Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a planned gift to the American Bar Foundation?

  A planned gift to the American Bar Foundation (ABF) is generally made from your accumulated assets in a carefully considered manner and in an amount that expresses your commitment to the ABF but that does not impair you or your family’s financial well-being.

  A planned gift can be a current or a deferred gift.

  A deferred gift essentially means that the ABF will not receive the benefits of your gift until a time you choose.

• I am unable to give a significant gift right now, but I'd still like to support the ABF in the future. What can I do?

  An easy and low-cost way to make a deferred gift to the ABF is to include the ABF in your will or revocable trust. With a Gift by Will or in your revocable trust you will be leaving a legacy of support for the ABF and its mission. The portion of your accumulated assets you leave to the ABF will financially strengthen the ABF and enable it to continue impactful research that advances justice and the understanding of law. If you have not already done so, please consider including the ABF in your will or revocable trust. See our Bequest Language page for samples of how to do this.

  You can also make a deferred gift to the ABF by designating the ABF as a beneficiary of your Life Insurance or Retirement-Plan Benefits.

• Can I create income with my gift?

  Yes! There are many plans for Gifts That Pay You Income. You can also provide income for a child, a grandchild, a parent, or a friend. That income can increase cash flow now and/or during retirement, pay for a college education, provide income for aging parents, or perhaps assist a loved one with special needs. The ABF will receive benefits from your gift only after the needs you wish to provide for yourself, your family, or your friend are met.

• What other assets could I use to make my gift?

  While cash or a check is a simple way to make a gift, you might want to consider the following:

  Gift Type	Possible Benefits
  Cash	Current income-tax deduction that generates income-tax savings
  Appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds	Elimination or reduction of capital-gain tax Current income-tax deduction that generates additional income-tax savings
  Designate the ABF as a beneficiary of your annuities, IRA, or other retirement assets	Income- and estate-tax savings
  Make the ABF the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy	Income- and estate-tax savings
  Create a charitable trust that benefits both you or your family and the ABF	Income- and estate-tax savings

• Can I direct how the ABF will use my gift?

  Most often the answer to this is “yes.” While unrestricted gifts are most helpful to the ABF, some donors would like for their support to benefit a particular project or program. Please be sure to discuss your wishes with the ABF’s Director of Development before finalizing your gift instrument.

• How will the ABF recognize my gift?

  All donors who make a planned gift (or commit to doing so within a time frame discussed with an ABF representative) become members of the ABF Legacy Society. The ABF Legacy Society gives the ABF an opportunity to recognize dedicated supporters who have chosen to make a special commitment of their accumulated assets to the ABF and ensure that the ABF’s important work can be sustained well into the future.

  Members of the ABF Legacy Society are formally recognized in the ABF’s annual report and in the ABF’s quarterly newsletters. ABF Legacy Society members will also receive a designated ribbon recognizing their commitment at the ABA Annual and Midyear meetings and will be invited to local and regional events throughout the year.

The discussion herein is general in nature and may not apply to all individuals. Prospective donors are urged to consult their personal tax and financial advisors concerning the specific consequences of making gifts to the ABF. We would be pleased to discuss, in confidence, ways in which you may support the ABF. Please contact Kathy Pace, Director of Development, at 312-988-6511 or plannedgiving@abfn.org