Fund groundbreaking research and provide valuable information to families living with diseases of the mind and sight.

Planned Giving

Resources for Donors

Download our free Estate Planning Guide, sign up for our weekly Enewsletter, or find out what types of assets make the best planned gifts.

Text Resize

Donor Stories

Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others.

  • The de la Cuesta Legacy Society: Philanthropy Honoring Lives Well-Lived
    The de la Cuesta Legacy Society: Philanthropy Honoring Lives Well-Lived
    Reginald and Margaret de la Cuesta met and married soon after serving their nation with great distinction in World War II – Reginald in the U.S. Army at Okinawa...
    More
  • A Lasting Legacy to Save Mind and Sight
    A Lasting Legacy to Save Mind and Sight
    Lorraine Maresca of Hollywood, Florida, may have lost her vision in one eye, but her generous foresight will bring us closer to cures for brain and eye disease.
    More
  • A Commitment to Help Future Generations
    A Commitment to Help Future Generations
    For Marilyn Nadolny of The Villages, Florida, Alzheimer's is personal.  Her husband Ed, of nearly 60 years, suffered from the disease for 14 years.
    More
  • Moved to Action: Glaucoma's Impact on a Family
    Moved to Action: Glaucoma's Impact on a Family
    Judy and Wayne Yendall of Buffalo have long known the impact of glaucoma. The disease runs in Judy's family, affecting her grandmother, great-aunt, father and sisters.
    More
  • The Importance of Knowledge in Saving Sight
    The Importance of Knowledge in Saving Sight
    Sally Straus of Union, New Jersey, was an office manager for a major perfume company in New York City before retiring to focus fulltime on volunteerism in her hometown.
    More
  • A Loving Memory
    A Loving Memory
    Carol Meade Pearl, lived in Odessa, Delaware for 35 years, was active in community and church activities, and was known as "our queen" and a "hostess with the mostess" by all who knew her.
    More
  • Bequests
    Bequests
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization. They believe it is important to help further our mission.
    More
  • Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Joanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
    More
  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
    More
  • Tax-Free Sale
    Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
    More
  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
    More
  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
    More
  • Endowment Gift
    Endowment Gift
    Pat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
    More
  • Sale and Unitrust
    Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
    More
  • The Retirement Unitrust
    The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
    More
  • Property Turns Into Income
    Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
    More
  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Luis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
    More
  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
    More
  • Current Gifts
    Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
    More
  • Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Keith has been a faithful supporter of BrightFocus Foundation and makes regular gifts to support our work.
    More
  • Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Harold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event BrightFocus Foundation held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
    More
  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
    More
  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
    More
  • What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
    More
  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
    More
  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
    More
  • Leading for the Future
    Leading for the Future
    Luke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
    More
  • Give it Twice Trust
    Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
    More
  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Providing for Our Children's Future
    Ron and Kathy worked for many years building their nest egg for retirement.
    More
  • Bequest of Insurance
    Bequest of Insurance
    Marla and Wayne purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future.
    More
  • Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust:  Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!
    Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!
    We have all heard the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This phrase describes a situation where we want two good things at the same time when that isn't possible.
    More
scriptsknown

Popular Giving Strategies

About Bequests

You may be looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. It is one of the most popular and flexible ways that you can support our cause.

Learn More

IRA Charitable Rollover

An IRA rollover allows people age 70½ and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.

Learn More