Make-A-Wish

Through various types of bequests to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., a donor may secure a charitable estate-tax deduction for the value of your gift. But more importantly, you will know that your generosity will support our mission for years to come.

You can make a bequest for a specific dollar amount or for a percentage of your estate. You can designate your bequest for general use or you can restrict its use. Many individuals establish endowments that honor the memory of a family member or another loved one. These endowments live forever since only the income is used annually and can mean that wishes are granted in perpetuity. Since a will is an important legal document you should seek an attorney’s help. To assist you with this important process we offer some suggested bequest wording below. 

Following are some examples of various types of bequests:

Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or personal property.

Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.

Designation of Retirement Fund Assets – by designating retirement fund assets to the Foundation, you eliminate both the income tax and estate tax that would have to paid if you left this to an individual(s).

Including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. in your will:

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc.

Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with the Foundation to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Suggested Bequest Wording:

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Maryland, ________ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. for the general purposes. 

Percentage of estate for specific purposes with an endowment provision
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., a not-for-profit organization located in Maryland, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to establish the ____________________ENDOWED FUND. The principal of this fund shall be invested as part of the Foundation’s permanent endowment and in accordance with its policies. The income from the fund is to be used by used by the Foundation for____________________________________________. If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the  Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. may redesignate the purpose for which the Fund's income may be distributed, and the amended terms shall adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

Specific amount for unrestricted purposes
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., a not-for-profit organization located in Maryland, the sum of $_______ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. for the general purposes of the Foundation.

Specific amount for specific purposes 
I give, devise, and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., a not-for-profit organization located in Maryland, the sum of $_______ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used for ________________________ at the Foundation.  If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Foundation’s Board of Directors may redesignate the purpose to adhere as closely as possible to my original intent. 

Regardless of the type of bequest you intend to leave, it is important that you use the correct language in your will to assure that your intentions are carried out as you would like.  Please consult a qualified attorney to help you prepare and finalize your will.

Your attorney will need to know our full legal name: 
Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., headquartered at 5272 River Road, Suite 700, Bethesda, MD, 20816. The Foundation’s tax identification number is 52-1306075.

If you do decide to include the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. in your will or estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity and foresight by inviting you to join The Wishmakers Legacy Society, a special group of individual donors who have told us that they have included the Foundation in their will or estate plans. 

For more information on how to include the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. in your will or trust or to let us know that you have already done so, please contact Catherine C. Martens, president and CEO, or Anna Tate in the Development Office at 301.962.9474 or atate@midatlantic.wish.org .      

For more information on ways to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., please contact your local field office.

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