Why your gift matters!

A planned gift is a powerful way to create a lasting impact for an organization close to your heart. By including the Colonial Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America in your estate plans through a bequest or similar arrangement, you help ensure ongoing support for veterans living with paralysis from spinal cord injury or disease (including conditions like MS and ALS). Your contribution strengthens our efforts to advocate for better VA healthcare, civil rights protections, barrier-free community access, and essential programs that improve quality of life—such as therapeutic sports and recreation, adaptive equipment, education and information resources, and community awareness initiatives. These resources benefit veterans, their families, and caregivers today and well into the future.

The Colonial Chapter recommends consulting your attorney, financial advisor, or other qualified professional when considering or updating any estate plans or planned giving options. This information is for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice.

Benefits of a Bequest

• No upfront cost — You commit nothing now, but gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve secured future help for paralyzed veterans.
• Full control during your lifetime — You continue to manage and use your assets as you wish.
• Flexibility to adapt — You can revise or update your plans if your circumstances change.
• Tax advantages — Bequests to the Colonial Chapter (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) from your estate are generally exempt from federal estate taxes.
• Recognition (optional) — If you share your intentions with us (and give permission), we can gratefully acknowledge you in our newsletters, annual reports, events, or website. Anonymous giving is always welcome.

How to Make a Bequest

A bequest can be arranged in several ways:

• Include the Colonial Chapter in your will or living trust (by creating a new document, adding a codicil to an existing will, or amending a trust).
• Specify a fixed amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after providing for loved ones.
• Name the chapter as a beneficiary on retirement accounts (e.g., IRA, 401(k)) or life insurance policies—simply update the beneficiary form with your plan administrator or insurer.

Planning Your Gift

Think about how you’d like your support used:

• Unrestricted — Gives the chapter flexibility to direct funds where the need is greatest (highly valuable for addressing emerging priorities).
• Restricted — Targets a specific area, such as a program, sports/recreation, advocacy, or adaptive equipment. It can be set up as expendable (spent over time as received) or endowed (providing ongoing annual income in perpetuity; endowed funds often require a minimum—contact us for details).

To include the Colonial Chapter in your estate documents, please use this information:

Paralyzed Veterans of America, Colonial Chapter
700 Barksdale Road, Unit 2
Newark, DE 19711
Tax ID (EIN): 23-7099908

If you are serving as executor, trustee, or personal representative of an estate that names the Colonial Chapter as a beneficiary, please send relevant documents or inquiries to the same address, Attention: Executive Director.

Your thoughtful legacy can help restore hope, independence, and dignity to veterans who’ve given so much. For more details on our programs, membership, or to discuss your plans, visit www.colonialpva.org, call (302) 861-6671, or email jbedsworth@colonialpva.org.

Thank you for considering this meaningful way to support our mission!

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