1

Prepare a will. Fully 50% of Americans die without a will. Without one, you lose control of the assets you worked a lifetime to acquire.

2

Leave gifts in your will for the charitable organizations that have made a difference in your life. Fewer than 10% of households in the United States actually make a charitable bequest. Imagine the positive impact in your community if everyone made even a modest donation to a favorite non-profit organization.

3

Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to your favorite charities. The provision can be part of a new will or added to your existing will as a codicil.

4

"Endow" your annual gift to your favorite charity by making a bequest equal to 20 times that amount.

5

Name your favorite charity as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan.

6

Name your favorite charity as the beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.

7

Make a gift of a new or existing life insurance policy to your favorite charity.

8

Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts to charities.

9

Encourage family members and friends to leave gifts to charities in their wills.

10

Ask your financial advisor to include charitable giving as part of his/her counsel to other clients.