What is Legacy Circle?
Legacy Circle is a group of United Way of Greater Cleveland supporters who have expanded their philanthropic footprint through planned giving.
In the past decade, Legacy Circle donors have committed more than $6.5 million to United Way. These future-oriented commitments help secure United Way’s ability to make an impact in Greater Cleveland even if other annual contributions fluctuate.
Becoming a member of the Planned Giving Program is an investment in the future of generations of Clevelanders and creates a legacy of generosity.
What Does Planned Giving Look Like?
There are several ways to make a planned gift to United Way. They include:
A bequest in a will or trust
- A bequest provision can be included in your will or trust when it is first drafted, or it can be added as a supplement to your existing will or trust.
- You can designate an exact amount, an asset or a percentage of the assets, or the balance of your estate after all other bequests are made.
- Through United Way’s partnership with FreeWill, making a will is accessible, straightforward, and free of charge! You can learn more and get started here: freewill.com/unitedway
Beneficiary designations
- Assets such as bank accounts, retirement accounts and life insurance policies permit you to designate a beneficiary to receive the asset upon your death.
- In a typical beneficiary designation form, you may designate a primary or secondary beneficiary.
- You may even split the percentage received among charity, family members and friends (but be sure the total equals 100%).
Outright gift of appreciated assets
- You can donate appreciated assets, such as stock, to United Way of Greater Cleveland.
- Long-term appreciated securities transferred directly to a charity are not subject to capital gains tax. This increases the size of the gift.
- Donating appreciated assets makes an immediate impact, avoids capital gains taxes, and gives the donor an income tax reduction.
To learn more about planned giving, please contact Andrew Genszler, Director of Legacy and Planned Giving, about a gift for the future.
Tel: 216-436-2148
Email: agenszler@unitedwaycleveland.org
Thank you for your support!
Legacy Circle Spotlight: Steve Bornstein
When asked how his personal philanthropic journey began, Steve Borstein remembers going door to door with his parents with a Red Feather canister. As a family, they were collecting donations in support of the Community Chest, a predecessor to today’s United Way of Greater Cleveland.
Steve continued his family’s tradition of philanthropy and went on to personally support United Way in adulthood. After completing a United Way Leadership course, he served on what was known as the Health & Human Services allocation panel. He later chaired the allocation panel and joined the Board of Directors. As a dedicated United Way volunteer for more than 30 years, Steve has held multiple leadership roles. He went on to serve as a member of the Community Investment, Strategic Investment, and Executive Committees. He also served as chair of the Community Impact Committee from 2014 to 2018.
It was witnessing the positive impact that United Way has on the Greater Cleveland community that prompted Steve to make a planned gift and become a member of the Legacy Circle. He believes a planned gift is a meaningful way to support the work of nonprofits that align with your values and passions. It ensures the work continues after you are gone.
He says, “Most nonprofit agencies do good work and always need financial support. Seeing and knowing the good that United Way does in supporting the community is why I continue to support this important agency.”
