Would you like to help carry on our mission? For many years, bequests of all sizes have been important to the growth and success of the YWCA West Central Michigan. They help ensure that the YWCA will be fiscally sound for future generations.

The YWCA’s Board of Directors established the Caroline W. Putnam Heritage Society to honor those who have included the YWCA in their wills or other types of planned gifts. It recognizes and thanks those who have committed themselves to providing for the YWCA and those it will serves in the years to come. Making a planned gift through your will or estate plan serves as a memorial to your commitment to the mission of the YWCA.

You can make a bequest to the YWCA by preparing a will or adding a codicil to your present will. To make certain that your intentions are followed, wills and codicils should be prepared with the advice of your attorney. There are various types of bequests and the YWCA can provide sample wording.

• Cash Bequest: The YWCA receives a specified dollar amount.
• Specific Bequest: The YWCA receives specified assets such as securities.
• Residuary Bequest: The YWCA receives all or a percentage of the remainder of your estate after other obligations have been met.
• Contingent Bequest: Property is distributed to the YWCA only if the named beneficiary is deceased.

Your will ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes to the people and organizations most important to you. Through a bequest, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you will help the YWCA for years to come, while still providing for your loved ones.

Further, you can make an unrestricted bequest to the YWCA to be used for general purposes, or you may make a bequest restricted for a specific purpose, such as an endowment or the domestic violence emergency shelter.

If you have already included the YWCA in your will, are considering to do so, or have any questions about other types of planned gifts, please call Charisse Mitchell, CEO, at 616.459.4681. Your inquiry will be confidential and places you under no obligation.