Life Insurance

Life insurance gifts empower you to make a generous financial contribution to Girl Scouts when you may not have many assets. In addition to providing you with the opportunity to become a Legacy Circle member, your gift will help ensure that future generations of girls will grow strong and reach their full potential in Girl Scouting.

There are several ways that you can structure a gift of life insurance to Girl Scouts:

1. You can make Girl Scouts of the USA the owner and beneficiary of an already existing paid-up life insurance policy. By doing so, you may be able to deduct an amount equal to the approximate cash value in the year that you make the gift. Since Girl Scouts of the USA becomes the owner of the policy, the proceeds will not be included in your estate for tax purposes.
   
   
2. You can make Girl Scouts of the USA a beneficiary of an already existing life insurance policy. Upon your passing, the full face value amount of the policy will go to the national organization. Although the proceeds from the policy will be included in your gross estate, the full amount received by GSUSA may be deductible as a charitable deduction. To make Girl Scouts of the USA a beneficiary of an already existing life insurance policy, you can simply request a beneficiary designation form from your employer or insurance company.
   
   
3. You can make Girl Scouts of the USA owner and beneficiary of a policy on which you are still paying premiums. As with donating an already existing paid-up policy, you may be able to deduct an amount equal to the approximate cash value of the policy in the year that it is made. You may also be able to deduct any future premium payments, and the proceeds will not be included in your estate for tax purposes.
   
   
4. You can purchase a new policy and make GSUSA the owner and beneficiary. Because GSUSA is the owner, you may be able to deduct premiums as charitable contributions for as long as the premiums are paid, subject to state limitations. In addition, the proceeds will not be included in your estate for tax purposes.
   
   
5. You can donate your excess group-term coverage to Girl Scouts (if you participate in a group-term life insurance policy through your workplace). Excess coverage is an excellent way to make a valuable gift to Girl Scouts that not only doesn't cost you a dime in premiums, but in fact, saves you money. To make this gift, simply inform your company's benefits department.

For more information on how to give a gift through life insurance, contact us at plannedgiving@girlscouts.org.