A Legacy of Caring
Founded in 1879, The Bowery Mission serves New Yorkers who are homeless, hungry, and poor. We offer a second chance to men and women overcoming homelessness, trauma, addiction, and abuse – and give a positive first chance to children otherwise at risk of getting caught in the cycle of poverty. Food, safe shelter, clothing, and medical care lead to residential programs that offer men and women the opportunity to transform their lives. Year-round enrichment activities, summer camp, mentoring, and family support empower children to find a new life direction toward a bright future.
About The 1879 Legacy Society
Your planned gift to The Bowery Mission will have meaning and impact for generations to come. Legacy giving does not require a large income or vast estate. Legacy giving only requires a thoughtful intention to make a difference by identifying a charitable organization in your will or estate plan.
Those who remember The Bowery Mission through a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or other planned gift, are invited to join in The 1879 Legacy Society. Too often, these gifts are unrecognized because we are unaware of these special gifts until the donor has passed away. At these times, proper appreciation cannot be expressed and questions regarding the specific purpose of the gift may remain unanswered.
The 1879 Legacy Society provides a way to recognize and thank donors during their lifetime(s), and ensure that their wishes are properly documented. Involvement in the Legacy Society gives you the opportunity to enjoy the company of others who, like yourself, care about leaving a legacy to care for hurting and homeless men, women, and children in our community.
You may always choose to remain anonymous in your philanthropy. However, participation in The 1879 Legacy Society can be an inspirational experience, and may encourage others to look toward the future and how they too may have an enduring impact on the causes they care about.
A signed declaration of intent to leave a gift to The Bowery Mission is encouraged but not required. Legacy Society members may designate the use of the distributions from their future gifts, or may leave the distributions to the discretion of our Board of Directors. Legacy gifts of a certain size may be used to establish a new fund or may be added to any of The Bowery Mission’s existing funds. Please contact the Mission for more details.
Benefits of Legacy Giving
Legacy giving offers a way to make a difference, far beyond the measure of one lifetime.
- Benefits of joining The 1879 Legacy Society include:
- A closer relationship with The Bowery Mission and other donors during your lifetime.
- A role in determining how your legacy gift will be used.
- Satisfaction in knowing your legacy will make a difference in the lives of hurting and homeless men, women, and children in our community.
- Special recognition in newsletters and annual reports, unless anonymity is desired.
- Invitation to a special annual reception and other special donor events. Receipt of The Bowery Mission Annual Report.
- Some planned gifts can reduce your tax burden during your lifetime (please consult your professional advisor).
Types of Planned Giving
- Gifts made through a bequest in a will or trust are not the only means of becoming a member of The 1879 Legacy Society. Other ways in which donors can apply personal resources toward the betterment of others through the Legacy Society include:
- Estates
- Bequest in a Will or Trust
- Gifts of Life Insurance
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Beneficiary Designation of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401K, 403B)
If you have already included The Bowery Mission in your estate plan, we encourage you to let us know so that we may honor you as a member of The 1879 Legacy Society.
Your planned gift puts you in good company today. Tomorrow, your gift through your estate will be multiplied with the gifts from other caring individuals and families... transforming lives for generations to come.
For more information, contact Kim Collins at 646-362-3116 or kcollins@bowery.org.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance. A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at 90 Lafayette Street, Fl 6, New York, NY 10013. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.