Goodman Community Center | Legacy Gifts
We will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 24-25, including fitness center, events and all programming. Our food pantry will be closed this week, Nov. 22-24.
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Join the Goodman Love & Legacy Circle

Thanks to broad and deep support from donors like you, the Goodman Community Center has become a beloved place and cherished resource for people of all walks of life here in Madison. Our innovative programs are delivered by a deeply caring and committed staff and with your help, we’ll be here for a long, long time... stronger than ever.

There are multiple types of legacy gifts. Most people like to leave a gift to charity in their will, and others simply designate a charity like the Goodman Center as a beneficiary of an insurance policy or retirement account. For many, these are often the largest and most impactful gifts they’ve ever been able to make.

To join the Goodman Love & Legacy Circle, choose one of the simple options below.

Option 1: Work with your attorney

If you already have a will, all it takes is a quick phone call to your lawyer to add a charitable gift to the Goodman Community Center. You also might want to explore other options with a financial advisor — you don't need a large income or vast estate for that to be worthwhile. Some options even have benefits to you during your lifetime.

If you complete a plan with your lawyer, simply provide a statement of intent to leave a gift to the Goodman Community Center. It can even be an email letting us know. No documentation of gift amount or type is necessary.

Option 2: Create your legacy gift today for free

If you don't already have a will, we have partnered with FreeWill to make your legacy gift simple and completely free. FreeWill is a free, online will-writing service that helps you create your legal will, plan a legacy gift to the Goodman Center, and even designate us as a beneficiary of your IRA, insurance policy, or other assets.

    CREATE MY FREE WILL AND LEGACY GIFT
    Benefits to You
    • A relationship with the Goodman Community Center and other donors during your lifetime.
    • A role in determining how your legacy gift will be used.
    • Satisfaction in knowing your legacy will make a difference for your community.
    • Special recognition in newsletters and annual reports, unless anonymity is desired.
    • Invitation to an annual Goodman Love & Legacy Circle gathering and other special donor events.
    • Complimentary subscription to the Eastside News, our bi-monthly newspaper.
    • Some planned gifts can reduce your tax burden during your lifetime, such as gifts of securities donated in-kind.
    Sample Language for Your Will

    Unrestricted Gift:

    If you already have Goodman in your estate plan, please let us know so we can thank you. Because activities and priorities can change over time, unrestricted gifts provide the most flexibility, allowing funds to be directed where they are needed most.

    I give to the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin, [the sum of $_____] or [____percentage (or all) of the residue of my estate] to provide unrestricted (endowed/non-endowed) support for the Center.

    Gift for a Specific Purpose:

    If you are considering a bequest for a restricted purpose, we would be happy to meet with you and/or your legal advisor to discuss your plans so we can ensure that Goodman will be able to fulfill your intentions.

    I give to the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Community Center, Inc. of Madison, Wisconsin, [the sum of $_____] or [____percentage (or all) of the residue of my estate] to provide support for ________________ (e.g., early childhood education programs, youth programs, older adults, operations, capacity building, ________, etc.) at the Center.

    Planning to include Goodman in your will?

    We would love to know now so we can thank you and celebrate your generosity.

    Fill Out This Statement of Intent
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    Love & Legacy Campaign

    As we prepare to celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2024, we're helping you take a closer look at how you can build your legacy to strengthen lives and secure futures for your family and community. Join us for a series of workshops on a variety of legacy-building topics. We hope you can join us for a few of them.

    Learn More

    For more information about building your legacy plans, or to let us know you've already included GCC in your estate plans, contact:

    Dani Luckett

    Chief Development Officer
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    The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers advanced directive forms online. These forms are intended to be completed without the assistance of an attorney, but you may want to seek legal advice from an attorney when filling out the forms. Learn more here.