Gift Planning at Chicago Humanities
The Franke Legacy Circle
For 35 years, Chicago Humanities has inspired creativity and connection through shared events and experiences you won't find anywhere else in Chicago. But the most crucial part of Chicago Humanities is you!
Chicago Humanities is ready to help you leave a planned gift, and to become a treasured member of the Franke Legacy Circle. There are many ways to leave a planned gift to Chicago Humanities, free of any estate tax, including: bequests in your will or trust; naming Chicago Humanities as a beneficiary of your life insurance, IRA, or retirement plans; or purchasing a charitable gift annuity.
As a member of our Franke Legacy Circle, you will receive invitations to special events and receptions throughout the year. To join the Franke Legacy Circle, all you need to do is notify us that Chicago Humanities is included in your planned giving via any of the vehicles named above.
For more information, contact us at development@chicagohumanities.org or (312) 661-1028 x2
Your Legacy Provides for Our Future
There are numerous ways to make a planned gift to Chicago Humanities and provide potential tax benefits to your estate and/or heirs. You can notify us of your plans by downloading our Letter of Intent and returning it to us.
Here are a few ways to ensure our future that you can discuss with your advisors:
A GIFT THROUGH YOUR WILL OR TRUST
A direct gift through your will or revocable trust is one of the easiest ways to remember the Festival and allow us the greatest flexibility to use your gift where it is needed most. Sample language to use or to share with your attorney is:
I hereby bequeath and give to Chicago Humanities Festival , an Illinois not-for-profit
corporation whose address is 500 N Dearborn Ave, # 825, Chicago, IL 60654, Tax ID #36-
7148236, (the sum of $_________) or (_____ % of the residue of my estate) for its general
purposes.
RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS
You can designate Chicago Humanities as a beneficiary of your retirement plan as part of your planning. Our nonprofit tax-exempt status and the ease with which you can make this designation can provide tax advantages for your heirs.
LIFE INSURANCE
Existing insurance policies that are no longer need for family members or other beneficiaries may be donated to Chicago Humanities by transferring ownership of the policy or naming us as a beneficiary. Your estate may be entitled to a charitable deduction for the proceeds passing to Chicago Humanities.
About the Franke Legacy
The future of Chicago Humanities relies on the Franke Legacy Circle, our community of donors who have included Chicago Humanities in their estate plans. These esteemed supporters have designated a special gift to benefit Chicago Humanities in the future through bequests, life insurance, IRAs, trusts, or other planned-giving arrangements.
Named after Richard Franke, Chicago Humanities’ founder, the Franke Legacy Circle honors Richard and Barbara Franke’s dedication and commitment to the humanities. In 1988, Richard Franke founded the Chicago Humanities Festival, joining Chicago's premier cultural institutions in a literary and artistic celebration of the humanities.