Help St. Jude save lives with legacy giving
When our kids live out their dreams, they’re also fulfilling your legacy. Make life your legacy and help St. Jude save even more kids like Lila by leaving St. Jude in your estate plans or giving through a legacy gift.
We are grateful for our supporters, who generously give the majority of funds needed to operate and sustain St. Jude. Are we part of your legacy plan?
St. Jude patient Lila, then and now
What is legacy giving?
Legacy giving is charitable giving that you strategically plan now that benefits a nonprofit or charity after your lifetime. When you plan a legacy gift to St. Jude, you make an impact on children around the world with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
What is estate planning?
Estate planning is simply the act of clearly identifying how you want your estate to be handled and how your assets are transferred after you pass. Estate planning is essential for everyone, as it ensures your wishes are honored, your loved ones are cared for, and your charitable goals are achieved.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material is prepared and made available to you for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. You should always consult a tax professional to determine your particular tax benefits that may result from any particular type of gift to charity.
St. Jude patient Mila and her mom
Types of legacy gifts
Legacy gifts can be made in numerous ways, including:
Why leave a legacy gift to St. Jude?
When you leave a legacy gift to St. Jude in your will or estate plan, you’re making an impact that lasts generations. By including St. Jude in your will or estate plan, you can:
- make an impact that will live on through the lives of those you helped save.
- gain satisfaction in knowing your legacy helps support the causes you care about.
- help reduce federal estate taxes because there’s no limit to the value of charitable bequest assets that can be deducted from the total estate’s value.
How supporters include hope in their estate plans
A bust of founder Danny Thomas at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
When you designate a legacy gift to St. Jude in your estate plans, you'll also gain the opportunity to become part of a unique group of supporters as a member of the Danny Thomas — St. Jude Society.
Named for St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, this distinguished group of donors has made the ultimate commitment to carry on Danny’s legacy to help save the lives of children around the world.
Membership in the Danny Thomas — St. Jude Society includes the following exclusive benefits:
- your name inscribed on the St. Jude Legacy Wall
- certificate of membership to the society
- engagement with a personal St. Jude representative
- exclusive mailings with St. Jude updates
- invitations to virtual and in-person events in your area
- invitation to the annual Danny Thomas - St. Jude Society event in Memphis, Tenn.
Commemorate your donation on our Legacy Wall
The St. Jude Legacy Wall is another way of honoring you for making a commitment to St. Jude in your estate plans.
When you generously plan a legacy donation to St. Jude, your name will be part of our campus in Memphis, Tennessee, as a permanent tribute to your faithful support. To show our appreciation for your gift, we will inscribe your name on the St. Jude Legacy Wall located in the Danny Thomas Research Center.
Common questions about legacy gifts to St. Jude
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Legacy giving is charitable giving that you plan during your lifetime and designate to a nonprofit organization after your death. This type of giving is typically arranged through a will, trust, retirement account, or other estate planning tools. By including St. Jude in your plans, your legacy gift helps support lifesaving research and treatment for children in the future.
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To include St. Jude in your estate plan, you can:
- Add a bequest in your will or living trust
- Name St. Jude as a beneficiary of a retirement account, IRA, or life insurance policy
- Establish a charitable trust or annuity
It’s recommended to work with an estate planning attorney or financial advisor. You can also contact St. Jude for sample bequest language and guidance.
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Leaving a legacy gift can:
- Help create a lasting impact on causes you care about
- Provide potential estate tax advantages
- Allow you to make a larger charitable contribution than may be possible during your lifetime
- Offer peace of mind knowing your values continue into the future
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No. Anyone can make a legacy gift, regardless of income level. Even a small percentage of your estate can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children at St. Jude.
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You can use a wide range of assets, including:
- Cash or securities
- Real estate
- Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s)
- Life insurance policies
- Trusts or annuities
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Many legacy gifts may help reduce estate taxes and maximize the value passed on to your loved ones and charitable causes. Because tax situations vary, it’s important to consult with a qualified tax professional.
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Yes. Most legacy gifts, such as bequests in a will, can be modified at any time as your circumstances or priorities change.
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St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is recognized as a leading nonprofit for pediatric treatment and research. Approximately 82 cents of every dollar supports treatment, research, and future needs—helping ensure your legacy gift has a meaningful and lasting impact.
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material is prepared and made available to you for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide or be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. You should always consult a tax professional to determine your particular tax benefits that may result from any particular type of gift to charity.
Please contact us to let us know you have made or want to make St. Jude part of your legacy so that we can honor your generosity and better plan for the future. Email giftplanning@stjude.org, call (800) 395-1087, or fill out the form below, and a St. Jude representative will contact you.
Are you a financial advisor, estate planner or attorney? Call (800) 837-2757, email advisor@stjude.org or fill out this Advisors form instead.
Why choose St. Jude?
How much of $1 goes to patients and research?
82 cents of every dollar supports the treatment, research and future needs of St. Jude.
How does St. Jude help families?
St. Jude provides customized care for some of the world's sickest children. And your support allows St. Jude to provide treatments at no cost.
Is St. Jude a good charity?
St. Jude is consistently ranked as one of the best places to donate by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.
You might also be interested in:
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Planned giving options
With planned giving, you can achieve your financial goals while supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude.
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Naming gift opportunities
Find a special place on the St. Jude campus to show your support for patients, families, discoveries and our lifesaving mission with a personalized plaque.
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See the impact of your gift
Major gifts to St. Jude through stock, DAFs, CGAs and more help ensure the pioneering research and unsurpassed patient care today can impact future generations.