Leaving a lasting legacy … Planned Giving

Trieva smiling

Watch Trieva’s story

Write My will

Trieva Smith is small in stature, mighty in spirit, and a very independent woman.

Earlier in her life, Trieva excelled at her dream job, teaching preschool. She was very self-reliant. “I was living on my own and could easily run errands, go out with my friends, or go to the mall and shop till I dropped!” she said.

Then she began to get migraine headaches. They started to affect her vision and she slowly began to go blind. Without eyesight, she couldn’t do her job. After 15 years of working in a career she loved, she became unemployed.

“I am the perfect example that blindness can happen to anyone. Not only did I lose my job, I lost my independence and I felt scared and defeated,” said Trieva.

Then, one of Trieva’s coworkers told her about the Lighthouse. Before she knew it, she had a new job as a Production Worker and thankfully found a sense of belonging in her new work environment. “All of my immediate coworkers are blind or vision impaired. My supervisor is also blind and encourages me all the way,” she said.

Trieva has taken advantage of the many classes provided by the Lighthouse. She has learned braille and American Sign Language. The Orientation and Mobility Program has helped her live more independently and prepare her for possible career advancement opportunities. She is grateful for the personal and professional development, made possible by community support.

By making a planned gift to the Lighthouse, you will forever change the lives of people like Trieva and join the Lighthouse Legacy Society.

You can shift fear into hope.

Planned Giving Opportunities

Ensure a bright and sustainable future for individuals who are blind and DeafBlind by making a planned gift. Your lifetime gift and/or legacy gift to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. secures the future of programs and services that create opportunities for upward mobility, self-sufficiency, and independence.

To help you get started we are providing FreeWill, an online tool that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will or trust. It’s easy to use, accessible online and can be completed in 20 minutes. You can use this resource on its own or use it to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.

Bequests in your will allow us to look to the future – continuing to advance our programming and expand employment opportunities. There are a variety of ways to create your individual legacy of giving through a bequest.

You can leave/bequest the Lighthouse:

  • A specific dollar amount
  • A percentage of your residual estate (what is left after your loved ones and expenses have been taken care of)
  • A specific asset (securities, or other marketable property)

How to name the Lighthouse in your will:

Log into FreeWill and write your will today at no cost to you, or use this information:

Legal Name: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Address: 2501 S Plum St. Seattle WA 98144
Federal Tax ID #: 91-0295070

Please notify us of your gift:

Have you already included a gift in your will or trust?

Please fill out this updated form to let us know! Even If you have filled out a similar form in the past, we ask you to fill out this updated form today. We would like to include you in our Legacy of Empowerment Society and thank you for your generosity.

For further information about your will, contact your financial or legal adviser.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel at KWiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

We in no way mean this to be legal advice or in lieu of a discussion with your financial adviser or legal representation.

For further information about your will, contact your financial or legal adviser.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel at KWiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

We in no way mean this to be legal advice or in lieu of a discussion with your financial adviser or legal representation.

Change lives forever by naming The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as your beneficiary and join our Legacy Society through your planned gift.

Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. Use this online tool to make your plans to designate your loved ones and/or The Lighthouse as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets.

Please notify us of your gift:

Have you already included a gift in your will or trust?

Please fill out this updated form to let us know! Even If you have filled out a similar form in the past, we ask you to fill out this updated form today. We would like to include you in our Legacy of Empowerment Society and thank you for your generosity.

For further information about your estate, contact your financial or legal adviser.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel KWiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

We in no way mean this to be legal advice or in lieu of a discussion with your financial adviser or legal representation.

There are several options for charitable giving that provide an income to either your loved ones or to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. If you would like to pursue one of these options or something similar, please consult your financial or legal counsel. The following descriptions of each option are meant to assist you to begin that process. We in no way mean this to be legal advice or in lieu of a discussion with your financial adviser or legal representation.

What is a charitable gift annuity?

When you make a gift of $10,000 or more in cash or marketable securities (i.e, stocks or bonds) to Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. we invest the assets and pay one or two annuitants (people you name) fixed payments.  At the end of the contract, the remaining funds will be used to support programs, education, and employment opportunities to the Blind, DeafBlind and Blind with other disabilities.

Requirements of a charitable gift annuity?

Minimum value: $10,000

Minimum age: 65 years of age. If you are under 65 you may create a deferred gift annuity now and payments will start at a later date.

Payment Schedule:

For further information about your estate, contact your financial or legal adviser. We in no way mean this to be legal advice.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel at Kwiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

What is a charitable remainder trust?

A charitable remainder trust is a managed trust that allows you to provide income to your self or loved ones. After the transfer of cash, securities or other assets to the trust, the trustee invests the assets and pays income to you or your loved ones for life or a set term of years. Payments maybe a fixed dollar amount (annuity trust) of a fixed percentage of value (unitrust). When the trust terminates, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. receives the remainder.

For further information about setting up a remainder trust or your estate, contact your financial or legal adviser.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel at  Kwiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

What is a charitable lead trust?

A charitable lead trust is a managed trust that allows you to provide gifts to the Lighthouse and your loved ones will receive the remaining amount.  After the transfer of cash, securities or other assets to the trust, the trustee invests the assets and the trust donates to the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for a set term of years. When the term of years has expired, the remaining amount is paid to your heirs.

For further information about setting up a lead trust or your estate, contact your financial or legal adviser. We in no way mean this to be legal advice.

For further information about our planned giving programs, contact Kate Wiegel at KWiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

Have you already included a gift in your will or trust?

Please fill out this updated form to let us know! Even If you have filled out a similar form in the past, we ask you to fill out this updated form today. We would like to include you in our Legacy of Empowerment Society and thank you for your generosity.

You can help ensure a future of dignity, empowerment, and independence for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities by making a planned gift to the Lighthouse.

If you have any questions about leaving your legacy gift to the Lighthouse, or would like to notify us of a planned gift, please contact Kate Wiegel at KWiegel@LHBlind.org or (206) 436-2116.

FAQ’s

Planned gifts enable The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. to build a sustainable future for our Employee and Community Services (ECS) department. Your legacy will ensure the future of programs and services offering opportunities for upward mobility, self-sufficiency, and independence for our community.

There are many choices for a planned gifts, and many factors that go into choosing the planned gift that is right for you. The most common planned gifts include:

  • Bequests & Wills
  • Chartiable Gift Annuities
  • Life Insurance
  • Trusts
  • Real Estate

  • Age: Anyone at any age can make a planned gift, but age does make a difference in the type of gift and options available to you. Some options fit better when we are 25-50, while others are more ideal during our retirement years.
  • Size of Gift: Depending upon the size of the gift some options are better than others particularly for the purposes of personal and estate taxation.
  • Assets: Whether cash, stocks, physical property or other negotiable assets these all play a factor in proper estate planning.

Your financial and / or legal advisor will be able to help you put together a plan that takes into account all these factors and ensures that your estate plan fits with your life stage.