Legacy Giving

We believe character shapes our legacy.
Leave your mark.

Planning a future gift to Character.org is a great way to help guarantee that our work will continue for future generations. Whether you designate a specific amount during your lifetime or leave a percentage of your estate, your donation will be deferred while providing significant tax advantages.

Another option for donors is to consider a gift to our Endowment Fund, established years ago by board member Dick Pieper and our founder, Sandy McDonnell.

*Kindly inform us of any gifts to Character.org in your will.

Grandparents having a lovely autumn day with their grandson in n

3 Ways to Give

Cash or Non-Cash Assets

Donating cash, securities, or other non-cash assets like real estate can provide significant tax benefits.

Beneficiary Designations

Your retirement plans, life insurance policies, and annuities can include Character.org.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

Charitable income and remainder trusts provide many options for donors with significant and immediate tax advantages. If you are 70½ or older, you can also give up to $100,000 per year from your IRA while avoiding any income tax implications.

Find out more

Please reach out to Dean D’Ambrosi, our Executive Vice President, for more information by completing the contact form and he will follow up with you.

Commitment

Parents need to commit to model and reinforce to their children the core values and character strengths that mean the most to them. They also need to be creative and offer meaningful experiences that illuminate how important these character strengths are to the family’s core values.

Conversations

We know “We need to talk” freaks kids out, but too often parents avoid having conversations about character, especially as children get older. While it may not be easy to talk sometimes, we know from the research that parents who avoid talking to their children about serious matters quickly lose trust and connection.

Celebration

Parents need to find ways for their children to be active participants in their own character growth. Optimal character development occurs when children begin to make self-motivated commitments to consistently practice a core value (e.g. “I want to be the kind of person who is always honest and shows up on time.”) Parents need to celebrate these moments to shape and define individual character.

We believe character shapes our legacy. Leave your mark.