By giving to BHcare, you are making an investment that will help provide much needed funding for innovative behavioral health services, live saving domestic violence services, and important prevention and education programming. The power of your planned gift will be magnified many times over, playing a quiet, yet vital role in building a healthier community for the future.

With a planned gift, you can select from several options to make sure your gift fulfills your philanthropic wishes and your financial goals. Your gift can be unrestricted or restricted, it can be made in the present or in the future, and the instrument for your gift can be cash, stock, deferred income or life insurance. When considering these decisions, it’s important to get advice from a professional estate planner, your attorney or tax accountant.

BHcare is honored to have been chosen by Mildred M. Davey as one of the beneficiaries of her planned giving. The life-long Shelton resident enjoyed a long career in human resource management, serving as Director, Personnel at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Connecticut for more than 25 years. She joined the Hewitt organization in Shelton as Vice President, Human Resources in 1981, and in 1985 became President of Hewitt Management Corporation, a position she held until her retirement in 1998.

Her gift is especially meaningful as it comes from someone that supported our organization for over 20 years. Mrs. Davey’s dedication to organizations in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, including BHcare, was evident throughout her life and, in her passing, continues to make an impact on the women, men and children we serve.

Mrs. Davey’s generous gift to BHcare will help to improve the lives and health of thousands of individuals and families by providing access to mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence services.

A planned gift is an ideal way to make a commitment to BHcare now, while fulfilling that commitment at a later date through such devices as a bequest, trust or contract (this approach often results in financial and tax benefits). You can also make a blended gift, including cash now and a planned gift for the future.

Cash Gifts: A cash gift can be as simple as writing a check in support of BHcare. IRS regulations allow you to claim a charitable gift deduction of up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. If your giving exceeds that limit, you can carry your deductions forward for up to five years.

Gifts of Securities: Making a gift of appreciated stock or mutual funds can be an excellent philanthropic tool. Even more, it can be a way to reduce your tax burden.

Gift from an IRA: Through the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, you may be able to make a tax-free charitable contribution to BHcare. The act allows individuals 70½ and older to make direct gifts from their IRA account, up to $100,000. The rules that apply to an IRA gift are subject to change by the Internal Revenue Service.

Bequests (Gifts Through Your Will): Through your will, you can make a specific bequest to BHcare or set aside a percentage of your estate as a charitable gift. Or, your will can direct that the remaining balance of your estate be set aside for a gift.

Life Income Giving: This type of gift instrument includes the charitable gift annuity, the charitable remainder trust, the charitable lead trust and life insurance. A brief summary on each is available upon your request.

Sample Bequest Statement
A charitable bequest to BHcare can be as simple as a sentence or two in your will or living trust agreement. Your bequest may specify a specific sum, or percentage, of money by stating, “I give to BHcare in (Ansonia, Branford, North Haven), CT the sum of $_____________, (or __________ percentage of my estate).”

You may also leave a particular asset by including a statement such as, “I give to BHcare in (Ansonia, Branford, North Haven), CT_______ shares of XYZ stock.”

Please send a copy of your intentions to BHcare: BHcare, 127 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor West, North Haven, CT 06473 Attn: Development Department.

We invite you or your representative to call BHcare’s Chief Business Development Officer with any questions, (203) 446-9739 x2207. Your gift is greatly appreciated.