How to Leave Money to Charity in Your Will (With Sample Bequest Wording)

Short answer

Add a clause to your will, or a codicil to the will you have, that names the charity's full legal name and tax ID and describes the gift, usually a percentage of your residuary estate. You can also skip the will entirely and name a charity as a beneficiary of an IRA, life insurance policy or bank account.

What are the ways to leave money to charity?

Type of gift	How it works	Best for
Percentage of your residuary estate	A share of whatever remains after debts, expenses and specific gifts	Most people: the gift grows or shrinks with your estate
Specific dollar amount	A fixed sum, such as $25,000	A modest, predictable gift
Specific asset	A particular item, such as shares of stock or real estate	Appreciated assets or property a charity can use
Backstop (contingent) gift	Applies only if none of the people you name survive you	Choosing a cause over relatives you didn't name, or the state
Beneficiary designation	Name a charity on an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy or bank account	Tax efficiency, with no change to your will

A percentage protects your family. If your estate shrinks because of medical bills or a market drop, a fixed-dollar gift stays the same and comes out of your family's share; a percentage shrinks with it.

What information do you need about the charity?

Its full legal name. Many charities have similar names, and the name on a fundraising letter may not be the legal name.
Its city and state.
Its federal tax ID (EIN). Look it up with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

Many charities publish the exact wording they want on a "planned giving" or "legacy" page.

What does bequest wording look like?

Sample wording to discuss with your attorney:

A percentage of your residuary estate

I give ten percent (10%) of my residuary estate to [full legal name of charity], a nonprofit organization located in [city, state], federal tax ID [EIN], for its general charitable purposes.

A specific amount

I give the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) to [full legal name of charity], [city, state], federal tax ID [EIN], for its general charitable purposes.

A cause rather than one charity

I give ten percent (10%) of my residuary estate to one or more charitable organizations described in Sections 170(c) and 2055(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, selected by my Executor, to be used for [cancer research, animal welfare, or another purpose].

A substitute-charity clause (always worth including)

If any organization named in this will does not exist at my death or cannot accept the gift, my Executor shall give that gift to one or more charitable organizations whose purposes most closely match its purposes.

Our free builder writes this wording for every cause you choose, with your percentages filled in.

Should you restrict how the money is used?

Usually not. An unrestricted gift ("for its general charitable purposes") lets the charity use the money where it's needed most. A narrow restriction, such as funding one building or one program, can become impossible to carry out, and then a court may have to redirect it under a doctrine called cy-près.

If a purpose matters to you, describe it broadly, add a substitute-charity clause, or give to a fund that stays dedicated to a cause. See how to leave a bequest that does the most good.

Do you have to rewrite your will to add a charity?

No. A codicil is a short written amendment that adds or changes a provision in your will. It must be signed with the same formalities as a will, usually in front of two witnesses. Keep it with your original will. If you have several changes, a new will is often cleaner.

Are charitable bequests tax-deductible?

For estate tax, yes. Federal law lets an estate deduct gifts to qualified charities with no upper limit (26 U.S.C. §2055). In 2026 the federal exemption is $15 million per person, so most estates owe no federal estate tax anyway (IRS). Twelve states and Washington, D.C. have their own estate taxes, most with far lower thresholds, starting at $1 million in Oregon. Charitable gifts reduce those taxes too. See charitable bequests and estate tax in 2026.

A gift in your will doesn't give you an income tax deduction while you're alive. If you're 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA lets you give up to $111,000 in 2026 directly from the account, tax-free (Congressional Research Service).

Should you tell the charity?

It's optional, but it helps. The charity can confirm its legal name and the right wording, and thank you. Telling a charity is not a binding promise; you can change your will at any time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to leave money to charity in a will?

For most people, a percentage of the residuary estate, because it adjusts automatically as your estate changes and protects your family's share.

Can I leave money to charity without a lawyer?

Yes. Many people add a charitable gift with a codicil or a will made with self-help tools. An attorney review is wise for large or complex estates, or for gifts with restrictions.

Can I leave money to more than one charity?

Yes. Give each one a percentage of your residuary estate, or a share of a single charitable gift.

What happens if the charity closes before I die?

Without a substitute-charity clause, the gift may fail or end up in court. With one, your executor gives it to the most similar charity.

Is a gift to a donor-advised fund in my will allowed?

Yes. You can leave a gift to a donor-advised fund sponsor, which is itself a public charity, and name successors to recommend grants from it.

Sources

This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws vary by state and change over time. Talk with a licensed professional about your situation. First published October 24, 2026.