Question 1

Bequests

Accepted Answer

Your charitable bequest is the most important type of gift for building O’Dowd’s future. When received, your bequest will be recorded as a gift to our endowment where it will strengthen the organization for future generations.

There are three types of bequests for you to consider. Residual bequests are often made after making specific bequests to relatives, friends and charities. Whatever remains after specific bequests (the residuary) can be given in percentage to charity and others.

When you place a specific or residual / percentage bequest in your will or living trust and notify O’Dowd, we will invite you to become a member of the 1951 Heritage Society. If you are considering a restriction, we encourage dialogue now to ensure that your wishes are met.

Specific:
"I give, devise and bequeath to Bishop O’Dowd High School, a nonprofit corporation of the State of California, tax ID #94-1547088, located at 9500 Stearns Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605,

Choose one:
1) The sum of $___________." 
2) __________ shares of stock in ________________Company.", or
3) my real property commonly known as _________________."

Residual / Percentage:
"I give, devise and bequeath to Bishop O’Dowd High School, a nonprofit corporation of the State of California, tax ID #94-1547088, located at 9500 Stearns Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605, all the residue of my estate.” Or … “__% of my estate.”

Contingent: 
"In the event of the death of any of the beneficiaries, I give, devise and bequeath to Bishop O’Dowd High School, a nonprofit corporation of the State of California, tax ID #94-1547088, located at 9500 Stearns Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605, (specific or residual language as above)."

For more information:  Rebecca Bischoff / rbischoff@bishopodowd.org

Let Us Know
If you have included O’Dowd in your estate planning, or are considering it, please let us know!

Question 2

Legacy Gifts

Accepted Answer

Your legacy gift to O’Dowd will help our students receive a high quality, Catholic education. The vast majority of legacy gifts are made by bequest through a will or trust.

There are also life income gifts that provide you a steady stream of revenue, offer significant tax advantage, and ultimately benefit us. Many types of assets, in addition to cash, can be used to make a legacy gift. We encourage you to work with your professional advisors and our staff experts to help you determine which type of legacy gift is best for you.

In addition, there are many free and easy legacy gifts you can make without incurring the services of your professional advisor. All you need to do is fill out your provider’s paperwork for the following gifts:
IRA or pension plan			life insurance
stocks and bonds			savings / checking accounts
donor advised fund			commercial annuity

The key to setting up these gifts is contacting the institution that holds your asset. Ask them for a beneficiary form. Some firms refer to them as a designation form. Yet others as a “payment on death” form.

It’s important to remember that when you fill out the form, and you also have language in your will or living trust about the same asset, if there is a discrepancy, the form takes precedence over the will or trust. This is because you have a contract with the firm, and that form fits within the scope of the contract. The will or trust does not.

For more information:  Rebecca Bischoff / rbischoff@bishopodowd.org

Let Us Know
If you have included O’Dowd in your estate planning, or are considering it, please let us know!

Question 3

Life Income Gifts

Accepted Answer

Charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts provide a gift to O’Dowd, income for life, favorable tax treatments, and other benefits.

A charitable gift annuity is a simple contract between you and a charity. A portion of the income you receive for life is free of tax. Annuities work best for those 70 and older – the older you are when making this type of gift, the more income you receive.

Charitable remainder trusts are similar to annuities, and are also more complex. O’Dowd can provide you information about each of these gifts and their many options.

For more information:  Rebecca Bischoff / rbischoff@bishopodowd.org

Let Us Know
If you have included O’Dowd in your estate planning, or are considering it, please let us know!

Question 4

Free and Easy Gifts

Accepted Answer

There are many types of legacy gifts that are simply a matter of filling out your provider’s paperwork.  Here’s the list:

IRA or pension plan          life insurance
stocks and bonds              savings / checking accounts
donor advised fund          commercial annuity

The key to setting up these gifts is contacting the institution that holds your asset. Ask them for a beneficiary form. Some firms refer to them as a designation form. Yet others as a “payment on death” form.

It’s important to remember that when you fill out the form, and you also have language in your will or living trust about the same asset, if there is a discrepancy, the form takes precedence over the will or trust. This is because you have a contract with the firm, and that form fits within the scope of the contract. The will or trust does not.

For more information:  Rebecca Bischoff / rbischoff@bishopodowd.org

Let Us Know
If you have included O’Dowd in your estate planning, or are considering it, please let us know!

LEGACY GIVING

O’Dowd’s Tax ID #94-1547088

Legacy Gift Stories

“Supporting students is a living legacy to Anna and our family.”

“I want to make sure young kids, like me, get a good education, go on to college, and do the right thing.”

“O’Dowd has always been supportive and shown compassion.”

“Opportunities are essential for our young people.”

“I was raised to get involved and help out.”

“I just have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for what I received.”

Bequests

Legacy Gifts

Life Income Gifts

Free and Easy Gifts

Ways to Give:

REMEMBERING O'DOWD

“My classmates accepted me. Same with the faculty.”
–Earl JOHson '61

Dragon Legacy Circle

Rebecca Bischoff,
Chief Development Officer

LEGACY GIVING

O’Dowd’s Tax ID #94-1547088

Legacy Gift Stories

“Supporting students is a living legacy to Anna and our family.”

“I want to make sure young kids, like me, get a good education, go on to college, and do the right thing.”

“O’Dowd has always been supportive and shown compassion.”

“Opportunities are essential for our young people.”

“I was raised to get involved and help out.”

“I just have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for what I received.”

Bequests

Legacy Gifts

Life Income Gifts

Free and Easy Gifts

Ways to Give:

REMEMBERING O'DOWD

“My classmates accepted me. Same with the faculty.” –Earl JOHson '61

Dragon Legacy Circle

​

Rebecca Bischoff, Chief Development Officer

“My classmates accepted me. Same with the faculty.”
–Earl JOHson '61

Rebecca Bischoff,
Chief Development Officer