity trust. The trust sells your property tax free and provides you with fixed income for life or a term of years. Learn more about how a charitable remainder annuity works.
You fund a trust that makes gifts to THCF for a designated number of years. Your family receives the trust remainder at substantial tax savings. Find out if a charitable lead trust is right for your family.
You give a portion of property to your charitable remainder trust. The Foundation will act as the Custodian and Trustee of the trust. When the property sells, you receive both cash for the portion you retained and income from your trust for up to twenty years or life, according to the terms of the trust. Learn more about a sale and unitrust.
We purchase your property for less than fair market value. You receive cash and a charitable deduction for the difference between the market value and purchase price. Is a bargain sale the right fit for your situation?
You give your property to our organization but retain the right to use the property during your life. Is a life estate reserve the right choice for you?
Why Partner with THCF for Planned Giving?
- Support multiple charities with a single, flexible plan
- Enjoy tax advantages during your lifetime or for your estate
- Trust experienced stewards to manage your gift responsibly
- Ease the burden on your family by having a clear plan
- Leave a lasting legacy aligned with your passions
Whether your goal is to build a personal endowment, create a family fund, or support a community initiative, we’ll help you create the right strategy and handle the details—so you can focus on the impact.
Download a Free Estate Planning Guide
Activate Your Planned Giving: Join the Heartland Legacy Society
When you make a planned gift through THCF, you’ll become part of our Heartland Legacy Society—a special group of individuals who have committed to giving back for generations to come.
You’ll gain:
- A clear, professional giving plan
- Recognition (if desired) as a Legacy Society member
- Confidence your gift will be managed and distributed with integrity
Let us help you put your legacy in motion—with ease, flexibility, and impact.
Join the Heartland Legacy Society
- Include your fund or shell fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation in your will, as a beneficiary designation, or in another planned giving vehicle.
- Complete a Future Gift Statement of Intent (PDF) form to let us know how you will give and how you want to be recognized.
Fill out a Future Gift Statement of Intent (PDF)
FAQ Section
Q: What if I don’t have money to give today?
You can still set up a deferred fund that’s activated with your estate gift—no immediate donation required.
Q: Am I limited to supporting Funds that already exist at THCF?
No. We help you give to your chosen causes—whether that’s your alma mater, local symphony, church, or another nonprofit.
Q: Can I support multiple nonprofits through one plan?
Absolutely. That’s one of the best reasons to work with us—we make it easy to manage and distribute your gifts to multiple recipients.
View Legacy Society Members
Sample Bequest Language
If you’re working with an attorney or estate planner, you may be asked for specific language to include in your will or trust. Below are commonly used examples you can adapt to suit your goals. These templates make it simple to direct a gift to your fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation.
Note: You can modify the amounts or percentages as needed. We’re happy to work with you or your advisor to customize language that fits your unique plan.
Bequest of Cash
"I bequeath the sum of $250,000* to My Fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation of Independence, Missouri, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization [EIN #43-1482136]."
Bequest of a Percent of the Estate
"I devise and bequeath 50%* of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to My Fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation of Independence, Missouri, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization [EIN #43-1482136]."
Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 75%* of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 100%* of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located, to My Fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation of Independence, Missouri, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization [EIN #43-1482136]."
*Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
A legacy gift at Truman Heartland is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the community. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving.
- Rebecca Knepper, Professional Advisor and Legacy Society Member
Contact Cole Eason to learn how we can help: Eason@thcf.org or call 816-912-4182.