You may insert the following language into your will (or in a codicil to your will) to make a simple bequest:
I give to the Fishtown Preservation Society, Inc. (FPS), a non-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of Michigan, and with the current business address of 203 E. Cedar Street, P.O. Box 721, Leland, MI, 49654, the sum of $________ to be used in the furtherance of its exempt charitable purposes.
OR: all of my interest in the following described property: ______________________.
OR:______ percent or all of the residue of my estate.
You may also include additional wording with specific instructions as to how and when your bequest is to be used:
to be used as the Board of Directors of FPS shall determine.
OR: to be used for the benefit of ______________________ (listing a particular area of interest or a geographical area).
This additional wording will allow for some built-in flexibility as times change:
If in future years, the above stated purpose is no longer necessary, practical, or possible, the Board of Directors of FPS shall use its discretion to designate this gift for a purpose closely related to the donor’s original purpose in furtherance of its exempt purposes.
What if my estate needs are more complex?
These guidelines can only be general, and we recommend that you check with an attorney in making your will and other estate plans. That’s because we at Fishtown Preservation do not have the expertise to act as your financial or legal planner or advisor.
However, when you are working with your estate planner and wish to include Fishtown Preservation in those plans, we will be happy to work with that estate planner to make sure we understand and honor your wishes.