THE SHINE ON SOCIETY

Naming Sunshine Services as a beneficiary in your estate plans is a meaningful way to create a lasting impact while ensuring flexibility for your loved ones. Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest. These guidelines are not legal advice; all language should be approved by your attorney.

Gift to Sunshine Services, Unrestricted:
“I give to Sunshine Services, a nonprofit organization located in Knoxville, TN, the sum of $___________ (or) ___ percent of the remainder of my estate to be used for the benefit of Sunshine Services for its unrestricted purposes.”

Gift to Sunshine Services, Restricted:
“I give to Sunshine Services, a nonprofit organization located in Knoxville, TN, the sum of $____________ (or) ____ percent of the remainder of my estate to be used by Sunshine Services for support of _______________, with alternate support of _______________, if the preferred purpose cannot be achieved as determined by the sole and uncontrolled discretion of Sunshine Services.”

Beneficiary Designation:
You can also designate Sunshine Services as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial assets by updating your beneficiary form with your financial institution.

For more information or to notify us of your planned gift, please return the Planned Giving Legacy Intent Form to us. Your generosity will help us continue empowering persons-supported for years to come!

You want to leave money to the Sunshine Services in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both!

In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation to the Sunshine Services in your will or trust helps ensure that we continue our mission for years to come.

By including Sunshine Services in your will or trust, you create a lasting legacy that empowers persons-supported for generations to come. A planned gift is a meaningful way to support our mission while maintaining flexibility and financial security for your loved ones.

Why Include Sunshine Services in Your Estate Plans?

• Lasting Impact: Your gift ensures ongoing support for persons-supported to live with independence, inclusion, and empowerment.
• Simple & Flexible: You can update your will or trust at any time to reflect your wishes.
• Tax Benefits: Your estate may receive tax advantages, allowing you to maximize the impact of your generosity.

Ways to Give Through Your Will or Trust

• Bequest: Designate a specific amount, percentage, or remainder of your estate to Sunshine Services.
• Residuary Gift: Leave the remainder of your estate after other distributions have been made.
• Contingent Gift: Name Sunshine Services as a beneficiary if other heirs are unable to inherit.

Visit our section on Beneficiary & Bequest Language above to learn more about how to include Sunshine Services in your Wills or Trust!

Gifting retirement funds is a simple, tax-smart way to ensure your legacy empowers persons-supported for years to come.

Supporters like you can make a lasting impact at Sunshine Services by designating all or a portion of your retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan to support our mission. If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. You can make a gift of your unused retirement assets to help further our mission.

Why Give Retirement Assets?

• Tax-Smart Giving: Retirement funds left to heirs may be subject to income taxes, while gifts to Sunshine Services are tax-free.
• Easy to Set Up: Just update your beneficiary designation form with your retirement plan administrator.
• Flexible & Impactful: You can give the full amount or just a percentage, whatever works best for you and your family.

How to Give

1. Beneficiary Designation: Name Sunshine Services as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account provided by your retirement plan holder. If you designate Sunshine Services as the beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at your death. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.
2. Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you’re 70½ or older, you can donate up to $105,000 annually from your IRA, reducing taxable income.
3. Estate Planning: Include retirement assets in your will or trust for a meaningful legacy.

A gift of life insurance is a simple and impactful way to support Sunshine Services while creating a lasting legacy. By designating Sunshine Services as a beneficiary or transferring ownership of a policy, you can help empower persons-supported for generations to come.

Ways to Give Life Insurance:

1. Name Sunshine Services as a Beneficiary

   • Designate Sunshine Services as a full or partial beneficiary of your policy.
   • Simply update your beneficiary designation form with your insurance provider.
   • Your estate may benefit from potential tax advantages.

2. Transfer Ownership of an Existing Policy

   • Donate a paid-up policy you no longer need, and receive an immediate tax deduction.
   • Transfer ownership of a policy with ongoing premiums, and your future payments may be tax-deductible.

3. Purchase a New Policy for Charity

   • Take out a new life insurance policy and name Sunshine Services as the owner and beneficiary.
   • Your premium payments may qualify for tax deductions.

Suggested Beneficiary Language:
“I designate Sunshine Services, a nonprofit organization located in Knoxville, TN, Tax ID 62-0759415, as a beneficiary of (XX% or $XX) of my life insurance policy.”

A planned gift through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust or Special Needs Trust allows you to support Sunshine Services while ensuring financial security for yourself or a loved one. We strongly encourage you to consult with your legal counsel or financial advisor to determine the best approach for your individual circumstances.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust 

A Charitable Remainder Unitrust provides lifetime income to you or your designated beneficiaries, with the remaining assets benefiting Sunshine Services.

• How It Works:
  1. You transfer cash, securities, or other assets into the trust.
  2. The trust pays you or a loved one income for life or a set term.
  3. When the trust ends, the remaining assets support Sunshine Services’ mission.
• Benefits:

• • Receive a charitable tax deduction.
  • Potentially reduce capital gains taxes.
  • Secure income while making a lasting impact.

Special Needs Trust

A Special Needs Trust allows you to provide for a loved one with a disability while also supporting Sunshine Services.

• How It Works:
  1. You create a trust to benefit your loved one without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
  2. Upon their passing, remaining funds in the trust can be directed to Sunshine Services.
• Benefits:

• • Protects eligibility for Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  • Ensures ongoing support for your loved one.
  • Creates a legacy that empowers persons-supported.

Suggested Trust Language:
“Upon termination of the trust, all remaining principal and income shall be distributed to Sunshine Services, a nonprofit organization located in Knoxville, TN, Tax ID 62-0759415, to be used for its charitable purposes.”

We encourage all donors to seek guidance from their legal counsel or financial advisor when considering a gift through a trust.