Why Make a Legacy Gift
By including Shepherd's Heart in your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or other estate plans, you can help ensure that future generations of vulnerable neighbors find safety, dignity, compassion, and a path toward stability. A planned gift allows you to:
- Provide for your loved ones first while also remembering a mission close to your heart.
- Make a meaningful gift that may be larger than what you can give during your lifetime.
- Support Shepherd's Heart's long-term service to Veterans and neighbors experiencing homelessness.
- Create a lasting witness to your faith, values, and compassion.
- Help sustain meals, transitional housing, outreach, case management, life skills support, worship, prayer, and practical care for years to come.
Simple Ways to Leave a Gift
A Gift in Your Will or Trust
One of the easiest ways to make a lasting impact is to include Shepherd's Heart Fellowship in your will or living trust. You may give a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or what remains after other gifts are made.
Beneficiary Designations
You can name Shepherd's Heart as a full or partial beneficiary of a retirement account, IRA, 401(k), 403(b), donor advised fund, bank account, or life insurance policy. This is often simple to do by contacting your plan administrator or financial institution.
Donor Advised Fund Successor Gifts
You may be able to name Shepherd's Heart as a successor beneficiary of your donor advised fund, allowing your charitable values to continue into the future.
Suggested Bequest Language
Please consult your attorney or estate planning advisor. The following sample language may be helpful:
You may also designate your gift for a specific program area, though unrestricted gifts allow Shepherd's Heart to apply the funds to the most pressing needs at the time of funding.
Popular Gifts for Today
Gifts of Stock, Real Estate, or Other Assets
Some donors choose to make gifts through appreciated securities, real estate, or other assets. These gifts may offer tax advantages while helping Shepherd's Heart continue serving those most in need. Contact Dave Tinker, Shepherd's Heart's Development Director, to assist you with a gift of stock, real estate, or other assets.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
Use your IRA to make tax-free gifts that benefit you and our mission. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) is a tax-efficient way for individuals who are age 70 ½ or older to make gifts directly from their individual retirement account (IRA). QCDs can count towards satisfying your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year.
Gifts Through Your Donor Advised Fund
Donor-advised funds (DAF) allow individuals to make charitable contributions and receive an immediate tax deduction. The funds are managed by a DAF custodian. You can direct your DAF custodian to send a gift to Shepherd's Heart.
Join the Bridge Builders Society
The Bridge Builders Society honors friends who have included Shepherd's Heart in their estate plans or made another planned gift commitment. Bridge Builders help create a bridge from today's compassion to tomorrow's hope, ensuring that Veterans and vulnerable neighbors continue to find shelter, dignity, prayer, meals, community, and care at Shepherd's Heart. No minimum gift amount. Simply let us know you've included Shepherd's Heart in your plans.
Already Included Shepherd's Heart in Your Plans?
Thank you. Your generosity is a sacred trust. Sharing your intentions helps us plan wisely for the future, but your information will always be kept confidential unless you give us permission to recognize you.
Let's Have a Conversation
We would be honored to speak with you, your family, or your advisor about how a legacy gift can reflect your values and support Shepherd's Heart for years to come.
Dave Tinker, CFRE, FAFP
Development Director, Shepherd's Heart Fellowship
13 Pride StreetPittsburgh, PA 15219
412-281-1305
info@shepheart.org
