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Create Your Dharma Legacy

Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive logo with the phrase "May the Buddhadharma reach all sentient beings."

Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive invites you to consider planned giving as a meaningful way to help preserve and publish the profound Dharma teachings of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. For nearly thirty years, LYWA has worked to safeguard these teachings and keep them accessible. By including LYWA in your estate planning, you can play a vital role in supporting this ongoing work and contribute to a lasting legacy that will benefit Dharma students for generations to come.

Ways to Include LYWA in Your Estate Planning

We recommend consulting with your financial advisor to ensure your planned giving aligns with your philanthropic goals and has a lasting impact.

Bequeathing a Gift from Your Will or Trust

Lama and Rinpoche, 1975
Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche at the 8th Meditation Course, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 1975.

You can make a charitable bequest by designating a portion of your estate to LYWA through a will or trust. Common types of bequests include:

  • Cash Bequest: A specific amount of money.
  • Percentage Bequest: A percentage of the total estate.
  • Residual Bequest: The remaining value of the estate after all other bequests have been paid.

If you want to add Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive as a gift in your existing will, you can do so with a codicil, a simple legal addendum. Contact the attorney who drafted the original document, or use a reputable online template.

Retirement Plan or Bank Account

You can designate LYWA as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or a bank account. This can be a straightforward way to make a significant impact.

Life Insurance Policy

Naming LYWA as a life insurance policy beneficiary allows you to contribute to the Lamas' legacy for a relatively modest current cost. This type of planned gift is a good option if you have unused retirement savings or life insurance policies you no longer need, and can help reduce tax burdens for heirs in larger estates.

Charitable Lead and Remainder Trusts

These are split-interest arrangements commonly used in countries like the United States, where the trust is structured to provide benefits to both charitable and private beneficiaries at different times. Note that the rules for establishing and managing charitable trusts vary internationally, depending on the tax laws of each country.
 
Charitable Lead Trust: Allows you to support a non-profit for a fixed term. After this term, the assets revert back to you or your beneficiaries, potentially offering tax advantages, depending on local laws.
 
Charitable Remainder Trust: Allows you to transfer assets, such as cash, appreciated stock or property, into a trust. You or a designated beneficiary will receive regular income for life or a set term. When the term ends, the remaining assets are distributed to your chosen non-profit.

Other Non-Cash Gifts

For information regarding other non-cash gifts such as stocks and shares, vehicles, or other in-kind donations, please see our Ways to Support LYWA page.

LYWA Gift information

To ensure your planned giving aligns with your philanthropic goals and has a lasting impact, we recommend consulting with your financial advisor. If you’d like to discuss your options or need more information about including LYWA in your estate plan, please reach out to:

Nicholas Ribush
Director, Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Email: Info@LamaYeshe.com

For some types of gifts, you may need to request additional information about LYWA. Below are the details commonly required:

Organization Name: Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive
Address: PO Box 636, Lincoln, MA 01773 USA
Tax ID Number: 04-3374479

Thank you for considering Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive in your charitable giving plans. Your support is vital to preserving and sharing the profound teachings of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche for future generations.