Bequest language and legal information

The Planned Giving Department of Children's Hospital Foundation is available to provide support for a full range of charitable gift and estate planning options.

We welcome the opportunity to work with you in helping identify tax-wise and beneficial ways to support Children's Hospital of Wisconsin's charitable mission through estate giving. Please feel free to contact us directly for information or assistance on a confidential basis.

Legal name

The legal name to be used when making gifts to Children's Hospital through wills, trusts and other gift-transfer documents is:

Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Inc.,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit corporation.

Tax-exempt status

Founded in 1987, Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable, tax-exempt organization located in the state of Wisconsin. Confirmation of our tax-exempt status is provided in the form of a letter from the district director, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury. Contact Barbara Goelz at (414) 266-6180 for a copy of this letter or form W-9.

Our foundation federal tax I.D. number is 39-1500075.

Language for including us in your estate document

We suggest the following language when making a gift:

General unrestricted bequest
"I give and bequeath to Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit corporation, the sum of $_____ (OR ___ percentage OR the securities or property described herein, namely...) to be used as directed by the Board of Directors of Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Restricted bequest
"I give and bequeath to Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit corporation, the sum of $____ (OR ___ percentage OR the securities or property described herein, namely...) and request same be used as directed by the Board of Directors of Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin for ... (describe the specific program bequest is to be used for.)"

Residuary bequest
"All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, wherever situated, (OR ___ percentage of the remainder) I give, devise and bequeath to Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit corporation, to be used... (describe use as indicated under General unrestricted bequest or Restricted bequest above.)

Beneficiary designation of life insurance policy, retirement plans or financial account.
Provide insurance company, administrator of retirement plan, or financial institution with the required form and the following language: "I hereby designate Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a not-for-profit corporation, irrevocable beneficiary of Policy No. ______, Plan No. ______, or Account No. _____."

You may make your gift in your name, or you may choose to memorialize or honor a loved one through your estate gift.

Endowed named fund

If your gift will be $25,000 or more, you may wish to create an endowed named fund through your estate by including the additional following language: "I would like to establish an endowed named fund with my estate gift to Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation. I understand the income from this fund shall be used for the purpose stated herein and the principal will be protected by Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation. (Please include your choice for the name of your endowed fund and if you wish your gift to support a specific program, please specify.)

If you or your advisor have any questions or need further assistance with wording, contact Kelly Sachse at (414) 266-6121, or toll-free at (888) 543-7233. Or, e-mail us to request more information.

Planned Giving Department
Children's Hospital and Health System Foundation
M.S. 3050
P.O. Box 1997
Milwaukee, WI  53201
Fax: (414) 266-6139
Phone: (414) 266-6121
ksachse@chw.org

Distributions received from estates and trusts are added to our general endowment, unless otherwise restricted, and the income is used to operate Children's Hospital of Wisconsin programs. In this way the hospital is assured there will always be funds available, and our benefactors can be assured their philanthropic wishes will continue.

The Foundation, its employees or representatives do not offer legal or financial advice. We encourage prospective donors to consult with their attorney, financial advisor, estate planning professional, accountant or other appropriate professional before making any final decisions based on information we provide through this Web site, printed materials or other sources.