At Vision House, we know generosity takes many forms. Some supporters make monthly sustainer gifts while others give of their time and energy volunteering. What many supporters don’t realize is that there are simple, impactful ways to make a lasting difference today and for decades to come through planned giving.

What Is Planned Giving?

In simple terms, planned giving refers to charitable donations that are arranged in advance and often come from non-cash assets like investments, retirement accounts, or property. “A planned gift is basically a gift that comes from something other than your checking account,” explained Bob Bowen, with Vision House’s philanthropy team. “It’s strategic, and it’s a way to be generous using resources available to you beyond your immediate cash.”

Common Planned Giving Options

Bequests

A bequest is a gift left in a will or living trust. A donor can choose a specific dollar amount, a percentage of their estate, or a particular asset to be left to Vision House after their death.

Non-Cash Assets

These assets include gifts of real estate, property, life insurance, 401 (k) retirement funds, vehicles, boats, and other personal and business assets.

Appreciated Securities

Donating stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have increased in value can offer significant tax advantages to donors. They avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation and receive a charitable deduction for the full market value of the gift.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)

Charitable Gift Annuities

Charitable Gift Annuities help donors make a significant gift to Vision House while having a contract in place that guarantees fixed payments from the dividends of that gift to the donor during their lifetime.

“The number of planned gifts we're receiving is increasing every year,” said Bob. “We’re especially seeing more professionals make gifts to Vision House from their company stock options.”

Who Should Consider a Planned Gift?

Whether you’re 35 or 95, it’s not too early or too late to think about the impact you can have on your community. As Bob described it, “You could be 45 years old thinking about capital gains taxes, or you could be a 70 1/2-year-old managing your required minimum distributions (RMDs). At any stage, you can make an impact.”

Vision House can help connect supporters with trusted, faith-based financial advisors or organizations like the National Christian Foundation to explore giving options. “We’re not financial advisors, but we partner with trusted organizations like our friends at The National Christian Foundation to help our Vision House supporters achieve their charitable goals,” said Bob.

The Impact of Planned Giving

At Vision House, a $60 gift provides a night of safety for a family experiencing homelessness in King County. Planned giving helps Vision House create even longer-term, meaningful impact.

“In the past, these occasional large gifts were used for immediate needs,” Bob said. “Where we’re moving now is to build for the future.” Vision House is working to establish a charitable fund, where planned gifts and estate gifts will be invested and grow over time, providing sustainable funding for years to come.

A single planned gift can create ripples of hope. It could fund housing for a family, replace a washer and dryer, or build a new apartment building. “Planned giving makes fundraising less about the urgent crisis of the moment and more about the ongoing possibility of providing hope,” Bob explained.

How to Get Started

If you support Vision House and want to leave a legacy, the first step is simple: let us know. “We want to thank people while they’re still with us,” Bob said. “It’s about the relationship, not just a transaction.” [Even so, donor confidentiality is respected when requested.]

We also encourage you to speak with your financial advisor, estate planner, or accountant. Vision House would also be happy to connect you with trusted professionals who can help you structure your planned gift in a way that aligns with your values and goals.

To learn more about how your planned gift can change lives, please visit https://visionhouse.org/planned-giving to schedule an appointment with a Vision House Donor Advisor.

At Vision House, we believe everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. With your help, we can continue building that future. As Bob reminded us, “At the end of the day, we all want to make sure our gift is being impactful.”