Charitable Endowments

A charitable endowment is a fund, typically organized as a trust or foundation, where your donated assets are invested. The fund provides a steady income stream to CCE, while the principal remains intact. This ensures that your gift continues to benefit the organization in perpetuity, creating a lasting legacy. Unlike the posthumous nature of bequests, charitable endowments are made to CCE during your lifetime so you will not only be able to control your donation, but be able to see the impact of your gift.

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Why Consider a Charitable Endowment?​​

1. Sustained Impact: The endowment grows over time through gained interest, ensuring your philanthropic goals continue to be met year after year, leaving a lasting legacy.

2. Tax Advantages: Donating to a charitable endowment can offer significant tax benefits, including potential deductions on income and estate taxes.

3. Fulfillment: You are making a sustained impact on causes important to you. Click here to understand where your support is going.

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Charitable Lead Trust

If you are looking for a creative way to pass on assets to your family while reducing or eliminating gift or estate taxes, a Charitable Lead Trust may be an excellent way to achieve charitable and tax-planning goals. A CLT is a trust where the income, or “lead” interest, is paid to CCE for a set period (usually 10 to 20 years), after which the remaining trust assets go to non-charitable beneficiaries, such as family members, without passing through the donor’s estate.

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How to Make a Charitable Endowment

1. Decide on the Asset Type: You can fund your endowment with various assets, including cash, stocks, bonds, or real estate.

2. Work with Financial Advisors: We recommend consulting with your financial advisor to determine the best assets to use and understand the tax implications.

3. Establish the Fund: Navigate to the Contact Us page to discuss setting up the endowment. We can guide you through the process and discuss how your endowment can be used in line with your philanthropic goals.

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Sample Language

Below is sample language that you can share with your financial advisor in drafting a charitable endowment:

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I bequeath to Council for Court Excellence (Tax ID #52-1241825), a nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C.,

• the sum of _________ dollars; or

• an amount equal to ________ percent of the net value of my estate; or

• all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate

• "I, [Your Name], hereby establish an endowment fund with the Council for Court Excellence, with the purpose of [specific purpose or 'general support']. The principal of this endowment shall be kept intact, and the income generated from its investment shall be used for [specific use or 'general purposes']. This endowment shall be known as [Name of the Endowment].