How can I ensure the money I leave to charity continues to support my values?Bob and Sue have been valued clients for many years. Deeply involved in their church, they have long planned to leave a significant portion of their estate to support its mission after their deaths. However, during a recent planning meeting, they shared growing concerns. Declining membership, new leadership, and recently announced changes at the church raised questions about whether its future direction would remain aligned with their long-held beliefs and values.
As Bob explained, “I love my church, but I’m not sure I trust them yet with a large bequest.”
Bob and Sue wanted to ensure that their legacy would be used responsibly and in a manner consistent with their intentions—without jeopardizing their lifelong support of the church they love. Together, we explored several planning options, carefully weighing the benefits and challenges of each. Our goal was to honor their charitable wishes while providing oversight, flexibility, and protection for their hard-earned assets.
After thoughtful discussion, Bob and Sue decided to establish a Family Foundation. They updated their estate planning documents accordingly, naming Baird Trust as trustee and designating their IRAs to fund the foundation at their deaths. Rather than making a single lump-sum gift, the foundation will provide substantial annual grants to the church over a period of 10, 20, 30 years—or longer—helping ensure long-term support and sustainability.
To balance generosity with accountability, Bob and Sue included provisions allowing the church to request additional distributions for specific capital projects, such as a new roof. These requests must meet clearly defined requirements, including detailed plans and competitive bids.
As trustee, Baird Trust will oversee the foundation’s administration, confirm that the church remains a qualified and viable charitable organization, and ensure that all distributions align with Bob and Sue’s stated charitable intent. If the church were ever to close, Baird Trust would identify an appropriate alternative charity consistent with Bob and Sue’s wishes. In addition, Baird Trust will manage all tax filings, reporting, and recordkeeping required to preserve the foundation’s tax-exempt status.
Bob and Sue now know their legacy will continue to support causes they care deeply about—while providing safeguards to ensure their wealth is used wisely, responsibly, and in accordance with their values.
The scenario described is hypothetical and is intended solely to illustrate the types of financial planning services that may be provided. It does not represent the experience of any specific client. Actual client experiences and outcomes will vary depending on individual circumstances and it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future results or client experience.