The Desert Foothills Library is a vibrant community center where people of all ages come to learn, connect, and grow. From children discovering the joy of reading, to teens exploring new interests, to adults attending lectures, workshops, and cultural events, the library plays a vital role in enriching community life. 

One of the most meaningful ways to ensure the library continues to serve our community for generations to come is through planned giving, also known as a legacy gift. 

Planned giving is thoughtful charitable giving that is arranged in advance, often as part of your overall estate planning. Unlike a spontaneous donation, a planned gift allows you to thoughtfully structure your support so that it benefits you, your family, and the library. 

Depending on the type of gift, planned giving can offer immediate tax benefits, potential income during your lifetime, and long-term financial support for the library. Most importantly, it allows you to create a legacy that strengthens the programs, services, and resources our community depends on. 

There are many ways to include the Desert Foothills Library in your financial and estate planning. 

Testamentary Gifts
The most common form of planned giving is a gift through a will or trust. You may designate a specific dollar amount, a piece of property, or a percentage of your estate after your loved ones have been provided for. These gifts can also be made in memory or honor of someone special. 

Lifetime Gifts
Gifts made during your lifetime remain the lifeline of the library. These may include cash or stock contributions made at once or through recurring monthly gifts. Donating appreciated securities can be an especially tax-efficient way to give while supporting the library today. 

Charitable Trusts
Charitable trusts can benefit both the library and your family. 

  • A charitable lead trust provides income to the library for a period of time, with the remaining assets going to your family. 
  • A charitable remainder trust provides income to you or your loved ones during your lifetime, with the remaining assets benefiting the library in the future. 

Beneficiary Designations
One of the simplest ways to make a legacy gift is by naming the library as a beneficiary of an IRA, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Updating a beneficiary designation usually takes only a few minutes and can be one of the most tax-efficient gifts you can make. 

Every planned gift, large or small, helps ensure that the library continues to provide quality programs, collections, and educational opportunities for future generations. Your legacy can help sustain story times for young readers, lifelong learning programs for adults, and community events that bring neighbors together. 

No matter how you choose to support the library, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping safeguard a treasured community resource. 

For more information about planned giving opportunities, please contact Interim Executive Director Len Gutman at (480) 488-2286 or speak with your financial advisor. Please remember that Desert Foothills Library is a nonprofit and depends almost exclusively on donations to maintain operations.