Make us a beneficiary of your IRA or other “non-probate” assets
Why beneficiary designations are so powerful
Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating the Center for Constitutional Rights as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.
Charitable benefits
Common gifted assets for beneficiaries
- IRA
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Joint real estate
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint property ownership
Designate Center for Constitutional Rights as a beneficiary to one or more of your accounts.
We have partnered with FreeWill to offer this free online platform that will walk you through the process of setting up your beneficiaries. These gifts have a big impact and can often prevent unwanted taxation.
CCR Thelma Newman Planned Giving Society
Become a member of CCR’s Thelma Newman Planned Giving Society! The Thelma Newman Society is named for CCR co-founder Morty Stavis’ legal secretary at the United Electrical Workers. Thelma was not a wealthy woman, but she left an estate of $150,000 to further CCR’s work. She hoped that her generosity would inspire others to join her in ensuring the promise of justice for the next generation.
Carol Smith’s story
Carol supported the Center for Constitutional Rights for more than 20 years and made a generous bequest to the organization. In her activism, Carol fought for school policies that kept college accessible and affordable for underprivileged students, joined students of color in their fight for equitable treatment within the university system, and protested South African apartheid and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Her vision of a just future for the oppressed people of the world lives on in our commitment to justice and dignity for everyone. Carol’s memory and legacy will continue to live on through CCR’s work for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.
The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.
Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.
Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.
No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you.
Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.
We’re here to help you meet your goals!
Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.
Name: Michelle Anthony
Title :Senior Donor Relations Manager
Phone: 212-614-6489
Email: manthony@ccrjustice.org
Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know
More ways to make an impact
Gifts in a will or trust
Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will (for free!).
Popular tax-smart gifts
Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.