Legacy Giving

A Letter From Our President

Hello Friends,

I would like to appeal to you to make a Legacy Gift to the West Shore Chorale. The WSC has been in existence since 1968 and has established itself as an anchor in Cleveland’s performing arts community.

The Chorale has been an important part of your life. The performances have been spiritually uplifting, musically challenging, and are frequently collaborating with other performing groups. The repertoire, the professional orchestra, the guest soloists, and our fine choir all combine to make our performances especially memorable and really set us apart from other choral organizations.

Legacy giving costs you nothing during your lifetime. I have made a Legacy Gift to the Chorale via Beneficiary Designation. I like this option because I didn’t need a lawyer, it took only a few minutes, and I can change my mind if the need arises.

Please consider becoming a lasting part of the West Shore Chorale community for yourself or memorializing a loved one.

A Message from our Artistic Director

The West Shore Chorale has been an important part of my life, and many of you tell me it’s an important part of yours, too. The Chorale is one of the few organizations in our area that provides performances of great choral works. Where else on the west side of Cleveland can you hear the great choral works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and similar composers? If you value this experience, I hope you will want future generations to have the same experiences. You can help assure that by considering a legacy to the Chorale. I will and I hope you will too.

Legacy giving myths

Myth: You should be over 65 to consider Legacy Giving.
Reality: Responsible estate planning happens at all ages. You can ensure the WSC is not forgotten when you plan early.

Myth: Legacy Giving is for the wealthy.
Reality: People of modest means, who may not be able to afford a substantial gift to the WSC in life, are able to make an impact that supports the longevity of the organization.

Myth: I will need a lawyer to make a Legacy Gift.
Reality: Beneficiary designations are simple to do and do not require a will to accomplish.

Two Paths to a Legacy Gift

  • A Will
  • A Beneficiary Designation

Creating a Will

A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that an individual creates during life to designate the distribution of assets after death. To comply with state requirements, a will should be drafted in consultation with an attorney.

A will is important for a number of reasons:

  1. The individual can control where and how the estate will be distributed.
  2. The individual can make specific bequests to family members and other people who are important in his/her life.
  3. The individual can make charitable bequests to his/her favorite charities.
  4. It may save taxes and control unnecessary expenses in the administration of the es-tate.
  5. If there is no will, the state determines how your property is distributed.

Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations are simple to do and do not require a will to accomplish. The donor just signs a form from his/her plan administrator (bank, insurance company, etc.).

Types of accounts that are vehicles for this simple type of legacy giving:

  • Traditional IRA
  • 401 (k)
  • 403 (b)
  • Life insurance policies
  • Keogh
  • SEP
  • Simple IRA and Roth accounts
  • Payable-on-Death (POD) accounts.  These include
    • Bank and Credit Union Accounts
    • Certificate of Deposits
    • U.S. Savings Bonds
  • Transfer-On-Death (TOD) accounts.  These include
    • Stocks
    • Bonds
    • Brokerage Accounts

Important Legacy Giving Information

(Legal name) West Shore Chorale
(Legal address) P.O. Box 770765
Lakewood, OH 44107-7773
westshorechorale.org
info@westshorechorale.org
501(c)(3) organization
Tax-deductible number 23-7001453

The information provided is not intended to be legal or tax advice. It is always advisable to consult with a qualified estate planning attorney when drafting your will to ensure your wishes for family and our non-profit are properly documented.