Dharma Lamp Circle
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Support SFZC now and into the future! Leave a lasting legacy by joining the Dharma Lamp Circle and help sustain SFZC’s Dharma teachings and practice for generations to come.
How to become a member of the Dharma Lamp Circle
We want to celebrate your generosity now! Let us know you are considering naming SFZC as a beneficiary as you plan the future of your estate and we will enroll you in the Dharma Lamp Circle. (Your plan administrator is not obligated to notify us of your estate plans, so please contact us with your intention; gift details are not required.)
Legacy gifts benefit both the donor and San Francisco Zen Center. The advantages to the donor are many—tax benefits, recognition, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping to uphold the legacy left by Suzuki Roshi. Such gifts benefit the community by providing a reliable and steady flow of income, allowing for solid investments in practice centers and programming for years to come.
San Francisco Zen Center is registered as a religious public charity. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Gifts that cost you nothing now
Bequests
The most common form of Legacy Giving is through wills and estate plans. Money, assets, or a percentage of an estate can be donated for general purposes or to fund specific areas within the organization.
Life Insurance
When choosing a beneficiary for your life insurance, consider naming SFZC. This is especially convenient for donors with paid-up policies that are no longer needed for family protection.
Bank & Brokerage Accounts
CDs, savings bonds, bank and brokerage accounts can name SFZC as the pay-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary.
Donor-Advised Fund or Family Foundation
These funds are administered by a community or family foundation, or a brokerage (such as Fidelity or Schwab). Please consult with your fund advisor or legal counsel for advice and notify us of your intention.
Gifts that pay you income
Charitable Gift Annuity
Support SFZC while providing a fixed and guaranteed income for you (or a loved one) over 65 years of age. The rate of income increases based on the beneficiary’s age at the time of gift designation.
Charitable Remainder Trust
Create the terms of your own independently managed trust. Your contributions will provide you with an annual payment; at the end of the trust’s term, the remainder goes to SFZC.
Gifts that reduce your taxes
Real Estate
Retained gifts of real estate provide immediate charitable income tax deductions while retaining your right to use the property during your lifetime. Standard gifts of real estate can be given outright during your lifetime (or in your will or living trust) so you can receive the charitable income tax deduction at the time of donation.
Stock
If you have stock that you have held for more than one year, you can make a fully tax-deductible gift valued at its market value at the time of donation, even if the value at the time of purchase was less. (There is no capital gains tax due on the stock’s appreciation.)
Gifts that benefit your heirs
Retirement Assets
Most IRAs, 403Bs, and 401(k)s are under less severe taxation when distributed to a charity rather than to an individual. Naming SFZC as a beneficiary to your retirement plan may save heirs undue tax burdens, while allowing you to accomplish your charitable objectives. (You can also donate IRA gifts during your lifetime.)
Charitable Lead Trust
The cash you put in your trust will be transferred to SFZC on a fixed schedule for a term. When the term expires, the remaining assets are transferred back to the donor or family members.
If you haven’t yet included SFZC in your will or trust, get started today
- Use FreeWill, a free, online resource to create your estate plan in only 20 minutes.
- Prefer to use an attorney or financial planner? Save time and money by using FreeWill before reaching out to them.
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For questions and assistance regarding any of the above methods of giving, please contact development@sfzc.org.
Nannette Mickle, Director of Development