Planned Giving

Defending Democracy for Generations to Come

For more than a century, the League of Women Voters of Illinois has been a trusted, nonpartisan voice for voter education, civic participation, and democratic engagement.

When you include the League in your estate plans, you help ensure that future generations have access to trusted election information, civic education, and opportunities to participate fully in our democracy.

A legacy gift is one of the most meaningful ways to support the League’s mission. It can often be arranged through a simple update to documents you already have in place, while remaining fully revocable during your lifetime.

The LWVIL Legacy Society

The LWVIL Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have chosen to include the League of Women Voters of Illinois or the LWVIL Education Fund in their estate plans.

There is no minimum gift required. Legacy gifts are voluntary, confidential, and revocable. If you have already included the League in your plans, we would be honored to hear from you and welcome you to the Legacy Society.

Ways to Leave a Legacy

Gifts Through a Will or Trust

A gift through your will or revocable trust lets you leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, a particular asset, or the remainder of your estate after other commitments are fulfilled.

Beneficiary Designations

You may name LWVIL or the LWVIL Education Fund as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other eligible asset. In many cases, this can be done without revising your will or trust.

Retirement accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b)) are often best directed to the LWVIL Education Fund. Because the Fund is tax-exempt, it receives the full value of the gift with no income tax owed — a benefit an individual heir typically would not get on the same inherited asset.

Life insurance policies can be gifted two ways: naming LWVIL or the LWVIL Education Fund as beneficiary (a simple update, no cost today), or irrevocably transferring ownership of the policy, which may also offer an income tax deduction.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)

If you have a Donor Advised Fund, you can name the LWVIL Education Fund as a successor beneficiary, creating a lasting legacy beyond your lifetime. Or, recommend a grant today by logging in to your DAF provider's platform.

Real Estate

You may donate real estate — such as a home, vacation property, or land — to LWVIL or the LWVIL Education Fund, either outright or with a retained life estate that lets you continue living in the property. Gifts of real estate may offer significant tax advantages and are reviewed individually with your advisor and the League.

Other Planned Giving options

For donors with more complex estate plans, LWVIL and the LWVIL Education Fund can also accept gifts through a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust, Charitable Remainder Unitrust, Charitable Gift Annuity, or Charitable Lead Trust. Each offers a different balance of income, tax benefit, and timing. Please contact us to discuss whether one of these other planned giving options might be right for you.

 Other Ways to Support the League During Your Lifetime

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

If you are age 70½ or older, you may be eligible to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from a traditional IRA to the LWVIL Education Fund.

A QCD allows you to support the League while satisfying all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) without adding the distribution to your taxable income.

In 2026, the annual QCD limit is $111,000 per individual (as confirmed in IRS Notice 2025-67). This amount is indexed for inflation and may change in future years. If you file jointly and your spouse is also age 70½ or older, they may make a separate QCD of up to $111,000 from their own IRA.

For some donors, QCDs may also help reduce the impact of Medicare IRMAA surcharges or limit taxation of Social Security benefits. Please consult your tax or financial advisor to determine whether a QCD is appropriate for your circumstances.

To initiate a QCD, contact your IRA custodian and request that your distribution be made payable to the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund.

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)

If you have a Donor Advised Fund, or DAF  allows you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax benefit, and recommend grants to If you already have a DAF, simply log in to your provider’s platform and recommend a grant to the League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund. 

Notify Us of Your Intent

If you have included LWVIL or LWVIL-EF in your estate plans, we welcome your confidential notification. Sharing your intentions helps us thank you appropriately and honor your recognition preferences. Notification is entirely voluntary and non-binding.

For additional information, please contact: 

Becky Simon, President, League of Women Voters of Illinois
bsimon@lwvil.org
312-624-8129

This information does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult your own advisor before making any planned gift. Tax laws and limits are subject to change and may not reflect your current situation. The League reserves the right to review and accept gifts in accordance with its gift acceptance policies.