Create Your Literacy Legacy
Give others the opportunity to better their lives through the power of literacy.
Include Literacy Partners in your estate plans starting today.
Ensure future generations benefit from literacy education
Empower families to break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures
One of the most impactful ways to support us
The Literacy Champions Circle
Our planned giving society, The Literacy Champions Circle, honors those who have made a commitment to our future by including Literacy Partners in their will, trust, or other legacy plans.
Members receive:
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Special recognition on our website and annual report (optional)
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Invitations to exclusive events and briefings with our leadership
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Updates on the impact of your legacy
Your commitment — no matter the size — helps ensure that parents can share the joy of reading with their children for years to come.
Ways to Make A Planned Gift
Bequests
Designate Literacy Partners as a beneficiary in your will or trust. This can be a specific amount, a percentage, or the remainder of your estate.
See sample language here.
Retirement Plans and Other Assets
Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples include 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating Literacy Partners as a beneficiary in one or more of these accounts can have a big impact and may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes.
Donor-Advised Funds
Recommend a future distribution from your donor-advised fund.
Barbara Houser, a Literacy Champion
Once one of our star volunteers, Barbara Houser joined our Literacy Champions Circle and bequeathed a generous gift to honor her legacy as an educator and language enthusiast. We celebrate Barbara’s contributions, not only to Literacy Partners, but to all of the communities and lives she touched.
“Barbara came from some fairly humble and rural beginnings and in thinking about her life, it was reading that introduced her to the world and education that enabled her to experience the world. Barbara was fortunate to be able to travel to many countries (she was able to speak several languages) and it was her reading skills that helped her develop interest in different places and cultures at an early age. The family is very proud of her dedication to education, her volunteer work, and the legacy she has left to Literacy Partners and their work.”
– Eric Holtzman, Barbara’s Nephew
Let Us Thank You
Already included Literacy Partners in your plans? Please let us know! We’d love to welcome you to The Literacy Champions Circle and ensure your gift will be used as you intend.
Your information will be kept confidential and we will respect your wishes regarding recognition.
Contact Us
We’re here to help. For more information or a confidential conversation, please contact:
Kristine Cooper
Chief External Affairs Officer
📧 kristinec@literacypartners.org
FAQs
Yes! Every gift, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to solving the literacy crisis. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate vs. a fixed amount, which scales up or down with the size of your estate.
Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person. These assets won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose.
The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.
Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.
The gift will be used where it’s needed most. While we are grateful for any designation you choose, general support allows Literacy Partners the most flexibility to direct the funds where they are most needed. If you have questions, please contact us.
Yes! Knowing about your intentions in advance helps our team plan for the future and make sure your gift is used as you wish. You are always welcome to remain anonymous for recognition purposes.
Yes. Please see this document for examples of language you can use.