SIMPLE LANGUAGE FOR A BEQUEST TO
A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND
The following language is suitable for inclusion in the Will of a donor who wishes to leave a bequest to the
Community Foundation for the purpose of benefiting a nonprofit organization with an endowed gift:
I give, devise and bequeath to the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc., a nonprofit
corporation located in Salisbury, Maryland, (describe the gift --- for example: “Ten Thousand Dollars”
or “50% of my estate” or “all the residue of my estate” (or) “the assets directed in my Will” to be given
to the Foundation for the benefit of the (Name of Existing or New Endowment Fund).
BASIC INFORMATION FOR ESTABLISHING
AN EXPECTANCY FILE FOR A NEW FUND
An expectancy file is not required in order to make a bequest. The Will of the decedent is the legal document
activating the gift, but it is a good business practice to create expectancy files for all known bequest. An
expectancy file provides the Community Foundation with an internal record of who is making a planned gift to
the Foundation and to what purpose that charitable gift is to be used. (i.e. – by specifying an existing fund at the
foundation such as a nonprofit partner fund, designated fund, or community needs fund.) Often the donor is
willing to share the specific amount, or estimated value, of the bequest to the organization.
1 – The name(s) and contact information of the person(s) making the bequest.
2 – The attorney and law firm handling the Will.
3 – The specific gift being gifted. (or estimate of the residue of the estate)
4 – Any special requests (or restrictions) by the donor about how the bequest is to be used.
5 – A record of whether the donor has accepted membership in the “Legacy Society” that recognizes
individuals who have made a bequest and evidence of the donor’s written permission to be publicly
acknowledged for their bequest Foundation publications or Foundation sponsored events.
NOTE: In some cases, the individual making a bequest wants the gift to remain “Confidential” for personal or
family reasons which precludes their membership in the Legacy Society or any published listing of Foundation
donors.
1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401 - Salisbury, MD 21804
Phone 410-742-9911 – Fax 410-742-6638 / email [email protected] / www.cfes.org