Legacy Society & Planned Giving
United Way of Southern Maine’s Legacy Society honors those who make the extraordinary decision to invest in the future of our community through a planned gift to United Way of Southern Maine, as well as outright gifts to our endowment.
Membership in the Legacy Society offers a meaningful way to leave an enduring personal legacy for the community that’s become such an important part of your life and to inspire others to do the same.
Legacy Society sponsor
What is planned giving?
Planned giving is a charitable gift made during your lifetime or at death as part of your overall financial and/or estate planning. It allows you to support United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM) in a meaningful way while aligning with your broader financial goals.
Gifts can include cash, appreciated stock, life insurance, real estate, personal property, and retirement assets. Planned giving can provide tax advantages and the lasting satisfaction of creating a meaningful legacy.
Types of Planned Gifts
Outright Gifts
Simple, immediate gifts that directly support UWSM:
- Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): Up to $108,000 (2025) from an IRA, with no income tax
- Appreciated securities: Potentially avoid capital gains tax
- Cash, real estate, or other assets
Gifts That Provide Income
Support UWSM while generating income:
- Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA): Fixed lifetime payments in exchange for a gift
- Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): Income stream to you or a beneficiary; remainder goes to charity
- Charitable Lead Trust (CLT): Income to charity for a period, with remaining assets passing to heirs
Gifts Upon Death
Create a lasting legacy through your estate:
- Bequests: Through a will or trust
- Life insurance: Naming UWSM as beneficiary
- Retirement assets: A highly tax-efficient way to give
Strategies to Maximize Impact
Thoughtful planning can enhance both your philanthropic impact and financial outcomes:
- Donate low-basis appreciated assets to reduce capital gains tax
- Use “charitable bunching” to optimize deductions
- Incorporate giving into your estate plan to reduce potential estate taxes
- Utilize a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) for flexibility and timing
Let’s Start the Conversation
If you are thinking about a planned gift or joining our Legacy Society, contact Cam Peden and let’s build a plan together.
Planned giving is often mutually beneficial—allowing you to support the Southern Maine community in a meaningful way, while also aligning with your financial, tax, and estate planning objectives.
We’ll be happy to guide you through the process and, when appropriate, leverage the deep experience of our Legacy Sponsor, Clearstead Trust, along with your advisors, to support more complex strategies and ensure your plan is thoughtfully designed and executed.
For More Information
Cameron Peden
Chief People & Development Officer
United Way of Southern Maine
cpeden@uwsme.org
207.347.2303
Kenneth Morgan
President & CEO
Clearstead Trust
kmorgan@clearsteadtrust.com
207.358.1287