In the 21st century it is our vision to increase LifeLinks capacity to serve each person and his or her family at every stage of life, being responsive to the unique demands of each passage from childhood through old age. LifeLinks struggles to ensure long-term funding of services for people with developmental disabilities, as there is no single promise more sacred to LifeLinks than our promise to be there for a lifetime, through all of life’s passages. No single challenge is more pressing than building financial resources to guarantee a future of the best quality of care possible, the quality of care we would all want for our loved ones. No truth is of greater consequence than that we need family and friends to make a solid commitment to this vision of our shared future.

To that end, LifeLinks governing board created LifeLinks Endowment for Independence, a special fund designed to create a long-term safety net that can help manage the cost of providing service to people with developmental disabilities when annual giving or government dollars are down. Families and friends of LifeLinks can help ensure LifeLinks’ future by making a charitable bequest to LifeLinks’ Endowment for Independence. Supporting LifeLinks and its mission provides one with an enormous amount of satisfaction. Many people consider a bequest the perfect gift. The donor of the gift can help LifeLinks in the future without using any of his or her assets today. A bequest lets the donor balance his or her interest in LifeLinks with concerns about future living expenses, medical costs and those of their loved ones. A bequest allows the donor the flexibility to use the asset if needed but, at the same time, the donor becomes a part of the giving community of LifeLinks by committing a gift for the future.

I give to LifeLinks’ Endowment for Independence, located at 145 Lexington Avenue, Lowell, MA. 01854, the sum of (dollar amount) to be used at the discretion of its governing board.

or

I give to LifeLinks, a charitable organization, located at 145 Lexington Avenue, Lowell, MA. 01854, _____ percent of my real and personal estate.

This is the easiest and most popular way to give. A gift like this, without conditions attached, is frequently the most useful; as it allows LifeLinks to determine the wisest and most pressing need for the funds at the time of receipt.

Another option is to name LifeLinks as an owner and beneficiary of a new or paid life insurance policy. In this example the donor receives a tax deduction for up to the face value of the policy. Or, a donor may prefer to create a trust that will pay an income to a relative for life, with the remaining principal to be given to LifeLinks through a charitable remainder trust. This is a good way to satisfy the financial needs of a surviving family member, while making sure that ultimately the trust’s assets will be directed as the donor chooses. Part of the assets used to fund a charitable remainder trust will avoid federal estate taxes, based upon the estimated value of LifeLinks’ future right to the principal.

Often a bequest is given in memory of someone – either the donor or a loved one. LifeLinks is pleased to honor this request and can grant appropriate recognition.

LifeLinks is honored to extend a lifetime commitment to serve all people with lifelong developmental disabilities and is grateful to those who choose to support us in this endeavor. For more information about planning giving opportunities and LifeLinks’ Endowment for Independence, please contact Chief Executive Officer, Jean Phelps at JPhelps@lifelinks.ws or call 978.459.6179 extension 629.

The information herein is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.