Our work to bring the principles of liberty and free enterprise to the people of Illinois is a vision with a long horizon. We are committed to this mission in this generation and in the generations to come.
The Illinois Policy Institute’s Prairie State Alliance was created to recognize those special individuals who share this commitment and have included the Illinois Policy Institute in their long-term plans through a bequest or trust, by beneficiary designation, or other financial planning arrangement.
We hope you will consider leaving a lasting legacy that reflects your values by including the Illinois Policy Institute in your estate plans.
- There is no minimum gift. Every legacy gift matters to us.
- You will be invited to contribute a message and photo to our Voices of the Prairie – the Illinois Policy Institute’s collection of legacy statements – a wonderful way to share with loved ones and the next generation the values that brought you to the Illinois Policy family and your vision for Illinois’ future as a beacon of prosperity, shining across America.
Estate planning doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Here are some ideas among many for leaving a legacy gift with the Illinois Policy Institute that meets your personal goals.
| Your Goal | Your Strategy | Your Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Make an important impact on our vision that doesn’t cost you anything during your lifetime, but is a meaningful legacy that you leave behind. | Create a bequest in your will or trust (cash, specific property, or a portion or percentage of the estate). | Simple to arrange, and a great way to provide resources that will help the Illinois Policy Institute for years to come. |
| Make a difference in our work now, and avoid capital gains liability by taking an income tax deduction during your lifetime. | Use appreciated securities or other assets instead of cash to make your gift. | Minimizes taxes while seeing the benefits of your gift and receiving recognition during your lifetime. |
| Leave more of your estate to your heirs, while still benefiting the Illinois Policy Institute. | Name the Illinois Policy Institute as beneficiary of your retirement plan, since those assets may be taxed twice if left to your heirs. | Eliminate income tax on retirement plan assets, and free up other property to pass on to your heirs. |
| Create a long-term gift that won’t draw funds from your estate. | Create a new life insurance policy, which you contribute to the Illinois Policy Institute, or donate a paid-up policy you no longer need. | Increase your ability to make a significant gift to the Illinois Policy Institute at a lower cost to you. |
| Reduce gift and estate taxes and leave more of your assets to your heirs. | Create a charitable lead trust to pay income to the Illinois Policy Institute for a fixed term, and then pay the remainder to your heirs, at reduced taxable amounts. | Reduce gift and estate taxes, and freeze the taxable value of growing assets before they pass to your family. |
| Tap into one of your most highly appreciated assets to make a gift to the Illinois Policy Institute. | Make a gift of real estate or other highly appreciated assets to the Illinois Policy Institute. | Avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax deduction. |
Prairie State Alliance members are an inspiration to others to look toward the future and learn how they can also have an enduring impact on creating a freer, more prosperous future for Illinois families.
Your willingness to be included as a member of the Prairie State Alliance encourages others to follow your example. That’s why we encourage you to let us know if you have included us in your estate or financial plan.
If you have already included the Illinois Policy Institute in your estate plans or if you are considering doing so, please contact us. We would love to hear from you and thank you for your partnership with us.
For more information on the Illinois Policy Institute’s Prairie State Alliance, please contact:
Emily McCallister
Vice President – External Relations
312-346-5700