Planned Giving
Since 1999, Cat Haven has saved over 18,000 homeless and abandoned cats and kittens. You can be a part of our continued no-kill, life-saving efforts far into the future with your gift to Cat Haven through your will, trust or other legacy plan. Planned gifts often feature favorable financial and tax benefits. Your support is instrumental in ensuring that Cat Haven will always be here to help the at-risk cats in our community.
The contents of this page do not create legal obligations or contracts, and does not in any way constitute legal advice. It is in the best interest of every donor to consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals when making any bequests or beneficiary designations.
Will or Trust
Making a gift to Cat Haven through your will or revocable living trust is a simple and flexible way to save the lives of homeless pets for years to come:
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Specific gift: You describe exactly what kind of gift you want to leave to a specific individual or organization and the designated source. If you want to leave a specific dollar amount from a specific source or a particular item, this is the type of bequest you would use.
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Residuary gift: This type of bequest is honored after all other bequests have been made, and all debts, expenses and taxes have been paid.
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Contingent gift: This type of bequest is fulfilled if certain conditions are met. For instance, if your primary beneficiary does not survive you, you can indicate your next choice through a contingent bequest.
Beneficiary of Retirement or Other Financial Account
A gift of your retirement assets, such as a gift from your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a planned gift to Cat Haven. If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. Why not allocate the remainder to philanthropic giving, and help us to lead Baton Rouge in becoming a no-kill community?
Typically, retirement plan balances are subject to both income and estate taxes. Because Cat Haven is a nonprofit organization, we won't pay income tax on the distribution nor will the gift be subject to estate tax. Your retirement assets may be transferred to Cat Haven by completing a beneficiary designation form provided by your plan custodian.
Life Insurance
You can name Cat Haven as a primary life insurance beneficiary or as a contingent beneficiary should your other beneficiaries not survive you. After your lifetime, the benefits from your policy pass to Cat Haven, free of federal estate tax. To make this gift, simply contact your insurance carrier and request a beneficiary form. Here are some benefits to you:
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Simple to give: Involves little effort or paperwork
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Financial advantage: Continued ownership of your policy
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Flexibility: You can change your mind and your beneficiaries at any time
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Future tax savings: Removes the asset from your potential gross taxable estate
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Legacy of kindness: Your gift will help Cat Haven continue its lifesaving work
Outright Gift
An outright gift of cash or appreciated property is another easy and wonderful way to contribute to the work of Cat Haven. Your gift will be put to immediate use, and you will be entitled to a charitable income tax deduction for the full value of your gift.
Interested in making a Planned Gift?
If you are considering a bequest to Cat Haven in your will or trust, the following is essential information for your attorney or estate planner. Please download the forms for your attorney and estate planner and contact Cat Haven's planned giving contact information:
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Holly Carey
(225) 636-2680