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Sample Bequest Language

A bequest to Middlesex County Community Foundation is a way of perpetuating a donor's support to improve of the quality of life in Middlesex County. It also enables a donor to make a major gift that might not otherwise be possible.

Through a bequest, a donor may leave to Middlesex County Community Foundation a specific dollar amount, for example, ($10,000) or may reserve for the Community Foundation all or a specified percentage of the estate after making provisions for family members and other beneficiaries. The donor may stipulate whether the bequest is for the general support of the Community Foundation and its grantees or for a specific purpose or Fund. A bequest may also be made in honor or memory of another individual.

Suggested Forms of Bequests:

When making or revising a will, a donor should obtain the assistance of an attorney. The staff of the Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc. will be pleased to work with you and your attorney. The following are suggested forms for making various types of bequests.

1. Outright bequest in will

a. Specific dollar amount:

"I bequeath the sum of $_____ to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457 to be used or disposed of as its Board of Directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."

b. Specific property (personal property):

"I bequeath (DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY) to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457 to be used or disposed of as its Board of Directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."

c. Specific property (real estate):

"I devise all of my right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at (description of property) to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457, to be used or disposed of as its board of directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."

d. Share of, or entire residue, of estate:

"I devise and bequeath (all or _____%) of the remainder of my property to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457, to be used or disposed of as its board of directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."

2. Conditional bequest in will

Insert the conditional language in one or more of the above provisions. For example:

"If my husband/wife does not survive me, I bequeath the sum of $_____ to the Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457 to be used or disposed of as its board of directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."

If the gift to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc. is for a purpose other than the Community Foundation's unrestricted use, insert the restriction in place of the words "to be used or disposed of as its board of directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate."
For example:

""I bequeath the sum of $_____ to Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., Middletown, CT 06457, for the following use and purpose: (description of purpose. For example: a field of service, geographic area or specific organization)." In the event of a gift subject to restriction, we suggest including one of the following provisions:

"However, I impose no legal or equitable obligation in this regard."

Or

"If in the judgment of the board of directors of Middlesex County Community Foundation, Inc., it becomes impossible to accomplish the purposes of this gift, the income or principal may be used for such related purposes and in such manner as determined by its board of directors."