Bequests FAQ for International donors

How do I leave a gift in my last will and testament?
A will is a legal document that ensures your estate is distributed and your family is cared for as you direct. With a will, your wishes are carried out. Without a will, the state makes all major decisions, including how your assets will be distributed. No charitable gifts can be made from your estate without a stated designation through a will.

Naming the Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation in your will allows you to make a charitable gift and at the same time allows you to maintain control over your assets during your lifetime. The terms of your will are flexible and can be changed at any time should you need to modify your charitable bequests.

Giving to the Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation through your will is a special way to share your resources beyond your lifetime. Click here for more options for US taxpayers.

The required language is simple and the charitable gift can be either a fixed amount, a percentage of your total estate or a percentage of your estate after other gifts you provide.

Can you offer me tax or legal advice for my will?
We can assist you and your legal or tax professionals in every way possible, but cannot specifically advise you. It’s important to get specific counsel and direction for your particular situation from your independent advisors.

The beneficiary of a will has to be named precisely. It must specifically state the beneficiary as ‘Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation’. It can not just say ‘Vedic Pandits’ or ‘Maharishi Vedic Pandits’. Also, the will must include the complete address and tax ID of BSF. This is listed below.

To assist with this process, the following sample language may be useful to your attorney when drafting a simple bequest in your Last Will and Testament.

Sample language for a Specific Bequest:

“I give to Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Fairfield, Iowa, the sum of $_______ to be used for its general operating support (or for the support of a specific location or program)”.

OR

Sample language for a Percentage of Estate :

“I give _____% of my estate to Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Fairfield, Iowa.”

OR

Sample language for a Residual Bequest: A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid.

“I give and devise to Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, Fairfield, Iowa, all (or a stated percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general operating support (or for the support of a specific location or program).”

Planned Giving Coordinator
Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation
P.O. Box 2316
Fairfield, IA 52556
641-470-7027
Director@GlobalPeaceInitiative.org

You may contact Jeannie Rose – jeannie@bsf-international.org