Friends Foundation Planned Giving

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Plan Your Legacy with a Future Gift

For more than 45 years, West Des Moines Human Services has been a trusted source of help and hope for neighbors facing hardship. By including us in your estate plans, you ensure that local families continue to have access to the resources they need to live healthy, stable, and productive lives.

What is the Friends Foundation?

The West Des Moines Human Services Friends Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2015. As the fundraising arm of our department, the Foundation members and the Human Services Advisory Board coordinate annual events and campaigns. These funds directly support essential programs for low-income households in our community.

Why Your Gift Matters

Since 1979, we have served low-income residents, older adults, and individuals with disabilities throughout West Des Moines and the surrounding western suburbs. Today, we assist more than 7,300 individuals each year through:

Emergency rent and utility assistance
Food and clothing support
Youth recreational assistance
Specialized programs for seniors and individuals

Our staff is committed to providing a welcoming environment where everyone is treated with compassion and dignity. A planned gift helps ensure these vital services remain available for generations to come.

What is Planned Giving?

Planned giving (also called legacy or deferred giving) is the transfer of a portion of your assets to a charity during your lifetime or as part of your estate plan. This allows you to decide exactly what kind of impact you want to make while supporting the causes that matter most to you.

Benefits of Planned Giving

With thoughtful planning and professional guidance, a planned gift can help you:

Reduce income, gift, and estate taxes
Secure a source of income or cash flow for your lifetime
Reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. We strongly recommend seeking guidance from a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making any planned giving decisions.

Wills and Living Trusts

A charitable gift made through a will or a living trust is one of the most flexible ways to support our work. This type of gift (often called a bequest) allows you to support West Des Moines Human Services while keeping full control of your money and property during your lifetime.

How it works:

You can leave a specific dollar amount, a piece of property, or a percentage of what is left in your estate.
You can change your mind at any time if your financial needs change.
Giving through a will or trust may also help reduce the taxes your estate has to pay.

If you are interested in including West Des Moines Human Services in your will or trust, we would love to talk with you. Please call us at 515-222-3663 or email FriendsOfWDMHS@gmail.com to learn more.

Retirement Plan Assets

One of the easiest ways to support our mission is to name West Des Moines Human Services as a beneficiary of your retirement plan. This includes plans like an IRA, 401(k), or pension.

Why this is a great option:

It’s Simple: You usually only need to fill out a "Change of Beneficiary" form with your plan provider. You do not need to change your will or trust.
Flexible: You can leave all or just a specific percentage of the plan to us.
Tax Savings: Giving retirement assets to a non-profit can often provide significant tax benefits for your heirs and your estate.

If you have questions about designating a beneficiary, please call us at 515-222-3663 or email FriendsOfWDMHS@gmail.com.

Other Planned Gift Options

There are many other ways to create a lasting legacy. Each of these gifts helps ensure that West Des Moines Human Services can continue to support our neighbors for years to come.

Other assets you can donate include:

Securities: Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
Life Insurance: Naming us as a beneficiary of a policy you no longer need.
Savings Bonds: Tax-efficient ways to support the community.
Annuity Contracts: Donating the remaining value of an annuity.
Personal Property: Items like jewelry or collectibles (please contact us first to ensure we can accept the specific item).

Every gift, no matter the size, helps provide stability for our programs and hope for our residents. To discuss these or other options, please call us at 515-222-3663 or email FriendsOfWDMHS@gmail.com.

Legacy givers have the opportunity to provide guidance on how they would like their gift to be used, helping shape the future of West Des Moines Human Services.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you are interested in supporting our community through a legacy gift, please follow these steps:

Complete the Form: Fill out a Statement of Intent.
Submit Your Plan: You can return the form to the West Des Moines Human Services Friends Foundation by mail or email.

Contact the Friends Foundation

To discuss your options or submit your form, please reach out to us:

Email: FriendsOfWDMHS@gmail.com
Phone: 515-222-3663
Mailing Address:
West Des Moines Human Services Friends Foundation
PO Box 65393
West Des Moines, IA 50265

West Des Moines, IA

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