Should I make a will?
Yes, everyone can benefit from creating a will! Making a will can give you clarity and comfort with how your assets, properties and belongings are managed after your life. A will gives you a chance to give to those people and causes that are most important to you.
St. Jude patient Reid
Benefits of making a will
You ensure that you have a final say in how your assets are distributed and who gains control of your finances, even after death.
You determine who manages your estate.
You identify who becomes the primary caretaker(s) of your children under age 18 and your pets.
You provide clarity on important family decisions, ensuring your wishes are honored.
You can give through your will in a way that may not be financially feasible during your lifetime, making a lasting impact on those who you designate in your will.
You choose how to support your favorite charities, causes and organizations through bequest gifts.
You can make a significant impact with a simple setup. Once you have established a will, you can also modify your bequest if circumstances change.
You may be eligible for potential estate tax benefits because there’s no limit to the value of charitable bequest assets that can be deducted from the total estate’s value.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material is prepared and made available to you for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. You should always consult a tax professional to determine your particular tax benefits that may result from any particular type of gift to charity.
What is a bequest?
St. Jude patient Eri'Elle
When you create a will, you can designate a beneficiary to receive some portion of your assets. This planned gift is called a bequest.
Charitable bequests are specifically made to a charitable organization, like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. This type of bequest can be a transfer of cash, securities or property made through your estate plans.
What happens when I leave a bequest to St. Jude in my will or estate plan?
When you designate a bequest or legacy gift to St. Jude in your estate plans, you become part of a unique group of supporters who are helping ensure that the pioneering research and unsurpassed patient care provided today continues for future generations. This loyal group is honored in the following ways:
- You become a valued member of the Danny Thomas – St. Jude Society.
- You receive exclusive invitations to St. Jude events and updates throughout the year.
- You gain recognition on the St. Jude campus on the St. Jude Legacy Wall.
- You help provide lifesaving treatment for children fighting childhood cancer and other pediatric catastrophic diseases.
- You help fund lifesaving research and patient care, ensuring families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food— so they can focus on helping their child live.
Learn more about making St. Jude part of your legacy plans.
A bust of founder Danny Thomas at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Ways to leave St. Jude in your estate plans
Donors can leave a legacy gift for the children of St. Jude in several ways.
- Bequest: You can make a bequest by including language in your will or living trust, leaving a portion of your estate to St. Jude.
- Beneficiary Designation(s): You can name St. Jude as a beneficiary of your bank accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policy, donor-advised fund (DAF) and retirement assets including IRAs.
- Charitable Gift Annuity: You can make an irrevocable gift to support St. Jude while providing a source of fixed income for life to you or another annuitant.
- Payable on Death (POD) and Transfer on Death (TOD) Designations: By setting up a POD or TOD designation on your bank accounts, certificates of deposit or brokerage accounts, you can transfer these assets at your death to the person(s) or charity(-ies) that you name.
Local representatives are available to speak with you about meaningful ways you can support the children and work of St. Jude.
Let us know you are interested on the form below, and a St. Jude representative will reach out to you.
Tax ID Number:
62-0646012
We are a tax-exempt, charitable institution listed in the Federal Internal Revenue Service Publication #78, "Cumulative List of Organizations," revised IRS Code 501(c)(3).
Hear from our St. Jude supporters
-
A lifetime of giving leads to a legacy of hope
Jackie Rewert’s eyes sparkle as she describes her husband Paul’s philanthropic heart. Inspired by a personal loss, Paul supports St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a mission that has become a significant part of their lives. Together, they contribute to a cause that brings hope and healing to children and families in need.
-
Seattle couple’s giving fuels St. Jude immunology research
Seattle couple Chris and Margery Yetman support St. Jude's immunology research with a $500,000 donation, fueling advancements in childhood cancer treatment.
-
Enduring support from the Ferrises
Michael and Susan Ferris have supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for over four decades. Michael's journey with St. Jude began in 1972 when his brother was treated for leukemia.
Why donate to St. Jude?
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered largely incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you can help make cures possible for kids with cancer. Together, we can save more lives.
Our Gift Planning department has a representative in your area who can provide further information or help you prepare the right questions to ask your financial advisor to determine what type of planned gift may be right for you.
If you have made St. Jude part of your legacy through a bequest or will, please let us know so that we can honor your generosity and better plan for the future.
Email giftplanning@alsac.stjude.org, call (800) 395-1087, or fill out the form below, and a St. Jude representative will contact you.
You might also be interested in:
-
Donate through IRA
Donating retirement assets can be a tax-efficient way to include St. Jude in your estate plan. Learn more about how to make this type of gift.
-
Donate through DAFs
You can help save lives when you grant from your donor-advised fund (DAF) to St. Jude.
-
Donate through CGAs
Your charitable gift annuity can support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude and provide supplemental income for you.