The Power of Planned Giving
Building a Legacy of Hope Through Planned Giving
Planned giving is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on families and communities while aligning with your personal values and financial goals. By including Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio in your estate plans, you help ensure that future generations have access to safe, affordable housing—an essential foundation for stability, opportunity, and a brighter future.
Unlike one-time donations, planned gifts create sustained, long-term change. They provide the financial support necessary to continue building homes with families, strengthening neighborhoods, and fostering resilience in communities for years to come. Whether through a bequest in your will, a beneficiary designation on a retirement account, or a charitable trust, your legacy gift helps Habitat keep its promise: that more families will have a place to call home.
Planned giving also offers practical benefits. Many giving options provide potential tax advantages for you and your loved ones while ensuring your generosity continues well into the future. These gifts can be structured in ways that meet your financial needs while allowing you to leave a meaningful, lasting legacy.
A planned gift is more than a donation—it’s a commitment to a future where every family has the opportunity to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership. No matter the size of your gift, your generosity will be felt for generations to come.
Let’s discuss your giving plan.
If you’re considering including Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio in your planned giving or have already put your plan in place, we’d love to chat with you.
Tools and Resources for Your Legacy Plan
Ways You Can Begin to Build Tomorrow Today
As you plan your legacy gift to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, consider the significant impact your choices can have on our community’s future. We know this decision is personal, and we’re here to help you with tailored tools and resources to create a meaningful plan that reflects your values. From online will creation to estate document samples, our offerings make planning straightforward so your generosity can continue to foster hope and stability. Every step you take honors your commitment to making a difference today and empowers future generations, building homes, communities, and hope.
Bequests
Ask your attorney or advisor to add Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to your will or trust.
Life Insurance Policies
You can designate Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a sole, partial, or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
Real Estate
Donating a home or land will help sustain our work and may provide you with excellent tax benefits.
Investment Assets
Gifts of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds may provide significant tax advantages. These assets can be donated during your lifetime or as part of your estate plan.
Retirement Assets
Name Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s.
Charitable Trusts + Annuities
Support Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio’s mission while securing financial benefits for you or your heirs.
Prepare Your Will Online for Free
Creating a will is an important step in securing your legacy. Use a free online tool to create a simple, legally valid will.
Sample Language for Your Will
View example language for your will that will ensure your gift builds locally with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio.
Sample Beneficiary Designation
If you plan to name Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a beneficiary, here are key details like our legal name, address, and tax ID.
Let us know you've made a plan.
If you’ve already included Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio in your legacy giving plan or are planning to, please let us know.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planned Giving
We know that planning a legacy gift is a meaningful and personal decision—and with that often come questions. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions people ask when considering a planned gift to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or finalizing your plans, these FAQs are here to help you feel more informed and confident as you take steps to build a lasting impact for families, communities, and future generations.
Do I need a will to leave a planned gift?
Yes, a will or trust is typically required to make a planned gift. Creating a will ensures your wishes are clearly stated and can provide for both your loved ones and the causes you care about—like Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio.
Does it cost anything to plan my estate?
It doesn’t have to cost money to create a will or trust. For example, FreeWill offers an easy, no-cost option to create a legally binding plan. You can also work with your own attorney to draft or review your estate plans.
Can I change my estate plans later?
Yes, you can revise your estate plans at any time. Life circumstances change, and your plans should reflect your current wishes.
Is my estate big enough to leave a planned gift?
Yes! Gifts of any size are meaningful and deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which naturally scales with the estate’s size—large or small.
What types of gifts can I leave to Habitat?
You can leave a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount, or assets like stocks, retirement accounts, or real estate. Some supporters also choose to name Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or IRA.
What are the benefits of planned giving?
Planned giving allows you to make a lasting impact—often greater than what’s possible during your lifetime—while potentially offering tax advantages to your estate. It’s a meaningful way to extend your legacy and help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Can my gift remain anonymous?
Yes. While we are grateful to know your plans in advance—it helps us plan and express our thanks—you are always welcome to keep your gift private.
Do I need to notify Habitat of my plans?
Not at all, but we’d be honored to know. Letting us know about your gift allows us to thank you (if you’d like), ensure your intentions are clearly understood, and steward your legacy with care.
Can I give in honor or memory of someone?
Yes. Many supporters choose to make a planned gift in honor or memory of a loved one, creating a legacy that reflects their values and continues their impact. If you’d like your gift recognized this way, simply let us know your intentions when you share your plans.
Can I designate the use of my gift to Habitat?
In most cases, planned gifts go toward the area of greatest need so we can respond where help is needed most. However, if you have a specific purpose in mind—such as supporting a particular program or initiative—we’re happy to talk with you about aligning your gift with your intentions.
What if I’ve already included Habitat in plans?
Thank you! If you’ve already named Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio in your will, trust, or beneficiary designations, we’d love to know. Sharing your plans with us ensures your gift is honored as you intend and gives us the opportunity to thank you and welcome you into our legacy community—if you wish.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
We’re here to help. If you’re considering a planned gift and would like to talk through your options, please contact our team at 330-915-5888 or click here to send us a message. All conversations are confidential and come with no obligation.
While we’re happy to answer questions and provide helpful resources, we also strongly encourage you to consult your attorney or financial advisor. They can offer guidance specific to your personal circumstances and ensure your plans align with your goals for your family, your legacy, and the causes you care about.
Before deciding about your legacy plan, consult an estate planning specialist. The content found on this site is general in nature and intended to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be relied upon as legal, tax, accounting or other professional advice. To determine how a gift or estate planning decision might affect your particular circumstances, it is expressly recommended that you consult an attorney, financial advisor or other qualified professional.