Project Safeguard has joined the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, which is sponsoring the Leave a Legacy ™ program We are seeking donors committed to helping end domestic violence by holding society responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing sanctions against batterers while increasing safety and survival options for battered women and their children.

Consider this...

• Only 30 percent of Americans die with a will.
• Only 6 percent of Americans include bequests in their will.
• Enormous personal satisfaction results from leaving a legacy.
• There may be tax advantages for doing so.
• A gift to charity does not have to be large to make a difference.

Colorado is a great place to live. Many people volunteer regularly and give financially to the non-profit groups of their choice. By also leaving a legacy to Project Safeguard through a gift in your will, you can continue to help make an important difference in Colorado and elsewhere.

“Leave a Legacy” is a volunteer initiative of the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable to promote interest in charitable giving through your estate plans. Leave a Legacy works hand in hand with non-profit groups including social service and arts organizations, churches, hospitals, educational institutions and other philanthropic groups.

Create A Will

The truth is, all of us leave our assets behind, but 70 percent of Americans do so without knowing to whom. If you die without a will, the government decides who receives how much of what you leave behind -- you forfeit the right to decide who will raise your children and how to distribute your property. If you die without a will, your heirs may lose much of your estate in taxes.

You may end up paying off debts and taxes, but when you create a will, it is an excellent way to ensure that you are able to make your most important decisions that will impact the people, places and things you care about most.

How do I draw up a will? Creating a will does not need to be complicated or expensive. We suggest, however, that you ask an attorney to help you.

Must I have an “estate” in order to create a will? “Estate” is simply a word used to describe any property, money or belongings that you have at the time of death. Most people leave an estate when they die, whether or not they feel they have great wealth.

Consider A Gift to Project Safeguard

Non-profit organizations play an important role in our lives. They help people in many ways--from giving seniors a hot meal to providing mentors for children, from funding disease research to bringing beauty into our community through the arts. These organizations need financial assistance from people like you to continue their good deeds and services.

How do I leave a gift in my will for an organization that I admire like Project Safeguard? Leaving a gift to a non-profit group is a decision that is entirely yours to make. Many individuals set aside a certain dollar amount through their will; others leave a percentage of their estate or any assets left over after their family’s need shave been met.

Some people give a charity something they own, such as a car or their home. Others leave a paid-up life insurance policy. It is important that you provide the correct legal name of the organization, as well as its federal tax identification number if available, to make sure the proper group receives your gift.

Leave A Legacy to Project Safeguard

Without a will, your property and finances are settled according to state laws, whether or not they coincide with your or your family’s wishes. With a will, you can make a lasting difference in the lives that follow.

If I wish to leave a gift to Project Safeguard, do I need to express that in my will? To be certain that Project Safeguard receives the gift, you need to state your intention in your will.

Should I tell Project Safeguard that I have left the gift in my will? This is up to you. Organizations often like to know in advance to recognize your generosity, plan for the future and make the most of your gift. They may also suggest specific giving opportunities.

How do I leave a gift in memory of a person or for a specific purpose? This kind of memorial gift can be arranged in your will. A gift like this is a wonderful way to recognize someone who has made a difference in your life, or honor a specific cause such as research or a new building.

Some Additional Information

Before consulting an attorney, you may want to:

• list all your property and debts
• list family members and friends you wish to remember in your will
• consider a bequest to Project Safeguard
• plan the size of the bequest for each beneficiary
• name a personal representative to administer your estate
• name a guardian for your children

If you already have a will and any of the following has occurred, you should review your will and possibly consult an attorney to revise it:

• you have moved to another state
• your financial, marital or parental status has changed
• your children have grown up
• the tax laws have changed
• a person in your will has died
• you have decided to add one or more charities to your will

About Project Safeguard

Project Safeguard, founded in 1984 is a non-profit organization committed to helping end domestic violence by holding society responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing sanctions against batterers while increasing safety and survival options for battered women and their children.

Project Safeguard aids victims through trauma intervention, emergency legal assistance and advocacy, crisis court support and intervention services while holding systems and society accountable.

Project Safeguard provides specialized domestic violence and technical assistance for justice system personnel, service agencies and community groups.

Our correct legal name and address is: