Sample Bequest Language to Create a Fund within Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia.
Here is some basic suggested language for donors to use in their will to establish a named Fund. Please also see the note at the bottom.
The Foundation always encourages donors to discuss their estate plans with their professional advisor(s).
General Language for Creating an Unrestricted Fund:
“I hereby give and bequeath (specific amount)(percentage of estate)(residue of estate) to Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, (“Foundation”) to establish the (name) Fund to be perpetually recognized and administered by the Foundation in accordance with its guiding documents and its procedures for endowed funds. This Fund is Unrestricted in purpose.”
For other types of Funds, substitute the following for the last sentence above:
Field-of-Interest Fund
This Fund is to be a Field-of Interest Fund and will support organizations and programs which (…describe one or more areas of charitable interest).”
Designated Fund
This Fund is to be a Designated Fund, and grants from the Fund will exclusively support the following organizations: (list non-profit organizations and/or programs and relative percentages if desired).”
Donor-Advised Fund
This Fund is to be an Advised Fund and (name, address) will be the Fund Advisor(s) and will have the privilege during his or her lifetime to make annual grant recommendations to the Foundation’s Board.”
Scholarship Fund
This Fund is to be a Scholarship Fund which will provide scholarship support to……. (describe scholarship purpose and selection criteria in detail).
NOTE: If the donor prefers, the Foundation can work with the donor to prepare and execute a “custom-tailored” or more detailed Fund Agreement which could then be referenced as follows in the will: “I hereby give and bequeath (specific amount)(percentage of estate)(residue of estate) to Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Roanoke, Virginia, (“Foundation”) to be added to and administered by the Foundation in accordance with its guiding documents, its procedures for endowed funds and with the separate Fund Agreement previously executed with the Foundation on (date).”