Planned Giving
Supporting the Future of Ananda
Planned giving offers a meaningful way to ensure that Ananda’s teachings, communities, and service continue to inspire generations to come. By thoughtfully including Ananda in your will or long-term financial plans, you help sustain the spiritual work that has supported your own journey and the journeys of countless others.
Such gifts reflect a vision that extends beyond a lifetime—an expression of gratitude, devotion, and trust in the enduring power of these teachings. Planned giving allows you to align your values with your legacy, supporting Ananda’s future in a way that is both practical and deeply heartfelt.
Practical ways of planned giving
Include Ananda in your will or living trust by designating a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other bequests are fulfilled.
Name Ananda as a beneficiary of retirement accounts (such as a pension or provident fund), life insurance policies, or investment accounts. This is often one of the simplest ways to give.
Donate land, homes, or other real estate, either outright or through a planned arrangement that aligns with your long-term goals.
Contribute shares, mutual funds, or other investments as part of a long-term giving plan, which may also offer tax advantages.
How to include Ananda in your Will
A will is a document written by a living person stating his/her wishes to be executed after his/her death. Primarily a Will states how the writer’s assets are to be distributed after discharging his/her liability. A person who writes a Will is called Testator.
Consider the following key elements in writing a Will.
A clear and comprehensive list of your assets, including property, bank accounts, investments, insurance policies, and personal valuables.
The individuals or organizations you wish to receive your assets, along with specific details on how and in what proportion the assets should be distributed.
A trusted person appointed to carry out the instructions of your will, ensuring that assets are distributed according to your wishes and legal requirements.
Planning your Will
This guide offers practical thoughts on planning; it is not intended as a guide to writing a Will. Drafting a Will is a task best entrusted to a qualified attorney who is familiar with the relevant laws and procedures. We strongly recommend not attempting to draft your own Will or copying someone else’s, as doing so can lead to unintended complications.
Step 1: List your assets
Cash, stocks, bonds, insurance policies, and other financial holdings—which may change over time and should be reviewed periodically.
Land, apartments, and other real estate holdings, which are generally less likely to change over time.
Jewellery, family heirlooms, and other items of personal or emotional significance.
Movable Properties
For movable assets, it can be wise to include the intended heir as a joint account holder or nominee. This helps ensure a smoother transfer of the asset after your passing.
Immovable Properties
For immovable assets, it is generally advisable to leave specific properties to a particular individual rather than jointly to two or more heirs. This can help prevent disputes among beneficiaries.
Note: In the case of a house or flat held with a housing society, naming a nominee makes that person a trustee, not the legal heir, unless the Will explicitly specifies otherwise.
Step 2: List your liabilities
List the names, ages, and relationships of all family members, and any debts or financial responsibilities owed to family members.
Include any specific considerations such as health needs, anticipated inheritances, or pending business transactions.
Certain assets—such as life insurance proceeds, death benefits, and joint properties with survivorship usually transfer directly to the beneficiaries.
Calculate Your Estate
Subtract your total liabilities from the total value of your assets:
Estate = Total Assets – Total Liabilities
Step 3: How to allocate your estate in a Will
In your Will, you can leave specific items, cash gifts, or a lifetime income, and designate beneficiaries for your residuary estate—all assets not otherwise assigned in your Will.
Your Residuary Estate
You can name one or more beneficiaries to receive your residuary estate—the portion of your estate not specifically bequeathed elsewhere.
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Shares: Beneficiaries can receive equal or unequal portions.
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Example: Divide the residuary estate into twelve shares, allocating specific portions to sisters, nieces, nephews, friends, and charitable organizations.
Include home furnishings, jewellery, hobby equipment, automobiles, and other personal belongings. If not specifically bequeathed, these items will become part of the residuary estate.
Specify the exact amounts to be given. If the total value of your estate may fluctuate, consider using percentages instead, to ensure the gifts remain proportional and avoid unintended distortions.
Place income-generating assets in a trust to provide financial support for a beneficiary during their lifetime.
Leave property outright to a beneficiary, place it in a trust, or have your executor sell it and add the proceeds to the residuary estate.
Your Business
Indicate whether your business should be sold or passed on to family members. Special planning may be required to ensure a smooth transition of management and succession.
Avoid complications by holding gifts in trust until the child reaches age 21 or older.
Step 4: Make your Will secure and manageable
One of the most important documents you will ever sign is your Will. It is wise to review it periodically—every 5 to 7 years—to ensure it still reflects your family and financial circumstances. When your review your Will, consider the following questions.
Store your Will in a secure place—such as a home cupboard, with your legal advisor, or in a safe deposit box. It’s advisable to keep 2–3 copies in trusted locations.
Your Will should be witnessed by two individuals who are not beneficiaries—such as lawyers, doctors, or chartered accountants. If the witnesses are elderly, consider including a fitness or health certificate.
Registration is not mandatory, but it is recommended if disputes or challenges are anticipated. Videographing your Will can provide additional legal strength and clarity.
Choose a trusted confidante—ideally someone younger—to manage the administration of your estate, with professional assistance as necessary.
Avoid restricting your executor’s discretion on market-sensitive assets, such as company shares, to allow flexibility in managing your estate effectively.
Avoid complications by holding gifts in trust until the child reaches age 21 or older.
An Invitation to Leave a Lasting Legacy: Does your Will include a Charitable Bequest?
A Will is the final reflection of a person’s life and a meaningful opportunity to honor your values by supporting the charities you care about most.
Bequest language for Ananda India Guru's Legacy Fund
The following sample language can guide you in making a bequest toward Ananda India Guru’s Legacy Fund.
“I leave all [or ____ %] of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, whether immoveable or moveable property, and wherever located, to Our Guru’s Legacy fund of Ananda Sangha, N-100 Panchsheel Park, New Delhi 110017″
“I leave to Our Guru’s Legacy fund of Ananda Sangha… the sum of INR __________”.
“I leave to Our Guru’s Legacy fund of Ananda Sangha… the immoveable property described as follows: (Property description)”
A typical format for a Will
How Ananda Sangha Can Serve You
1. By offering guidance and direction in charitable estate gift planning.
2. By assisting those who wish to include Ananda as a beneficiary in their estate plans.
3. By assisting you in supporting initiatives that are particularly meaningful to you.
4. By offering a way for you to give undirected gifts in service of where they are most needed.
5. By enabling a single gift to support several areas of work within Ananda Sangha India.
6. By making it possible to give to Ananda Sangha India anonymously.
Are you ready to leave a spiritual legacy?
Beneficiary: Ananda Sangha Trust-Masters Fund
Bank: HDFC Bank
Account No: 50100481262100
IFSC Code: HDFC0000614
Branch: Geetanjali Enclave, New Delhi
To receive your 80G receipt, please email donations@anandaindia.org with the following details:
1. Your Name & Date of Birth
2. Residential Address
3. PAN Details
4. Transaction Reference Number
FOR MORE INFORMATION & DIRECT SUPPORT, CALL:
Mr. Amit Mohan, Chief Financial Officer, Ananda Sangha India
+91 9910934455