Creating a Legacy of Hope for the Developmentally Disabled
 

What is planned giving?
Simply put, planned giving is an investment you make in an organization's future. It's something you can do at age 20 or age 90, regardless of your financial resources. In short, you are including an organization in your financial planning because you feel strongly about securing the financial future of that organization.

Why consider a planned gift to Minute Man Arc?
Minute Man Arc for Human Services, Inc., was founded in 1958 by a group of local families to provide services for their children with disabilities. Today, the agency is a full-service provider of programs and services to children and adults as well as their families. In 2008, more than 1,000 individuals of all ages as well as their families received services from one or more of the agency's programs. Individuals have made planned gifts to Minute Man Arc for two primary reasons:

• They have a family member or friend who has benefited from Minute Man Arc's comprehensive services, and they want to say "thank you."
• They are a "friend of the agency," someone who has gotten to know us and wants to do what he or she can to sustain our work.

What they share is a belief in Minute Man Arc's mission: to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities of all ages, to enhance their inclusion in the community, to maximize personal choice and decision making and to support them in reaching their full potential in all areas of their lives. No one likes to think of individuals with developmental disabilities not receiving the services they need to thrive in their communities. Sadly, that can occur all too easily. Minute Man Arc's founding families experienced this first hand and worked hard to build an organization that ensured their children could experience life to the fullest. We never want to take for granted our ability to provide these services, which is why we encourage families, friends and others to consider planned giving.

What are the gift options?
You have many choices for the type of gift you might give to Minute Man Arc. Your contribution can be immediate or deferred. You can select a specific program close to your heart to receive the funds or let the agency decide.

Those gifts that often benefit the agency and families the most include the following:

A gift of a bequest
Charitable bequests can be structured in many ways. For example, if you have established a Special Needs Trust for your child, you can designate any assets that remain in the trust after your child's death to go to Minute Man Arc, and thus benefit other children like your own.

A gift of life insurance
You may wish to contribute a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose. Simply ask the life insurance company for a designation of beneficiary form. If you name Minute Man Arc as the beneficiary, the policy's proceeds will pass to the agency after your death.

A gift of securities
You may benefit in two ways by making a gift of securities (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds) to Minute Man Arc. Not only will you have the knowledge that you have significantly supported the agency's mission, but you may also realize tax benefits from the gift. Check with your legal and financial advisors for options.

A gift of real estate
Real estate held more than 12 months can be contributed outright to Minute Man Arc, which may entitle you to an income tax deduction based on the property's appraised market value. You could also avoid a potential capital gains tax on the property. Once again, consult with your legal and financial advisors for more information.

What is the Woolley Society?
The Woolley Society was established to recognize all those who have included Minute Man Arc in their estate plans. The Society is named after Edith Woolley, a dedicated parent who, with her husband Bruce, has been a stalwart supporter through contributions of both time and financial resources for more than half of the agency's existence, and who made one of the agency's first planned gifts.

We're here to help
The Planned Giving team at Minute Man Arc is available to help you create the gift that best meets your financial and charitable goals. The information in this brochure should not be considered legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Individuals considering a planned gift should consult with their financial advisor. For more information, please contact: Stephanie Parish, Director of Development 978.287.7932 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please click here for the Planned Giving Brochure.