Bequest Language

Bequests are the single most important source of planned gifts. They are attractive to donors who wish to retain control of their assets during their lifetimes and assist their favorite charities later. A few of the many types of bequests are listed below:

Bequest of a fixed amount:
"I give to the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, a non-for-profit corporation located in Merced, CA, ____________________ dollars to be used for the support of ________________________or for its general purposes."

Percentage Bequest
"I give to the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation located in Merced, CA, _______% of the residue of my estate for the support of_________________________ or for its general purposes."

Specific Bequest
"I give to the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation located in Merced, CA, my interest in (describe property and exact location) for the support of _________________________, or to be used for its general purposes."

Residuary Bequest
"All of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, and personal of whatever kind and wherever situated, which I may own or have the right to dispose of at the time of my death, I give to the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation located in Merced, CA, to be used as the Trustees of the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation may direct".

Contingency Bequest
This option provides for donor's property to pass to charity in the event all of the other beneficiaries have declined to accept bequests or have died before the donor's demise. "If the above-named beneficiary (ies) predecease me or disclaim any interest in (description of property), I give and bequeath my residuary estate to the Mercy Medical Center Merced Foundation for its exempt purposes."

Deferred Gifts
It is also possible to include in a donor's will many of the deferred gift options previously described. In this context, testamentary charitable remainder trust, testamentary charitable lead trust, and testamentary charitable gift annuity are the terms used to refer to these options.

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