Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council’s Planned Giving Program

It’s caring individuals like you who have made this organization what it is today. Your support is vital to our future – to the future of the thousands of youth and families we serve each year. By remembering Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council through a planned gift, you help to ensure that future generations will benefit from Camp Fire youth programs that “build caring confident youth and future leaders.”

The Legacy Torch Circle

Individuals who remember Camp Fire USA as a beneficiary through a will, living trust, life insurance policy or other estate planning option are recognized as a member of the Legacy Torch Circle.

Membership in the Legacy Torch Circle is recognized with a keepsake memento, recognition on a plaque displayed in Camp Fire’s Administrative office, recognition in Camp Fire publications and a yearly event for members. If you have made a planned gift or bequest to Camp Fire USA, Central Puget Sound Council, please take a moment to complete the Confirmation of Estate Plan Provision form.

For more information please contact Susan M. Bean, Chief Development and Marketing Officer at 206 826 8953.

Planned Giving Basics

There are many flexible, convenient giving options that will help you maximize your charitable gifts. To begin your planned giving process, consult with an attorney, tax adviser or professional estate planner to ensure you are going to realize the greatest benefit from your gift.

Charitable Bequest to Camp Fire USA
It can be as simple as a sentence or two in the body of your will. Your bequest may specify a certain sum of money: You may also name a particular asset such as stock shares, or a portion of the residue of your estate after other bequests have been paid. Because it is revocable (meaning you can change or cancel it at any time), a bequest provides no current income tax deduction. However, when a bequest is distributed, the amount will be deductible from your taxable estate – potentially significantly reducing the tax burden passed along to your family.
Making a Bequest worksheet

Charitable Remainder Trust
This is a planned giving arrangement in which assets are irrevocably transferred to a trustee under a trust agreement. Income (and in some cases, principle) from the trust is paid to the donor and/or other beneficiaries for life or a term of years. At the end of that time, Camp Fire USA receives the remaining trust assets.

Such trusts offer great flexibility in meeting individual income and planning needs. The trust payout rate may be a fixed amount or a percentage of the trust assets as revalued annually. At the time of transfer, the donor receives a tax deduction for the actuarially determined present value of the reminder interest.

Life Insurance Policy
This option can provide a significant future gift to Camp Fire USA at an affordable present cost to you. Many individuals own some form of life insurance because of its unique ability to meet a variety of needs for financial protection, but its role in planned charitable giving is unfortunately frequently overlooked.

Giving a new or existing policy will provide a tax deduction for the present face value of the policy and/or the future premiums you pay if Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council is named as beneficiary and owner of the policy. (Simply designating Camp Fire USA as beneficiary does not result in a tax deduction.)

If you would like more detailed information about giving to Camp Fire USA Central Puget Sound Council contact Susan M. Bean, Chief Development Officer at 206 826 8953.

Giving to Endowment Funds

An Endowment Fund is an investment fund set aside for the long-term support of an organization. Only the income, or a portion of the income, is expended. The principal is preserved intact.

The Central Puget Sound Council of Camp Fire encourages donations to its Endowment Funds as a means to guarantee in perpetuity the vitality of the Council to support its mission of “building caring, confident youth and future leaders.”

Types of Endowment Funds Available to Donors (a minimum gift of $10,000 or more is required to create an endowment):

Camp Fire USA; Central Puget Sound Council General Endowment Fund
A percentage of the earned investment income from the General Endowment is used for general operating expenses each year.

Camp Fire USA; Central Puget Sound Council Campership Fund
A percentage of the earned investment income from this fund is used to send youth from low income families to Camp Sealth or to the Council’s Volunteer Day Camps each year.

Extending Our Reach Program Endowment (Part 2 Camp Fire’s Capital Vision)

Create a $1 million scholarship endowment to enable an additional 500 at-risk youth to participate in all Camp Fire programs each year.

Youth from underserved communities benefit from participating in after school recreation and development activities such as those provided by Camp Fire USA. Many families in underserved communities cannot afford the expenses associated with these programs and need financial assistance with program fees and supplies. The “Extending Our Reach Program Endowment” will help these youth become participating members of Camp Fire USA.

Camp Maintenance Endowment (Part 3 Camp Fire’s Capital Vision)

Create a $2 million endowment to ensure a revenue stream for camp maintenance in perpetuity which will ensure the camps are safe for learning and exploration.

• We budget and spend operating dollars on camp maintenance, but those funds alone cannot keep pace with ongoing repair needs.
• A Camp Maintenance Endowment provides a consistent stream of revenue allowing for planned maintenance instead of emergency repairs.
• The Camp Maintenance Endowment provides funds for Camp Sealth and Camp Niwana.
  

Camp Fire USA Planned Giving Q & A

Q. What is planned giving?
A. Planned giving, or charitable gift planning, is a way for individuals to provide financial support to an organization during their lifetime and even beyond. Many planned giving arrangements are typically made known in a will or trust that goes into effect after their death.

Q. Do I really need a will?
A. Whether or not you plan to support Camp Fire USA or other groups through your will, it is important to have one. Without this legal document you will not have control over how your money or possessions are distributed after your death.

Q. How do I determine what is in my will?
A. Your estate plan should be based on the types of past experiences, issues, causes, individuals or groups that have made a difference in your life. An estate plan protects your assets, your family and the integrity of your desire to continue to support meaningful experiences.

Q. What tax benefits will I receive through planned giving?
A. Depending on how much you give and the method you choose, you could realize significant tax benefits. Some of the tax benefits are noted on the options explained here. Your attorney or professional tax adviser can give tell you the exact tax benefits your gifts are eligible for.

Q. What if my family thinks I am "reducing" their inheritance by providing a gift to Camp Fire USA?
A. You should always think of what your family needs and make appropriate decisions before you consider giving to Camp Fire USA. Share with them your Camp Fire experiences and memories, and let them know how you feel about your legacy living on through the organization. Nine out of ten times, your family will not only understand your desire to remember Camp Fire in your will – they’ll strongly encourage you to do so. Plus, you may find that what is being reduced is a tax burden to your family.