The majority of the Spondylitis Association’s support comes from the goodwill of individuals like you who give generously throughout their lives. But on occasion we receive a call or letter from a member or friend notifying us that they have included the Spondylitis Association in their estate plans -- because they want to ensure that future generations affected by spondylitis are not alone -- without the resources necessary to cope with the disease. To commemorate the generosity of those individuals, during their lifetime, who have kindly remembered SAA in their estate plans, SAA is pleased to announce the establishment of the Quest Legacy Society.

We invite you to become a charter member of the the Quest Legacy Society by making a planned gift to the Spondylitis Association. While designating SAA as a beneficiary in your will or living trust is the simplest way to create a legacy gift to SAA without affecting your current financial situation, there are a variety of planned giving options that can be tailored to your individual financial and philanthropic goals. Thoughtful planning may not only reduce your tax burden but is also a way to leave a meaningful gift to future generations.

Of course, if you have already made a financial provision for SAA in your estate plans, please let us know so that we may honor you and show our appreciation by including you as a charter member in the Quest Legacy Society.

Planned gifts allow you to support the Spondylitis Association while protecting your personal interest. Whether you want to leave a legacy through a bequest, life insurance or trust, your gift should ensure financial security for you and your loved ones, while allowing you to make a significant impact on those that SAA serves. There are a variety of planned giving options that can be tailored to your individual financial and charitable objectives.

Bequest
Designating SAA as a beneficiary in your will or living trust is the simplest way to create a legacy gift to SAA without affecting your current financial situation. This can be done by specifying a pre-determined dollar amount, property percentage of your estate or residue of your estate for the benefit of SAA. To make a provision in your will, we suggest the following language:

I bequeath to the Spondylitis Association of America, 14827 Ventura Blvd., Suite 222, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, the sum of ______dollars $______ {or a description of property devised or percentage of the estate to be used or disposed of} for _________ {or as its Board of Directors in its sole discretion deems appropriate}.

Life Insurance
Another way to make a significant gift to SAA is with life insurance. You may transfer an existing life insurance policy that is no longer needed.

Other Planned Giving Options
There are many other planned giving options available including charitable trusts. Planned gifts have many benefits including the possibility of increasing your income while avoiding capital gains taxes and reducing estate taxes.

If you wish to inform us that you have included SAA in your estate plans or for more information on The Quest Legacy Society, and how planned giving can work for you, please download the "For More information" form and mail to: Quest Legacy Society, Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), 14827 Ventura Blvd, Suite 222, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. You may also contact Susan L. Jones, Director of Development and Planned Giving at 800-777-8189, ext. 231 or susan.jones@spondylitis.org.