Planned Giving

Why Give to LifeLinks?

By donating to LifeLinks, you are joining our mission of ensuring that high quality, cost effective, outpatient mental health services are available for children, adolescents and adults in our community.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”
Winston Churchill

Since 1965 Coles County Mental Health Association, Inc., doing business as LifeLinks Mental Health, has believed in the resiliency of individuals with mental problems and has been committed to assisting consumers in their recovery process.

Annually, we serve approximately 3,400 adults, adolescents and children. Your donation will allow us to continue to help these individuals reach recovery.

How Can You Help?

Direct Gifts of Cash.
Donations made by cash, check, PayPal, or credit card are always appreciated. Since LifeLinks is a not for profit 501c3 agency, you will receive an income tax receipt for your donation. These funds will be used as needed for operations, capital improvements and service provision.


Bequests.
Include LifeLinks in your estate plans by naming us in your will. After making provisions for your family, you can provide a percentage of your estate to LifeLinks.

A fixed dollar amount can be mentioned as well, but you find that a percentage is easier and doesn’t need to be reviewed as time passes.  Your attorney or financial planner can help with the specific bequest language to include in your will.


Life Insurance
A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to support us.  If your life insurance policy is no longer needed or will no longer benefit your survivors, consider making it a gift to LifeLinks. Through this generous act you will become a partner with LifeLinks as the community’s “connection to mental health and wellness.”

You can also designate LifeLinks as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.  You will continue to own and can make use of the policy during your lifetime. The policy will be included in your taxable estate when you pass away, but your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the gift to us.


Stocks and Securities.
Gifts of appreciated stocks or bonds are an easy way for you to support LifeLinks.

As a donor, you are entitled to take a charitable deduction for the full-market value of appreciated securities held longer than one year.

You usually avoid paying the capital gains tax that would be due if you sold the securities.


Real Estate.
Donating a house, farm or property helps you to receive a generous tax deduction on the full market value of your real estate.

By keeping the right to live in your home for life or until you no longer need it, you may stay there and receive a generous tax deduction.


Retirement Plan.
Today a significant portion of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs.

In contrast by designating LifeLinks as a beneficiary, LifeLinks will benefit from the full value of your contribution and not be taxed.  Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift donated!

Retirement plan benefits include assets held in individual retirement accounts (IRSs), 401 (k) plans, profit-sharing plans, Keogh plans and 403(b) plans.


Charitable Gift Annuity.
If you’d like to support our mission and receive steady payments during your retirement years, a charitable gift annuity may be right for you.


For more information about gift planning, please contact:

Debby Cook, Development Officer
LifeLinks
750 Broadway Avenue East
Mattoon, IL 61938
dcook@lifelinksinc.org
(217) 238-5700

PLEASE NOTE:  The information provided on this website is to illustrate planned giving options and is not intended to provide legal or tax advice.  Please consult your attorney and/or financial planner to obtain advice about your personal circumstances. 


LifeLinks Mental Health
750 Broadway Avenue East
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 238-5700