Wellstar Foundation's Bequest Language

Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.

Our federal tax ID number is 58-1627413

Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest.

Sample Bequest Language

Unrestricted Bequest

"I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to Wellstar Health System, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in Georgia for its general purposes."

Bequest for a Clinic or Hospital

"I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to (name of Clinic or Hospital) of Wellstar Health System, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in Georgia for its general purposes (or a fellowship program, for physician support, for research in a stated field.)"

Bequest for an Endowment

"I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to (name of hospital, clinic, department or program) of Wellstar Health System, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in Atlanta, Georgia, to establish an endowed fund (or the John Doe Fund, or similar wording), to be held as a permanent endowment, which shall be used for (patient hardship, distinguished professorship, or research in a stated field) However, if, at the time of my death, the realized amount is less than the minimum amount required to establish such an endowed fund, or in the event that such use shall, in the judgment of the CEO of Wellstar Health System, become unnecessary or impracticable then I direct that my gift shall be devoted to such purposes, in his or her sole discretion, shall determine, keeping such use as close to my intent as possible."

Savings Clause

If your bequest is restricted for a particular purpose, we ask that you incorporate a "savings clause" to accommodate changes over time in the needs of the Institution: "In the event that such use shall, in the judgment of the CEO of Wellstar Health System, become unnecessary or impracticable, I direct that my gift shall be devoted to such purposes, in his or her sole discretion, shall determine, keeping such use as close to my intent as possible."

Codicil to Last Will and Testament

If your estate plans are up to date, you can simply draft a short codicil, or amendment, to the existing document, using this or similar language: "I hereby amend my Last Will and Testament, executed on the _______ day of __________________ in the year ________. I direct that all provisions of that Will remain in effect but in addition direct that Wellstar Health System, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in Georgia, shall receive the sum of _______ dollars to be used to further the mission of the institution as the CEO of Wellstar Health System, in his or her sole discretion, may direct."

Please be aware that there are legal and practical considerations as you plan a restricted bequest to Wellstar. For example, certain gifts to Wellstar have minimum required amounts (e.g., endowed funds to established programs, professorships, research funds, or leadership positions).

If you are considering designating your bequest for a specific purpose, please contact Brittany Saadiq, CFRE- Executive Director of Principal Gifts at [email protected].