You believe in the work of MDA, and you want to ensure that we will be a force for good in the lives of generations of individuals to come. You want your gift to make a difference for us, but are concerned about your own future financial needs and those of your family.

We deeply appreciate your assistance, and try to make it as rewarding for you as it is for us. That's why we want you to know about the financial tools you can use to plan your gift to us so that it returns benefits to you:

• You don't have to use cash to make your gift -- you can give us appreciated securities instead, and use an asset that costs you less than the tax deduction you'll get for it today.

• You may be holding assets that would benefit MDA more than they do you -- such as a life insurance policy that you no longer need, a parcel of real estate like a second home or undeveloped land, or a collection of books or artwork that you no longer have room to display.

• You can make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime - make us a beneficiary of your will or revocable trust, or a beneficiary of your retirement plan, and leave your cash flow and current financial planning uninterrupted.

• You can make MDA a partner in your giving -- you can deed us your home but continue to live there or you can make a gift that pays you lifetime income.

These tools are called planned gifts, and this website is the place to learn more about them. Where to start? If you already know something about your giving options, click on Ways to Give Wisely and go right to the planned gifts that you want to read more about. If you're not sure how a gift can meet both your charitable and personal goals, first go to Discover the Benefits of Giving Wisely to learn how planned gifts work and how they can stretch your giving ability.

When you're ready to hear more, complete the Information Request Form for follow-up information from us.