1. Prepare a will. Only about a third of those who pass away have one. Without a will, you lose control of the possessions you worked a lifetime to acquire.
2. Leave a gift in your will for a local charitable organization like the Lewis County Historical Society that has made a difference in your life. Less than 3% of all wills settled contain a charitable provision. Imagine the positive impact on our community if everyone made even a modest donation to a favorite local non-profit organization like the Lewis County Historical Society.
3. Leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the assets in your will to a favorite local charity like the Lewis County Historical Society. The provision can be a part of your will or added as a codicil to your existing will.
4. Name a favorite local charity like the Lewis County Historical Society as the beneficiary of your IRA or pension plan.
5. Consider using assets for a charitable gift to the Lewis County Historical Society. These can include (but are not limited to) stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, real estate, vehicles, art and jewelry. Such gifts may even provide tax savings.
6. Name a favorite local charity like the Lewis County Historical Society as the beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy.
7. Purchase a new life insurance policy naming a favorite local charity like the Lewis County Historical Society as beneficiary.
8. Remember deceased loved ones with memorial gifts in your will to the Lewis County Historical Society.
9. Encourage family members and friends to leave gifts in their wills to a favorite charity like the Lewis County Historical Society.

Ask your lawyer or financial or tax advisor to include charitable giving as part of their counsel to other clients.