Legacy Giving FAQs

Planning a legacy gift is a meaningful way to support the people, causes and organizations that matter most to you. By including Cascade PBS in your estate plans, you can help ensure that trusted news, inspiring storytelling and lifelong learning remain accessible to our community for generations to come.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about estate planning, legacy giving and membership in our Legacy Circle. Every person's circumstances are different, so we encourage you to consult with your attorney, financial advisor or tax professional about your specific situation. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal, financial or tax advice.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that outlines how you want certain assets distributed after your death. Depending on your circumstances and the laws that apply, a Will can:

Specify who will receive the assets distributed through your estate.
Name a guardian for your minor children.
Designate a personal representative (sometimes called an executor) to administer your estate and carry out the instructions in your Will.

A Will is an important part of an estate plan, but it may not address every aspect of your financial or personal affairs. Other documents, such as a trust, power of attorney or advance health care directive, may also be appropriate.

Together, these documents can help ensure that your wishes are understood and your values are reflected in the plans you leave behind.

Does my Will control the distribution of everything I own?

Not necessarily. Many assets pass directly to named beneficiaries or surviving joint owners rather than through your Will. These may include:

Retirement accounts: IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement plans typically pass to the beneficiaries designated on the account.
Life insurance policies: Benefits generally go to the named beneficiaries.
Bank and investment accounts: Certain accounts transfer directly to a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner.
Trust assets: Assets held in a trust are generally distributed according to the terms of the trust.

Because these assets may pass outside your Will, it's important to review your beneficiary designations periodically and ensure they align with your overall estate plan. Your attorney or financial advisor can help you determine which arrangements are appropriate for your circumstances.

What is a bequest?

A bequest is a gift made through a Will or, in some cases, a trust. It allows you to designate that a portion of your estate be given to a person, organization or charitable cause after your death.

You can structure a bequest in several ways, including:

A specific gift: Designate a particular dollar amount or asset, such as cash, securities or real estate.
A percentage gift: Leave a percentage of your estate to a beneficiary.
A residual gift: Designate all or a portion of what remains in your estate after other gifts, expenses and obligations have been addressed.

A bequest can be a meaningful way to support the causes you care about while also providing for family and loved ones.

Why include Cascade PBS in my estate plans?

For many people, legacy giving is an opportunity to extend their values beyond their lifetime. It's a way to reflect on what has mattered most to them and help shape the future they hope to leave behind.

When you include Cascade PBS in your estate plans, you help sustain independent local news, thoughtful storytelling and educational programming that inform, inspire and connect our communities.

Your future gift can help ensure that generations to come have access to trusted news, compelling documentaries and programming that encourages curiosity, understanding and lifelong learning.

A legacy gift is also an opportunity to support public media in a way that reflects your personal values and connection to Cascade PBS.

How do I make a bequest to Cascade PBS?

A bequest is often one of the simplest ways to make a legacy gift. With guidance from your attorney or other professional advisor, you can include a charitable gift in your Will or trust.

You can designate Cascade PBS to receive a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate or a portion of the assets remaining after other distributions.

When making your plans, please use Cascade Public Media, the organization's legal name, to identify the intended charitable beneficiary. Your advisor can help you prepare appropriate language for your individual circumstances.

If you've already included Cascade PBS in your estate plans, we would love to hear from you! Sharing your plans is entirely voluntary, but it allows us to thank you and welcome you into our Legacy Circle.

Are there other ways to make a legacy gift besides a Will or trust?

Yes! You can support Cascade PBS through several types of planned gifts, including:

Retirement account beneficiary designation: Name Cascade PBS as a beneficiary of all or a portion of an IRA, 401(k) or other eligible retirement account.
Life insurance: Designate Cascade PBS to receive all or a portion of the proceeds from a life insurance policy.
Donor-advised fund: Name Cascade PBS as a beneficiary of the remaining assets in your donor-advised fund, subject to your sponsoring organization's rules.
Charitable gift annuity: Make a gift in exchange for fixed payments for life, with the remaining amount supporting Cascade PBS. Gift annuities involve specific financial and contractual considerations.
Charitable trust: Establish a charitable trust that can provide income to you or other beneficiaries and support Cascade PBS according to the trust's terms.

