Planned Giving

“The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty!” Pope Francis has said.

Your support of Catholic Charities West Michigan’s vital services greatly helps our neighbors in need and furthers Christ’s love, particularly for the poor.

Please consider a simple way to ensure that the priorities you invest in throughout your life, such as supporting Catholic Charities West Michigan, will continue to be addressed even after you are no longer here to write the checks.

How is that possible?

By including Catholic Charities West Michigan in your will, living trust, annuity or estate plan, your financial support will help CCWM continue to provide essential social services and can maintain a strong social safety net in the face of unknown future challenges.

Bequests, or gifts made by will, are among the most popular type of planned gift. If you have not already included Catholic Charities West Michigan in your will and would like to, we recommend that you share the sample bequest language here with your estate-planning adviser.

You can decide whether your gift would be unrestricted (which allows the CCWM directors board to determine how best to use your gift based on the situation it faces) or restricted (which means you have designated that your contribution be used to support a specific program or purpose). You could also make clear whether you want the gift used for day-to-day operations or invested in a permanent endowment fund for CCWM.

Before making a gift to Catholic Charities West Michigan, we encourage you to consult with your financial adviser or estate-planning attorney to determine which option is best for your particular situation.