Planned Giving Agreement Template

What Is the Planned Giving Agreement Template?

This template creates a binding memorandum of understanding between donors and charitable organizations for major planned gifts. It documents gift type and amount, establishes whether commitments are revocable or irrevocable, specifies how the charity will use gift proceeds, defines donor recognition and naming rights, addresses tax implications and valuation requirements, and provides modification procedures if circumstances change.

The agreement covers seven distinct planned giving structures including charitable bequests, beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, retained life estates, and multi-year pledges. Each structure includes specific provisions for administration, timing, income distributions where applicable, and successor beneficiaries. Unlike informal pledge cards or donor intent letters, this agreement provides comprehensive legal protection for gifts ranging from $25,000 to multimillion-dollar estate commitments.

 

 

Is This Planned Giving Agreement Right for You?

You need this agreement if you're:

• Making a six-figure or larger charitable gift
• Establishing a charitable gift annuity for retirement income
• Creating a charitable remainder trust with appreciated assets
• Transferring real estate through a retained life estate
• Negotiating naming rights for major donations
• Formalizing a multi-year pledge commitment

You definitely need this agreement if:

• Your gift has restrictions on how funds can be used
• You're structuring a life income gift requiring annuity provisions
• The charity requests formal documentation before counting your pledge
• You want legal protection if the charity merges or dissolves
• Your estate planner requires written confirmation of charitable intent

 

 

Why Thousands Trust Legal GPS Templates

Save Money. Estate planning attorneys charge $2,000-5,000 to draft planned giving agreements. Our template costs $35.

Save Time. Complete your agreement in under an hour instead of multiple attorney meetings over several weeks.

Look Professional. Attorney-quality language that charities recognize and development officers expect for major gifts.

Keeps You Out of Court. The Variance Provision allows charities to modify gift restrictions if your designated purpose becomes impossible without court intervention, the Alternate Charitable Beneficiary provision redirects your gift if the organization dissolves, and the Confidentiality provisions prevent charities from publicly disclosing your financial information without consent.

 

 

 

Get Protected in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Secure Checkout. Purchase through our encrypted payment system. Receive instant access to your template.

Step 2: Instant Download. Download your planned giving agreement template immediately in easy-to-edit format.

Step 3: Fill In the Highlighted Fields. Select your gift type, specify terms and restrictions, configure recognition and naming preferences, and execute with the charitable organization.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this template multiple times?

Yes. Use it for different charities, different gift amounts, or different gift structures. You can establish multiple planned gifts with various organizations using the same template.

Is this agreement legally binding?

It depends on whether you mark your commitment as revocable or irrevocable in Article II. Irrevocable commitments and completed gifts are legally enforceable contracts. Revocable commitments are statements of intent that you can modify or cancel, though they create important understanding between you and the charity.

What's the difference between a charitable gift annuity and a charitable remainder trust?

A charitable gift annuity is a contract directly with the charity where they pay you fixed income for life from their general assets. A charitable remainder trust is a separate legal entity that holds assets, distributes income to you, and eventually transfers the remainder to charity. Trusts offer more flexibility and control but require separate legal documents and trustees.

Can I change the terms after signing the agreement?

Revocable commitments can be modified or cancelled by providing written notice to the charity. Irrevocable commitments can only be changed by mutual written agreement of both parties. Some modifications (like changing your will or beneficiary designations) require separate legal action beyond this agreement.

What happens if the charity I choose dissolves before receiving my gift?

Article X requires you to name an alternate charitable beneficiary with a similar mission. If you don't designate an alternate within the specified timeframe after being notified of the charity's dissolution, the agreement includes a default alternate or allows a court to direct the gift to a similar organization.

Do I need a lawyer to use this agreement?

The template is designed for direct use between donors and charities for standard planned giving arrangements. For complex situations involving trusts over $100,000, appreciated property, or intricate family dynamics, consult an estate planning attorney to ensure the agreement integrates properly with your overall estate plan.