The Red Cross has a long history of helping those in need during times of disaster, teaching first aid and lifesaving education and keeping American troops in touch with loved ones at home. Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, all Red Cross programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift to the Red Cross helps to ensure the future of the services and programs we provide in our community and worldwide and may further your financial goals.

Planned gifts include gifts through a bequest in your will, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, pooled income funds, gifts of life insurance and retirement plan assets.

There are a number of possibilities for completing a planned gift to the American Red Cross, Broward County Chapter that do not require large amounts of assets. 

For example, you can:

• Name the Red Cross, Broward County Chapter as POD (Pay On Death) beneficiary on your checking, savings, money market, or stock account. This only requires executing the proper forms with your financial institution.
• Name the Red Cross, Broward County Chapter as a beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) for a specific amount or percentage of your 401-K, 403-B, IRA, or other retirement plan. This only requires filling out a new beneficiary form.
• Make the Red Cross, Broward County Chapter the beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of all or part of an existing life insurance policy OR, if you do not presently own life insurance, purchase a life insurance policy especially for this purpose. For example, a healthy 33 year old non-smoking female with a good driving record who does not engage in hazardous activities (bungee jumping, for instance) can purchase $50,000 of term life coverage for as little as $75.00 per year, with the premium guaranteed for ten years. For additional savings, you can let the Red Cross own the policy and make a tax-deductible contribution each year to pay the premiums!
• Execute a codicil to your existing will naming the Red Cross, Broward County Chapter as a beneficiary, or a contingent beneficiary, for a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. These can usually be done at very minimal cost.

And remember: Everyone, no matter how little he or she may have in the way of tangible assets, needs a will! This is especially true if one has children, for without a will, the state decides who serves as their guardian when parents are deceased. The good news is that the fewer assets one has, the less complicated his/her estate will be, and the less it will cost to draw up a will.

If you are interested in learning more about various forms of planned giving, please contact

The Legacy Society

Please let us know if you have made arrangements for a bequest or other planned gift. We would like to honor your commitment by enrolling you in the Legacy Society. (You will remain anonymous, if you wish.) Please call Kathryn J. Cousins, Chief Development Officer, at (954) 797-3807 if you have questions or would like to share information about your estate plans.