Legacy Gifts

As you plan for your own future and give thought to the legacy you would like to leave, we hope you will remember St. Louis Arc in your estate and financial plans. Below you will find information on the ways to make a lasting gift to St. Louis Arc.

Gifts by Will (Bequests)

Including a bequest to the St. Louis Arc in your will is one of the simplest ways to make a legacy gift and support our work. A bequest can be made by preparing a new will or by adding a codicil to your existing will. Gifts through your will provide flexibility in giving through specific unrestricted bequests that specify a dollar amount or percentage of your estate; residuary bequests that give all or a portion of what is left of your estate after all other distributions care made; or contingent bequests that occur once a specified event has occurred.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Life insurance can be a valuable and sensible way to make a legacy gift. Many life insurance policies outlived their original purpose to provide financial security for a dependent spouse or children. If this is the case, there are several ways life insurance can serve as the basis for a charitable gift.

  • Name the St. Louis Arc as a Beneficiary of Your Policy
  • Transfer Ownership of an Existing Policy or Purchase a New Policy for the St. Louis Arc.
  • Use Life Insurance to Replace Assets for Your Heirs

Retirement Plan Assets

Using retirement fund assets to leave a legacy gift has become increasingly popular because of potential tax benefits. These assets include pension plans, 401(k) or 403(b) plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), profit-sharing plans or stock bonus plans. Estate taxes can decimate the value for your heirs. Instead, you may want to consider avoiding heavy tax burdens and listing St. Louis Arc as a beneficiary for all or part of your retirement benefits. The assets then would pass to the St. Louis Arc free of income taxes and would no longer be considered part of your estate for estate planning and the full value of the contribution would be available to help the St. Louis Arc achieve its mission.

Charitable Trusts

Charitable trusts offer many options and benefits for people interested in legacy giving in conjunction with caring for their loved ones after they have gone. With a Charitable Remainder Trust, you irrevocably transfer assets to the trust and then the trust makes payments to you or another beneficiary for life or for a specified term of years (up to 20). Upon the death of the last surviving beneficiary the remaining assets of the trust are distributed to the St. Louis Arc. A Charitable Lead Trust virtually mirrors the charitable remainder trust except that payments are made to the St. Louis Arc (or charity of your choice) for your lifetime or another specified time frame.

For your planning purposes, please note:
Legal Name: St. Louis Arc
Address: 1177 N. Warson Road, St. Louis, MO, 63132
Federal Tax ID Number: 43-0718811

This information is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage you to discuss these options with your attorney or financial advisors.