The Legacy Society allows you to support biomedical research through a planned or estate gift to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.  Your gift will have a profound and lasting effect on people everywhere who rely on scientific advances to guarantee safe and effective medical treatment.

When you make a bequest to FNIH, we consider it an honor akin to be elevated to the status of “family.” As a member of your family, we make these commitments to you. We will be

• good stewards. We will shepherd the funds you have entrusted to us in the most responsible way possibe. You deserve nothing less.
• respectful. We will honor your wishes. If you prefer to remain anonymous or want to designate your donation for a particular program—your goals and objectives will always be paramount.
• forever grateful. We will never forget how much we are indebted to you and the commitment you have shown to us. We are honored that you would consider a legacy gift to help support research and scientific discovery at NIH.

Planning Your Will

Making a will does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. These three easy steps can help you get started.

1. Document your assets and liabilities. These include your home, investments, savings and insurance as well as mortgages, loans and credit card debt.
2. Secure the assistance of advisers. Accountants, financial advisers, and estate planning attorneys can help you create an estate plan that has a positive effect on your family and on the world you leave behind.
3. Plan to leave a legacy. Make a list of beneficiaries and what you want each to receive. If you decide to make the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health a beneficiary, please let us know so we can extend our gratitude and acknowledge your gift.

Using the Right Words

Bequests are commonly made either as “residual” or “percentage” gifts.  If you would like to name FNIH as a beneficiary of your estate, you may wish to discuss the following language with your adviser.

Residual Bequest - Allows you to give “what’s left” after your loved ones are provided for. Consider language such as:

“I bequeath the residue of my estate, after the satisfaction of all specific bequests, to The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland.”

Percentage Bequest - Allows your bequest to grow as your assets grow, adjusting as the value of your estate changes. Consider language such as:

“I bequeath to The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland, an amount equal to ____ percent of the net value of my estate.”

You may also wish to provide FNIH's Tax ID number to your advisors. That number is 52-1986675.
 

Contact Caite Gilmore for more information at 301-594-7121 or cgilmore [at] fnih [dot] org

 
“I am very excited about my partnership with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health in funding an award/lecture series at NIH by donations during my lifetime, with the provision to grow this fund by means of a legacy gift.  This is the best of two worlds - I enjoy participating in the support of outstanding science at present, and am confident that my bequest will ensure its continuation in the future.”

— Jane Sayer  
LCP, NIDDK, NIH