A Legacy of Caring

Originally published in the September/October 2020 issue of the CDS Review.

“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”
– Kalu Ndukwe Kalu

As a dentist or dental professional, you are a caring member of your community, committed to the oral health of your patients. Through the CDS Foundation, many of you have extended that caring to our larger tri-county community by donating your time, resources and funds. Thanks to you and your predecessors who established and nurtured this foundation, we can provide free dental health care to low-income patients at the CDS Foundation Clinic, offer grants to local community organizations, and support programs to increase oral health literacy.

If you’re like me, you want to ensure that these programs continue to grow, heal smiles and change lives well into the future. A great way to do this is by becoming a charter member of the new Chicago Dental Society Foundation Legacy Society. It can help you strategically accomplish both financial and charitable objectives.

It’s easy to do, and you do not need to be wealthy to do it. While cash contributions are always appreciated, there are other creative and flexible giving options that can benefit you and the CDS Foundation, including donations of real estate, stocks, marketable securities, or other assets. Whether it is naming the CDS Foundation as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or other liquid or non-liquid assets, you should consult your financial advisor to discuss the options. A planned gift also offers you many potential advantages, including federal estate tax savings, the elimination or reduction of capital gains taxes and the opportunity to increase spendable income.

Being a member of the CDS Foundation Legacy Society means that your tax-free gift will assure the long-term stability and financial strength necessary for us to continue to fulfill our mission and objectives. Anyone can leave a legacy, and there is always the option of designating a percentage, rather than a pre-determined amount, of your estate. Ensure the sustainability of CDS Foundation in a way that makes your core values known to others. Generations to come will benefit from your gift. Your support of our mission will be long-remembered and serve as an inspiration to others.

The Legacy Society recognizes and honors those individuals who provide for the CDSF in their estate plans, wills, trusts, income gifts and more. Our goal is to have at least 10 charter members committed to making provisions in their estates for future gifts to the CDS Foundation by Dec. 31. Charter members will be specially recognized in all print and online materials associated with the CDS Foundation Legacy Society. Of course, we respect your wishes regarding privacy, too. You are welcome to remain anonymous in your giving. However, participation in the Legacy Society can be an inspirational experience and may motivate others. The CDS Foundation is fortunate to have dedicated benefactors like you supporting our humanitarian mission. Now there’s another opportunity to turn your compassion into action and secure the foundation’s future. Become a charter member of the CDS Foundation Legacy Society and add your name to this new group of generous visionaries. Learn more