By making The ALS Association a beneficiary of your will or trust you can create a truly philanthropic legacy, exemplifying your values and lifetime commitment to a world without ALS. Gifts in wills and trusts (“bequests”) are easy to set up, often let you maintain control of your assets today, and can often be easily modified at any time as you go through life.

As you work with your estate planning attorney, you’ll uncover many ways to donate to The ALS Association and each scenario will require unique language. For each situation, you can provide the following sample language to your attorney:

Specific Gift Language

Most people make specific gifts to their loved ones, ensuring they receive what they need first and foremost, and also include a specific gift to their favorite charity to make one final generous donation.

I give and devise to The ALS Association, Tax ID# 13-3271855, located in Arlington, VA, the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support (or  for the support of a specific fund or program).

Residual Gift Language

Another common way to include charities in your estate plan is to care for your loved ones first and foremost and then donate whatever is left over – the residual of your estate – to charities.

I give and devise to The ALS Association, Tax ID# 13-3271855, located in Arlington, VA, all (or a percentage) of the rest, residual and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Contingent Gift Language

Contingent Gift Language

You may also consider making a charity a beneficiary of your estate plan as part of a contingency plan – in case another beneficiary is unable to accept the gift for any reason:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to The ALS Association, Tax ID# 13-3271855, located in Arlington, VA, the sum of $ _______ (or “all” or a percentage of the residual of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).