Bequests
It's difficult to know which charities will most effectively manifest your values in the future. Charities are constantly changing and adapting to the needs of the people they serve in a complex environment of changing personnel, regulation, and needs. As a result, their purposes and effectiveness often change over time.
Cause-focused indices allow you to earmark your legacy towards a specific cause instead of a specific charity. You may either direct Cause Focus to act as an intermediary to distribute your funds or may refer to our published allocations to direct your bequest towards several charities.
If you wish to allocate your legacy according to an index maintained by Cause Focus, we provide the appropriate language to add to your Will. This language is customized and available on each Cause page to easily copy to your document.
Distribution through Causefocus.org
Thirty percent (30%) of my residual estate shall be distributed to CauseFocus.org (“CauseFocus”) to distribute in order to [cause], in the proportions indicated at [URL specific to cause]. I hereby authorize and direct CauseFocus to use these funds to support the causes and organizations identified on causefocus.org/causes/saving-lives according to their published algorithm. I understand that CauseFocus will retain 3.25% of this bequest to pay for administrative costs.
I hereby declare that CauseFocus is a qualified charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that all funds shall be used exclusively for charitable purposes. Finally, I hereby release and discharge CauseFocus from any and all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the administration of this gift.
according to the cause-focused allocation
[Percentage] of the remaining funds of this Will shall be allocated to the charities listed on the most recently published list of charities maintained by CauseFocus.org and available at causefocus.org/cause/saving-lives. The Executor shall distribute these funds in equal amounts among the charities listed on the CauseFocus.org list. The Executor shall be entitled to rely upon the accuracy of the information provided by CauseFocus.org, and shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions in the list of charities.
specific bequest to Causefocus.org
I direct that the proceeds of the sale of [Specific Bequest] be forwarded to CauseFocus, a non-profit organization, to distribute in a manner they deem best to accomplish [Specific Cause]. I further direct that CauseFocus shall use the proceeds solely for the purpose of the [Specific Cause] and not for any other purpose.I hereby authorize and direct CauseFocus to use these funds to support the causes and organizations identified on causefocus.org/causes/saving-lives according to their published algorithm. I understand that CauseFocus will retain 3.25% of this bequest to pay for administrative costs.
I hereby declare that CauseFocus is a qualified charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that all funds shall be used exclusively for charitable purposes. Finally, I hereby release and discharge CauseFocus from any and all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the administration of this gift.
Distribution to benefit causefocus.org
I hereby bequeath [percentage or amount] of the remaining funds of my estate to CauseFocus.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to growing and improving charitable giving. I direct that these funds be used only for the furtherance of their mission.
I hereby declare that CauseFocus is a qualified charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that all funds shall be used exclusively for charitable purposes. Finally, I hereby release and discharge CauseFocus from any and all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the administration of this gift.
Likewise, new and promising charities are important to support. By giving to new charities, donors help to create a more sustainable philanthropic system, as new charities often have innovative approaches to tackling social issues.
Charities are constantly changing and adapting to the needs of the people they serve. As a result, their purposes and effectiveness often change over time. For example, a charity that was once focused on providing food for the homeless may now be focused on providing housing for the homeless. Or a charity that was once focused on providing medical care for the elderly may now be focused on providing mental health services for the elderly. In some cases, these charities continue to focus on the same cause, in others, their focus shifts. The effectiveness of a charity also changes over time as they become more knowledgeable and experienced in their field - or as their principals leave, the charities grow or shrink, and their environment changes.
Charities may also change their focus as they learn more about the needs of their target population and the most effective ways to meet those needs. In addition, charities may also change due to external factors such as new laws, regulations, or economic conditions. For example, a charity may need to adjust its focus if new laws are passed that affect how it operates or if economic conditions change and there is a need for different types of services. Identifying charities that have "cracked the code" and are able to effectively serve causes and solve problems should be the central focus of giving; our curated set of charities stay ever-green. By curating a set of charities, you can ensure that your donations are going to charities that are well-established and have a proven track record of success. This will help ensure that your donations are going to charities that are most likely to continue to be effective in the future and that your donations are making a real difference.