A Bequest is a statement in a Last Will and Testament naming the Community Foundation of Shelby County a charitable beneficiary. Bequests may be written into a new will or added as a codicil to an existing will. It may be in the form of a defined dollar amount or specific property, a percentage of the estate or a portion of or entire remainder of the estate.

Disclaimer: Nothing within this website should be construed as legal advice.  The following wording is for information only and should be discussed with your attorney.

Suggested Bequest Language

General Purpose Bequest

I give, devise and bequeath to The Community Foundation of Shelby County, an Ohio nonprofit corporation, _____________________________ (percentage of estate, specific dollar amount, marketable security, tangible personal property, remainder of estate, etc.).  This gift shall be devoted to the general charitable purposes of the Community Foundation of Shelby County as set forth in its governing instruments, as amended from time to time.

Specific Bequest to Create a Charitable Fund (minimum of $25,000)

I give, devise and bequeath to The Community Foundation of Shelby County, an Ohio nonprofit corporation,  _________________________________ (percentage of estate, specific dollar amount, marketable security, tangible personal property, remainder of estate, etc.) to be administered as an endowment fund. Distributions shall be used for the purpose(s) of ______________________________________  (insert specific focus of donor’s interests), with the understanding that if it shall appear to said Foundation that such restriction or condition becomes, in effect, unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the service area, that the Foundation in its sole judgment, may direct the application of the distributions of said fund to a general purpose of the Foundation closely associated with the intention of this bequest.  I request that said fund be entered on the books of the Foundation as the ______________________ Fund.

Specific Bequest to Add to an Existing Charitable Fund

I give, devise and bequeath to The Community Foundation of Shelby County, an Ohio nonprofit corporation,  _________________________________ (percentage of estate, specific dollar amount, marketable security, tangible personal property, remainder of estate, etc.)  to be added to the ______________________________ Fund.  Should this fund no longer exist, the Foundation in its sole judgment, may direct the application of the distributions of said fund to a general purpose of the Foundation closely associated with the intended purpose of _____________________________________________.