Through a legacy gift to the Wisconsin Law Foundation, you can help strengthen public understanding of the law, improve the administration of justice, and support law-related public service in Wisconsin for years to come.
A legacy gift is a future charitable gift made through your estate or financial plans. It is a meaningful way to reflect your values, extend your impact, and help ensure that the law remains a public good for future generations.
Why Consider a Legacy Gift?
Legacy gifts are not only for large estates. Many supporters choose this type of giving because it allows them to make a lasting contribution without affecting their current financial security. You may designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are fulfilled.
Ways to Make a Legacy Gift
You can include the Wisconsin Law Foundation in your plans in several simple ways:
- Bequest through your will or estate plan: Name the Wisconsin Law Foundation to receive a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are made.
- Retirement accounts: Designate the Foundation as a beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement account.
- Bank or brokerage accounts: Name the Foundation as a beneficiary of certain financial accounts, where permitted.
- Personal trust: Include the Foundation as a beneficiary in your trust as part of your broader estate planning goals.
- Life insurance: Designate the Foundation as the beneficiary of a paid-up policy, or consider transferring ownership of a policy and making additional gifts to help cover future premiums.
Because every situation is different, we encourage you to consult your estate planning attorney, financial adviser, or tax professional when considering a legacy gift.
If you decide to include the Foundation in your plans, it's important to identify our legal name and tax identification number: Wisconsin Law Foundation, Tax ID 39-6063515.
Please complete the Statement of Intent and send it to us.
Direct Your Gift to the Area That Matters Most
When you make a legacy gift, you may choose to support the Foundation's overall mission or direct your gift to a fund that reflects your particular interests:
- The Primary Fund: Supports the Foundation's broad work and operational needs through grants, scholarships, awards that promote public understanding of the law, improve the administration of justice, and support law‑related public service; and ensures the future work of the Foundation for generations to come.
- Kathryn Rasmussen Bullon Fund to Enhance Legal Representation: Addresses the shortage of legal services in designated rural communities needing attorneys by supporting the Rural Practice Development Program.
- G. Lane Ware Fund for Leadership Development: Supports programming that identifies, develops, and mentors the next generation of leaders in the legal profession, the State Bar and the broader community.
- State Mock Trial Fund: Provides ongoing support for Wisconsin's High School Mock Trial Tournament, serving more than 130 schools and over 1,300 students statewide each year.
- Fund to Enhance & Promote Diversity: Supports the State Bar's diversity and inclusion initiatives, including the Diversity Clerkship Program reception, conference scholarships, speakers and programming.
Sample Bequest Language
If you and your adviser are considering a bequest, consider this sample language as a helpful starting point: Sample Will Language Form.
Your legacy can help expand access to justice, support legal education, and strengthen the programs that serve communities across Wisconsin. If you have questions or would like to let us know that you have included the Foundation in your plans, we would be glad to speak with you.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact the Wisconsin Law Foundation at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6171, or visit Wisconsin Law Foundation.