Members frequently share stories about the tremendous impact IEEE has had on their education, career, and life. To express their appreciation, some members make donations to the IEEE Foundation now and some leave a legacy gift to the IEEE Foundation for the benefit of the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society (EMC-S) in their estate. Giving in this manner is a meaningful way to help ensure that EMC-S will have the critical resources it needs for the next generation of engineers.
     Legacy gifts typically come from assets rather than income. If you have considered leaving a legacy gift, you have several options as noted below.
     Bequest - A provision in a will or living trust is the most popular form of legacy giving to the IEEE Foundation/EMC-S. There are several ways to structure a bequest. The bequest can be for a fixed dollar amount or percentage of your estate. Alternatively, it can be for part or all of the residuary of your estate or made contingent upon certain circumstances occurring.
     Life Insurance - There are a couple of different ways you can use life insurance to fulfill a legacy gift. The IEEE Foundation/EMC-S can be named as the primary or contingent beneficiary of a policy. It is also possible to donate ownership of a policy that has outlived its original purpose.
     Retirement Plans - If you have Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans and other qualified retirement savings plans, you can designate the IEEE Foundation/EMC-S as the primary or contingent beneficiary of these accounts. The beneficiary designation is made by completing the account custodian’s beneficiary change form. (Note: Married persons need a spousal consent form if they wish to name anyone other than the spouse as death beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan.)
     You are invited to leave a legacy gift in your estate to the IEEE Foundation designated to EMC-S. Giving in this manner will make you Forever Generous and eligible to join the IEEE Goldsmith Legacy League. The League, the elite planned giving donor recognition group of the IEEE and the IEEE Foundation, is named in memory of Alfred N. and Gertrude Goldsmith whose planned gifts seeded the IEEE Foundation’s ability to support the mission of the IEEE.
     Members of the IEEE Goldsmith Legacy League are building tomorrow by leaving legacy gifts that will benefit future generations. In recognition of their special commitment, members receive a keepsake coin and certificate of membership in a custom presentation binder, an invitation to attend the annual IEEE Honors Ceremony, the IEEE Foundation Focus newsletter, periodic updates on estate and tax planning, as well as recognition in the annual Honor Roll of Donors and on the “Wall of Honor”.
     If you have already included IEEE, EMC-S or the IEEE Foundation in your plans, great! Please share the good news with the IEEE Foundation. This helps us plan for the future and recognize your generosity during your lifetime.
     If you are deciding how best to include the IEEE Foundation for the benefit of the EMC-S in your plans, contact the IEEE Development Office by telephone at +1 732 562-3860 or by e-mail at donate@ieee.org to hold a personal and confidential discussion about how to integrate a legacy gift to the IEEE Foundation into your plans.

About the IEEE Foundation
The IEEE Foundation relies on charitable donations to provide philanthropic ­services in support of the IEEE core purpose to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. It fulfills it mission by awarding grants to new and innovative projects and administering more than 130 donor designated funds that support a variety of educational, humani­tarian, historical preservation, and peer ­recognition programs of the IEEE. Interdisciplinary in activities and global in scope, the IEEE Foundation helps improve lives throughout the world.
     Qualified under US Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), the IEEE Foundation is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions in the United States. For other countries, please check with your local tax advisor regarding tax deductibility of charitable contributions. To learn more visit https://www.ieeefoundation.org.

Mechanics for Leaving Legacy Gifts
to the EMC Society
IEEE encourages members to direct their philanthropy to the IEEE Foundation. Beneficiary designations and bequests to the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society should be worded as follows:

“…to the IEEE Foundation, Incorporated, New York, NY for the benefit of the IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society (for further designation to specific programs such as a scholarship, fellowship or EMC-S historical preservation project).”

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax or investment advice. If you are considering a planned gift to the IEEE Foundation – IEEE Electromagnetic Compatibility Society, consult your tax and legal advisors to determine the best options for you.        EMC