What is the EBSC Legacy Circle? Legacy Circle members donate to EBSC through their wills, retirement plans, or other estate plans – helping to protect immigrants and asylum seekers over the long-term.

To get started, contact Lisa Hoffman, Director of Development and Communications, at lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org or 510-540-5296, Extension 133.

Immigrants fleeing violence and persecution need culturally competent legal and social assistance to find safety and begin to rebuild their lives. With your support, EBSC accompanies low-income immigrants as they navigate the legal system—from applying for asylum or other status, to gaining a green card, to attaining citizenship so they can live their lives free from fear. 

The benefits of a future gift include

  • Creating a lasting legacy for immigrant rights
  • Possible tax benefits for you and your loved ones
  • Control over how your money is used and its impact after you die
  • A variety of customizable options

We are happy to talk with you and your financial advisor about a giving vehicle that will provide for your loved ones AND restore safety and human rights for immigrants and asylum seekers.

Contact Lisa Hoffman, Director of Development and Communications, at lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org or 510-540-5296, Extension 133, to get started.

Special Benefits for Legacy Circle Members

And when you let us know you have made a legacy gift to EBSC, you will be welcomed into our Legacy Circle, a special group of our most committed supporters. Legacy Circle members receive recognition on our website, advance notice for events, invitations to VIP networking events, and opportunities to participate in special programs only for Legacy Circle members, such as our annual lunch with EBSC attorneys and staff, plus EBSC swag!  

Legacy Circle Gift Options

Following is not an exhaustive list of legacy giving options. Please consult your attorney or financial advisor to discuss the tax and financial considerations of charitable giving in your estate plan, and the best way to use these options for your goals.

Beneficiary of a bank account

You can assign East Bay Sanctuary Covenant to be a Payment on Death beneficiary of your bank account. This is one of the easiest ways to plan for a legacy gift.

Bequest

A bequest is a revocable gift made through a will. This is the most common type of planned gift, and it is very easy to set up. You can bequeath a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset, or you can choose from many other options.

See below for sample language to include in an existing will, or use FreeWill to create a legal will online for free in about 20 minutes.

“I give [_____% or $____ or the remainder of my estate after all other bequests] to East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Tax ID 94-3249753, to be used for its programs supporting low-income immigrants and asylum seekers.“

Beneficiary on retirement or life-insurance plans

You can designate EBSC as a beneficiary on your retirement plan, or as a beneficiary of your life-insurance plan. Both are easy to set up, both are revocable, and you may even be able to name one or more beneficiaries through your provider’s website in a few minutes.

Naming East Bay Sanctuary Covenant as a beneficiary of your retirement account can be an attractive option for creating your enduring legacy and reducing income and possibly estate taxes for your loved ones. Because retirement plans are taxed differently than most assets, they may become a tax liability.

Income taxes to your beneficiaries on retirement assets can be as high as 37%. This means, for example, that a $100,000 IRA will be worth only $63,000 when it gets to your loved ones.

Naming EBSC as a beneficiary of your retirement assets generates no income taxes. EBSC is tax exempt and eligible to receive the full amount, bypassing any income taxes. This means, for example, that a $100,000 IRA given to EBSC will be worth the full $100,000.

There are also many ways to provide income for yourself and your family, while you provide protection for low-income immigrant communities. Please check with your attorney or financial advisor. 

Complimentary Planning Resources

A direct contribution of retirement assets to charity as part of an estate planning strategy can be very tax efficient. Learn more from Fidelity’s guidance on donating retirement assets.

Check out the FreeWill online resource to create a free will, advance healthcare directive, and durable financial power of attorney.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about joining the EBSC Legacy Circle, contact Lisa Hoffman, Director of Development and Communications, at lisa@eastbaysanctuary.org, or call 510-540-5296, Extension 133.

Please let us know if you have already made a legacy gift to East Bay Sanctuary Covenant so we can formally thank you and bring you into our Legacy Circle.