American Red Cross

How to include the American Red Cross in my will.

Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming the Red Cross as a beneficiary in their wills. The federal government encourages these gifts or bequests, by allowing an unlimited estate tax charitable deduction.

To make a bequest to the Red Cross, the following language will be helpful to your lawyer:

I give, devise, and bequeath to the American Red Cross for the benefit of the Silicon Valley Chapter the sum of ______(or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the estate).

There are three ways you can make a bequest:

1. Specific Bequest
   You designate a specific dollar amount, specific percentage, or specific property to the American Red Cross.
2. Residual Bequest
   our estate will pay all debts, taxes, expenses, and specific bequests. The remaining amount, the residue, will be transferred to the American Red Cross.
3. Contingent Bequest
   When you are a planned gift donor, the Red Cross will honor you with membership in the Legacy Society.   If you have already made a plan to give to the Red Cross in your will or estate plan, please contact one of the planned giving officers.

We realize that with your special gift, you consider us to be part of your family, and we want to do our best to keep you informed as to how your gift will be used and to give you the opportunity to tell us of your wishes.

For details on this program, sample rates, and other giving opportunities, please contact our Planned Giving Officer Kathleen Wright by sending an  email or by calling 1-888-868-1992.