Frequently Asked Questions About Planned Giving

What is a planned gift?

A planned gift is an arrangement for a contribution to be made to a non-profit organization on your behalf at a future date.

In what ways may a planned gift have benefit for me?

A planned gift gives you a chance to leave a legacy with an organization whose mission you value.

A planned gift gives you the opportunity to designate how your assets will be used in the future. If you have a commitment to an organization during your lifetime, a planned gift gives you the ability to support that organization for an extended period, even after your lifetime.

Some planned gifts can provide income for you (and if desired, another person) for the rest of your life and that of the other person.

Some planned gifts are revocable, excluding those that provide income to you and/or another person, which means if your circumstances change, you can change your intent.

With retirement assets, your heirs may need to pay income tax, if income tax was not paid when the asset went into the plan. If that asset goes to a non-profit organization, the organization does not need to pay any deferred income tax. More of the asset goes to a non-profit than would go to an heir.

What is the Radiation Oncology Institute Legacy Circle?

A recognition program for those individuals who make a provision for ROI in his/her will, through a retirement plan or insurance policy, or with a trust to benefit the Radiation Oncology Institute. By recognizing those who have made provisions for ROI, others are encouraged to follow the example and, likewise, make provisions for ROI in their plans.

How will I be recognized for my planned gift?

You will become a member of the ROI Legacy Circle.

You will receive recognition, if desired, on the Radiation Oncology Institute website and in publications, such as The Visionary newsletter.

You will be recognized at events where donors to ROI are acknowledged and thanked for their support.

You may make your gift anonymously, if you choose.

What benefits do I receive as a member of the ROI Legacy Circle?

The satisfaction of knowing you will be making a difference in the years ahead for the radiation oncology field.

You will be able to share your story with others who care about radiation oncology as you do.

You will receive communication from ROI on a regular basis, including The Visionary newsletter.

How do I become a member of the ROI Legacy Circle?

Membership is easy. No immediate donation is necessary.

Name the Radiation Oncology Institute as a beneficiary in your will, retirement plan, insurance policy or trust.

Complete and return the gift intention form to the Radiation Oncology Institute.

How do I include the Radiation Oncology Institute in my will?

You should consult with your attorney and add a provision to your will. You may be able to add a codicil to your will without needing to change the actual will.

Sample wording for a provision in your will:
Legal Name:
The Radiation Oncology Institute
251 18th Street South, 8th Floor
Arlington, VA 22202
Tax ID Number: 51- 0178702

Unrestricted Bequest

I, (full name) of (city state, zip code), give, devise and bequeath a gift of (insert amount of cash, percentage of assets or description of property) to the Radiation Oncology Institute for the use and benefit of the Radiation Oncology Institute.

(Sample wording for other types of provisions in your will are available.)

How can I make a gift through my retirement plan or insurance policy?

To make a provision of the Radiation Oncology Institute through a retirement plan or insurance policy, you should contact the person who can change your beneficiaries; remember that assets can be divided among multiple beneficiaries.

May I designate how my planned gift is used by the Radiation Oncology Institute?

While unrestricted gifts allow ROI to use the dollars wherever the need is greatest, you may designate that your planned gift be used for a specific purpose if that purpose is within the scope of work of ROI. For example, gifts may be designated for research or for endowment. A gift for specific types of research and other gifts for purposes that are outside the projects conducted by ROI may not be able to be used.  

May my planned gift be used to create a named fun or an endowment fund?

Yes, if the amount of the gift is sufficient to meet the minimum required for a named fund or an endowed fund at the time the gift is received by ROI. As these amounts change periodically, you should include in your provision that you wish your gift to be used to establish a named or endowment fund “if the amount of the gift meets the required minimum” and should indicate the purpose for which the gift is to be used if the gift does not meet the minimum requirement. You may choose to indicate the purpose as “wherever the need is greatest.

If I, my attorney or advisors, or members of my family have questions, to whom should we refer those questions?

For questions about planned giving and about the ROI Legacy Circle, please contact Janet Hedrick at 703-839-7340 or janet.hedrick@astro.org.

This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney.