At the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, we’re fortunate to have supporters who show up for cancer patients and families in so many ways.
Some make an annual gift. Others participate in events, become monthly Bridge Builders, create peer-to-peer fundraisers, or share our mission with friends and family.
No matter how they choose to give, they help make it possible for JAF to provide help, hope, and a reason to smile when cancer turns a family’s world upside down.
Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing information about different ways supporters can create a lasting impact through legacy giving. And we’d like to start with one of the simplest: including the Joe Andruzzi Foundation in your will or estate plans.
What Is a Legacy Gift?
A legacy gift—sometimes called a planned gift—is a way to support the causes you care about through your estate plans.
For many people, the easiest way to create a legacy is through a bequest, which is simply a gift made through a will or living trust.
Unlike a charitable gift made today, a bequest doesn’t affect your current finances. You maintain control of your assets during your lifetime, and you can update your plans as your circumstances change.
It’s a simple yet powerful way to ensure that the values you hold today continue to make a difference tomorrow.
Why Consider a Legacy Gift to JAF?
Every day, we see the challenges cancer patients and families face throughout New England.
A cancer diagnosis often brings more than medical concerns. It can mean lost income, mounting bills, transportation challenges, food insecurity, and difficult choices no family should have to make.
That’s where JAF steps in.
Through our Financial Assistance Program, Food Security Program, Treatment Transportation Program, Extraordinary Needs Program, and (Up)Beat Events, we help ease some of the burdens that accompany a cancer diagnosis so families can focus on what matters most.
A legacy gift helps ensure that JAF can continue showing up for cancer patients and families not only today, but for years and generations to come.
You Don’t Have to Be Wealthy to Leave a Legacy
One of the most common misconceptions about planned giving is that it’s only for wealthy individuals.
The truth is that legacy gifts come in all sizes.
Some supporters choose to leave a specific dollar amount. Others leave a percentage of their estate or designate a portion of what remains after family members and loved ones have been cared for.
What matters most isn’t the size of the gift—it’s the difference that gift will make.
Every future gift has the potential to help a family keep the lights on, put food on the table, get to treatment appointments, or find a reason to smile during one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
A Gift That Reflects Your Values
Estate planning is about more than financial decisions. It’s about the people, values, and causes that matter most to you.
For many supporters, a legacy gift is a way to continue making a difference long after their lifetime. It reflects a commitment to helping others and ensuring that future generations of cancer patients and families have somewhere to turn when they need support.
It’s a meaningful way to say, “This mattered to me.”
Getting Started Is Easier Than You Think
If you’re considering including the Joe Andruzzi Foundation in your will or trust, your attorney or estate planning professional can help determine the best approach for your situation.
Many supporters choose one of the following options:
- A specific dollar amount
- A percentage of their estate
- A portion of the remainder of their estate after providing for loved ones
Sample Bequest Language
The following language may be helpful when discussing your charitable intentions with your attorney:
Specific Dollar Amount
“I give and bequeath $__________ to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”
Percentage of Estate
“I give and bequeath _______% of my estate to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”
Residual Bequest
“I give and bequeath all (or _______%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, to be used for its general charitable purposes.”
Let Us Know Your Plans
If you have already included the Joe Andruzzi Foundation in your estate plans, thank you.
Your commitment to helping future cancer patients and families is truly inspiring
While there is no obligation to share your plans with us, we would welcome the opportunity to thank you and learn more about your intentions. Knowing about future gifts also helps us plan for the future and continue strengthening our ability to serve families throughout New England. To share details, or for questions, you may contact Jeffrey (Jeff) J. LaValley, Senior Manager of Annual Giving at (508) 261-0630, ext. 307, or email jeff@joeandruzzifoundation.org.
As always, we encourage you to consult with your attorney, financial advisor, or estate planning professional when making decisions regarding your estate plans.
Looking Ahead
This article is the first in a series exploring legacy giving opportunities at JAF. In future installments, we’ll discuss other simple ways to create a lasting impact, including beneficiary designations through retirement accounts, gifts of life insurance, donor-advised funds, and other charitable planning options.
Together, we can strengthen JAF’s ability to serve those affected by cancer for years to come, creating a legacy of compassion, connection, and support that endures for generations.
Kindly Note
This article is intended to provide general information about legacy and planned giving opportunities at the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or estate planning advice.
Because every individual’s situation is unique, we encourage you to consult with your attorney, financial advisor, tax professional, or estate planning specialist before making decisions regarding your estate plans or charitable giving.
Any sample bequest language included in this article is provided as an example only and should be reviewed by your professional advisor.