Each option has different financial, tax and estate-planning implications. Your professional advisors can help you explore which approach best fits your goals.

Do I need to be wealthy to make a legacy gift?

Not at all. Legacy giving isn't just for people with substantial wealth. A gift of any size can make a meaningful difference in the future of public media.

You might choose to leave a specific dollar amount, designate a percentage of your estate or name Cascade PBS as a beneficiary of a retirement account or life insurance policy.

The most important thing is that your plans reflect your values and take your own needs and the needs of your loved ones into account.

Will a legacy gift affect my finances during my lifetime?

Many legacy gifts, including bequests and beneficiary designations, allow you to support Cascade PBS without making a current financial contribution. Your assets remain available for your use during your lifetime, and the gift generally takes effect after your death.

Some planned gifts, such as charitable gift annuities and certain charitable trusts, work differently and may involve transferring assets during your lifetime.

Can I change my mind after including Cascade PBS in my estate plans?

In many cases, yes. Bequests and beneficiary designations are generally revocable, meaning you can update them as your circumstances, priorities or wishes change. Certain arrangements, including some charitable trusts and completed gifts, may be irrevocable.

It's important to review your estate plan periodically, particularly after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, retirement or a significant change in your finances.

Consult your professional advisor before making changes to ensure they reflect your intentions and are carried out properly.

Are there tax benefits to making a legacy gift?

Depending on the type of gift and your individual circumstances, charitable giving through your estate plan may offer potential tax advantages. The treatment of a gift can depend on factors such as the asset involved, the structure of the gift and applicable tax laws.

For example, gifts from certain retirement accounts may have different tax implications than gifts of cash or other assets. However, the benefits vary, and not every charitable gift produces the same tax result.

Your tax advisor or estate-planning attorney can help you understand the potential implications of your planned gift.

What is the Legacy Circle?

Cascade PBS's Legacy Circle recognizes individuals who have included Cascade PBS in their estate plans or designated the organization as a beneficiary of a qualifying asset.

Legacy Circle members share a commitment to public media and the belief that trusted journalism, educational programming and inspiring storytelling should be available for generations to come.

As a member, you'll be invited to special events, receive insider updates and have opportunities to connect with others who share your commitment to Cascade PBS. Additional benefits may include recognition in our annual report and access to select member communications.

Legacy Circle membership is complimentary. There is no minimum gift amount, and you do not need to disclose the value of your planned gift to become a member.

How do I become a Legacy Circle member?

If you've included Cascade PBS in your will, trust or beneficiary designations, we would be delighted to welcome you to the Legacy Circle!

Simply complete the Legacy Circle Planned Giving Notification form to let us know about your plans. All information about your gift is kept confidential and you can remain anonymous if you prefer. You do not need to share the details or value of your gift unless you wish to do so.

Do I need to tell Cascade PBS about my planned gift?

No. Notifying us is entirely voluntary, and your estate plans remain private unless you choose to share them.

However, letting us know about your intentions gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude, welcome you into the Legacy Circle and keep you informed about the impact of your generosity.

We also welcome the opportunity to confirm that your intended beneficiary has been identified correctly. We cannot provide legal or tax advice, but we can share organizational information that may be helpful to you and your advisor.

Can I make my legacy gift anonymously?

Absolutely. We respect your privacy and understand that some donors prefer to keep their plans confidential.

If you choose to notify us of your gift, you can let us know that you prefer to remain anonymous. We will work with you to honor your preferences regarding recognition and communications.

What if I have questions about making a legacy gift?

We're here to help! Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or have already included Cascade PBS in your plans, our Estate Gift Planning team welcomes your questions.

We can provide information about ways to support Cascade PBS through your estate, explain Legacy Circle membership and help you identify resources to discuss with your professional advisors.

Thank you for considering a legacy gift to Cascade PBS. Your generosity helps ensure that public media continues to inform, inspire and connect our communities for generations to come.

This site is informational and educational in nature. It does not offer professional tax, legal, or accounting advice. For specific advice about the effect of any planning concept on your tax or financial situation or with your estate, please consult a qualified professional advisor.