Sample Language for Your Will or Trust

The following language may help you and your attorney when drawing up a bequest that meets your needs.

General Gifts in a Will

General gifts in a will are the most valuable, as they allow Horizons Foundation to apply your gift wherever the need is the greatest. Examples of general bequests include:


SPECIFIC GENERAL BEQUEST

“I give to Horizons Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation located in San Francisco, CA, or its successor organization, the sum of $ _________ (or % of my estate), (or other personal property herein described) to be used for its general support and charitable purposes without restriction.”


RESIDUARY GENERAL BEQUEST

“I give to Horizons Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation located in San Francisco, CA, or its successor organization, (all or a % of) the residue of the property owned by me at death, real and personal and wherever situated to be used for its general support and charitable purposes without restriction.”


“GREATER OF” RESIDUARY GENERAL BEQUEST

“I give to Horizons Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation located in San Francisco, CA, or its successor organization, the greater of _____ % of my estate or $_______ to be used for its general support and charitable purposes without restriction.”

Contingent Gifts in a Will

It is possible that the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries of your estate may not be there in the future. In such case, a contingent bequest naming Horizons Foundation as a contingent beneficiary can provide a meaningful alternative.

“I give the residue of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal and wherever situate, to _____________________, if he/she survives me. If he/she does not survive me, I give to Horizons Foundation, a California nonprofit located in San Francisco, CA, or its successor organization, the residue of the property owned by me at death, real and personal and wherever situated to be used for its general support and charitable purposes without restriction.”


Bequest Restricted for a Specific Use

Some donors desire their gift to support a specific project, program, or area of research. Restricted bequests are welcome, although it is important they provide for some flexibility to adapt to changing needs and programs.

“I give to Horizons Foundation, a California nonprofit located in San Francisco, CA, or its successor organization, the sum of $_________ (or % of my estate), (or other personal property herein described) to be used for (designated purpose*). If at any time it becomes impossible or impractical for my gift to be used for the above designated purpose, Horizons Foundation shall use my gift for a purpose and in a manner that it determines most closely meets the above designated purpose.”

*If you are interested in supporting a specific project or program, it is best to discuss your plans with our planned giving professionals before completing your bequest language to confirm your wishes can be met by Horizons Foundation.

Please note: The policies of Horizons Foundation do not allow Horizons or its representatives to serve as personal representative, executor, trustee or witness for a will or trust.

Legacy Giving Toolkit

  • FreeWill. FreeWill is an innovative, online resource that allows you to create a legally valid will or living trust for free in as little as 20 minutes. FreeWill not only provides a simple, cost-free, confidential way to plan for the future, but it also allows you to create your Legacy of Pride and help secure the future for LGBTQ generations to come.
  • Sample Language for Your Will or Trust. Find language that may help you and your attorney when making a variety of types of bequests.
  • Sample Beneficiary Designation. Get the information you need to to designate Horizons as a beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan or other financial account.
  • Sample Codicil. Find language that may help you and your attorney when amending your bequest.

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Let us know about your legacy gift.


By notifying us about your future legacy gift, you become part of the Horizons community as a member of our Legacy Circle. We're then able to recognize your commitment to our community's future when we honor the 400+ Legacy Circle members in our annual report. You also can become an inspiration to others to make their commitments — every additional Legacy Circle member is an example to other LGBTQ people and our allies.

Horizons will always keep confidential any specific information about your intentions and will always respect any donor's wishes to remain anonymous to the public.


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This information is not intended as legal, accounting, or other professional advice. For assistance in charitable giving, always engage the services of a qualified professional.