Give through a will or bequest
You can make a bequest by including language in your will or living trust, leaving a portion of your estate to a favorite charity like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
St. Jude patient Ava and her mom
What is a bequest?
A bequest is a gift from your estate — a transfer of cash, securities or other property made through your estate plans — and can be made to a charity like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
A bequest can be made for a specific amount, for a percentage of your estate or for all or a portion of what is left after you have made bequests to your family. To make a gift from your estate, you must sign a new will or living trust instrument, add a codicil to your present will, or make an amendment to your present trust instrument.
- You retain control and use of your assets during your lifetime.
- You may modify your bequest if your circumstances change.
- Gifts from your estate may be exempt from federal estate taxes.
- A bequest costs nothing now, yet gives you the satisfaction of knowing you have provided for a charity’s future.
What are common types of bequests?
- Specific: A gift of a specific amount or item/asset from the estate to St. Jude. See sample bequest language for this type of gift, or download a copy of our bequest information sheet.
- Residual: A gift to St. Jude made from the residue of the estate after all other wishes are fulfilled, or a percentage of the estate.
- Contingent: A gift to St. Jude only in the event that the designated beneficiaries (usually children or family members) are unable to accept the estate gift.
- Perpetual: A series of gifts to St. Jude over a period of time.
St. Jude patient Avyan
St. Jude patient Lily celebrates at her No More Chemo party after completing chemotherapy at St. Jude.
Have you left St. Jude in your estate plans?
We want to honor your generosity in a special way. Please let us know so that we can show our gratitude and better plan for the future.
Explore planned giving options
- Planned giving at St. Jude
- Creating a legacy
- Wills and bequests
- IRAs
- Donor-advised funds
- Charitable gift annuities
- Stock
- Cryptocurrency
- Foundations
- Retirement assets
- Life insurance
- Charitable lead trusts
- Charitable remainder trusts
- Bank accounts
- Mutual funds
- Savings bonds
- Outright gift of cash or check
- Real estate
How can I leave St. Jude in my estate plan as part of my legacy?
Donors can name St. Jude in their will or trust, as the beneficiary of their life insurance, bank account, retirement assets, IRA, Payable on Death (POD)* or Transfer on Death (TOD)** or establish a charitable gift annuity.
Learn more about making St. Jude part of your legacy plans.
Please see your legal and/or tax advisor for more information and to determine if a charitable bequest to/for St. Jude is right for you.
*POD, payable on death, is typically used to avoid probate on a bank account, checking, savings, money market or CD. A will in which you name beneficiaries has to go through probate.
**TOD, transfer on death, is similar. You can bequeath stocks, brokerage accounts or bonds without them having to pass through probate.
Why make St. Jude part of your legacy plans?
Families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — so they can focus on helping their child live.
When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80%, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer.
Every child deserves a chance to live their best life and celebrate every moment. When you support St. Jude, you help give kids with cancer around the world that chance. Together, we can save more lives.
Tax ID Number:
62-0646012
We are a tax-exempt, charitable institution listed in the Federal Internal Revenue Service Publication #78, "Cumulative List of Organizations," revised IRS Code 501(c)(3).
You might be interested in:
-
Giving for professional advisors
Whether you're an estate planner, attorney or financial advisor, you can help your clients create a lasting legacy through a variety of gift types.
-
Dedicate a plaque
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.
-
See the impact of your gift
St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer, no matter where they live. Your gift can help us continue our groundbreaking work.
-
Our unique operating model
There are great research institutions, great hospitals and great charities — we are all three. Learn more about our unique operating model.
-
Read our stories
St. Jude Inspire tells the stories of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to inspire trust, hope and faith in the mission that drives us: Finding cures. Saving children.®
Contact us to learn more about legacy giving through wills and bequests or if you have questions about planned giving options. Email giftplanning@alsac.stjude.org, call (800) 395-1087, or fill out the form below.