Planned Giving

This is one of the most common legacy gifts to support the Washington Bach Consort.

Benefits to you:

• It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
• It is revocable– you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time.
• It may help minimize estate tax or avoid burden for heirs.

There are several ways to control how your bequest is distributed:

• Specific bequests allow you to name a specific dollar amount or named asset.
• Residuary bequests let you leave all or a percentage of what is left in your estate after specific requests, debts, expenses, and taxes have been fulfilled.
• Contingent bequests are fulfilled only if certain conditions are met.

How it works:

• Schedule a meeting with your attorney to review your options and determine the best estate plan vehicle for you based on your personal circumstances and goals. 
• Your attorney will prepare the document including your charitable intentions while using the Consort’s official language. 
• If you have already written a will or trust, it can be amended by your attorney by writing a codicil to include a new bequest, like bequest to the Bach Consort, while reaffirming the other terms in your will. Similarly, an attorney can prepare an amendment to a revocable trust.

Consider naming the Washington Bach a full or partial beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or of another qualified retirement plan.

Benefits to you:

• You can continue to take withdrawals through your life.
• If your circumstances change, you may change beneficiaries at any time.
• You can avoid both income and estate taxes on the residue left in your retirement account.

How it works:

• Using the official Washington Bach Consort name and address, name the Consort as a beneficiary on the account.
• Contact the financial institution and complete the necessary beneficiary designation form.
• After your lifetime, the financial institution will contact the Bach Consort and the gift will be distributed according to your instructions as completed on the beneficiary designation form. 
• Assets pass to the Bach Consort, tax-free.

Consider naming the Washington Bach Consort as a primary beneficiary of your life insurance policy, or as a contingent beneficiary should you or other beneficiaries not survive you.

Benefits to you:

• You can make a significant gift from income instead of from capital assets.
• If your circumstances change, you may change beneficiaries at any time.
• You will be able to claim an income tax deduction.
• You can remove an asset from your potential gross taxable estate.

How it works:

• Using the official Washington Bach Consort name and address, name the Consort as a beneficiary of a policy.
• Contact the insurance company and complete the necessary beneficiary designation form.
• After your lifetime, the insurance company will contact the Bach Consort and the gift will be distributed according to your instructions as completed on the beneficiary designation form. 
• Assets pass to the Bach Consort, free of federal estate tax.

1685 Society

We thank our 1685 Society members for their dedication and foresight in preserving the artistic and educational goals of the Consort that will allow future generations to experience the music of J.S. Bach here in our nation’s capital.

Betty J. Beard†

Heidi Byrnes

David P. & Margaret Condit

Shannon & Jim Davis

Susan Dillon

Sharrill Dittmann

Marilyn Wong Gleysteen

Neil Graham

Jill E. Kent† & Mark E. Solomons

Dr.† & Mrs. J. Reilly Lewis

Tamera Luzzatto

Helen H. McConnell

Dr. Brian R. McNeill & Kathryn McKenzie

E. Wayne Merry

Julia O’Brien

Michael Ochs

Bradley & Martha Olson

Laura E. Phillips†

Charles Reifel & Janie Kinney

Cecil “Cy” & Pearl Richardson†

William T. & Sally Semple

Margaret Shannon

Bernice & Reynold Stelloh†

Lynn Trundle

Pierre & Claire Wagner

Isabel T. Wallop

Margaret W. Webb

Dr. Elizabeth Weisburger†

Sally Wells

John C. Wiecking

Stephen C. Wright & Thomas Woodruff

Colonel Ronald Villafranco†

† In memoriam

Let us know your plans! If you have included the Bach Consort in your plan, please let us know so that we can thank you and honor your wishes.