Legacy Giving

Create your philanthropic legacy by giving to the Hertz Foundation in your will, trust or other plans.

Our community of extraordinary Hertz Fellows relies on your generosity to accelerate groundbreaking research and strengthen our nation’s security and global leadership. And there are many different ways you can arrange a meaningful gift to the Hertz Foundation.

If you are considering a legacy gift, we would be delighted to discuss opportunities and answer questions you may have. All conversations are held in the strictest confidence. Please let us know by calling our our development office at 925.373.1642 (ext. 3) or submitting our Contact Us form.

Of course, we always recommend you work with your advisors to determine which gifts are most appropriate for you.

Benefits of Legacy Giving

  • Make no changes to your current cash flow and financial plans.
  • You don't have to use cash to make your gift.
  • “Buy low and give high” by making your gift with appreciated securities.
  • Give assets you no longer want or need.
  • Become a member of the Order of Magnitude, our special giving community.

Types of Legacy Giving

Bequests Through Your Will

After providing for your loved ones, you can make a bequest through your will that directs a portion of your estate to the Hertz Foundation. Your bequest serves as a powerful reminder of the values and principles that guide your life while supporting the most promising innovators in science and technology throughout their careers.

There is no limit to the amount of charitable gifts that are deductible for gift and estate tax purposes. You can leave a specific dollar amount or a specific property, a percentage of your estate, or what's left of your estate after other bequests and taxes are satisfied. Estate planning documents should be prepared in consultation with your attorney and with the foundation.

Sample bequest language:
“I hereby give to the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation the following described property: __, to be used to advance the foundation's mission.”

Life Insurance

If you have a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for its intended purpose, you can use it as a charitable gift to the foundation. For example, corporate executives are sometimes offered a life insurance policy as part of their compensation, and they can make a charitable organization the beneficiary of that policy. A gift of all or a portion of the value of the life insurance will provide income tax savings today and estate tax savings down the road.

Retirement Plans

For many people, retirement accounts are the most significant source of funds accumulated during their lifetime. There are several ways to use your retirement accounts to make a charitable donation.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Distribution

If you are 72 years or older and own an IRA, you’re eligible to give up to $100,000 per year of your qualified charitable distributions to the foundation. The money counts toward your required minimum distributions but doesn’t increase your adjusted gross income or generate a tax bill.

Name Hertz Foundation the Beneficiary

You can name the Hertz Foundation as the beneficiary of your retirement plan accounts, either through the plan directly or through a bequest in your will. Retirement plan assets are ideal for funding a charitable gift at death because you can avoid estate and income taxes that reduce the final value of your estate or retirement plan.


We Want To Thank You

If you have included a gift for the Hertz Foundation in your estate plan, we want to thank you for your special commitment. We will be honored to include you as a member of The Order of Magnitude, anonymously if you prefer, and invite you to exclusive events.

Please let us know by calling our our development office at 925.373.1642 (ext. 3) or submitting our Contact Us form.

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More Ways to Give

Every gift to the Hertz Foundation fuels groundbreaking research and helps strengthen our nation's security and economic vitality. That's why we offer a range of opportunities to make it easy and convenient for you to make your donation.