A legacy fund in the USA
With a Legacy Fund at Myriad USA, you can provide continued support to schoolchildren in Southeast Asia, forever or for a specific number of years. Children of the Mekong is partnering with Myriad USA so that you can support our educational programmes. Myriad is a knowledgeable and reliable partner that can help you fulfill your giving goals and sustain the organizations and communities like Children of the Mekong close to your heart.
How can you support children’s education in Southeast Asia?
Myriad USA will work with you to structure your fund so that it supports Children of the Mekong’s work in Southeast Asia. Children of the Mekong supports children from seven different countries through ways such as funding scholarships, construction projects like education centres and providing electricity or equipment necessary for children to excel in their path to a brighter future. Your fund can provide continued support to Children of the Mekong’s priorities of action. These include supporting children with disabilities, those from isolated populations and ethnic minorities, refugees, children living in informal settlements, and girls’ as well as young children’s education. You can also name your fund in honor of a loved one or a family member.
CREATING A FUND ON YOUR TIMELINE
Legacy Funds with Myriad USA require a $250,000 balance to begin grantmaking. You can make gifts to your fund all at once or over time, now or later. Many people like to include a charitable gift in their will, or give via a trust, a retirement account, or a life insurance policy. Myriad USA can help you consider your options and give in a way that is easy and tax smart.
INVESTING ASSETS FOR LONG-TERM SUPPORT
Your fund assets will be invested, under the guidance of Myriad USA’s Investment Committee, allowing them to earn income and grow tax-free over time. You can select one of our investment pools or, with a fund balance of $750,000 or more, recommend an investment advisor of your choice. Your support to Children of the Mekong will make differences to the lives of hundreds of children!
GRANTING TO FULFILL YOUR GOALS
Each year Myriad USA will grant a percentage of your fund assets to Children of the Mekong’s initiatives, based on the objective and the timeline described in your fund agreement. For forever funds, the annual distribution percentage is set by the Board of Myriad USA. Children of the Mekong and Myriad USA will identify specific projects or programs to support. Children of the Mekong is currently working on funding many sponsorships and projects across Southeast Asia. These include constructing a home for young girls in Hakka, Myanmar or helping children continue their education at the Sisophon centre in Cambodia. With a legacy fund, you can help Children of the Mekong continue to support future generations!
FEES
Legacy Funds are subject to an investment fee of 70 basis points (i.e., 0.7% of the invested assets per year). This fee structure is all inclusive – no fees will be charged on grant distributions, and there are no other legal, due diligence or maintenance fees.
In what ways can you give?
There are many ways to make a gift, now or later! Many options can provide significant tax benefits!
TODAY
CASH
Cash is a quick and easy way to make a gift while also taking advantage of potential income tax benefits in the same year.
APPRECIATED SECURITIES
Gifts of appreciated, publicly traded stock may provide an income tax deduction and may also help you avoid capital gains tax.
REAL ESTATE OR OTHER PROPERTY
Donate your home or other property to charity, and you can remove the work of managing or selling it, while receiving potential tax benefits. You also can donate your home and still live there for life.
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Various cryptocurrencies can be donated to Myriad USA, and by gifting it, you may avoid capital gains tax.
BUSINESS INTERESTS AND CLOSELY HELD STOCK
If you own a business or hold stock in a closely held corporation, you may benefit from a tax deduction by donating these assets.
LATER
GIFTS THROUGH YOUR WILL
Making a gift through your will is easy, and it also may reduce your taxable estate. This kind of gift has no cost during your lifetime, but it has the potential to have a perpetual impact.
RETIREMENT ASSETS
Your 401(k), IRA or other retirement plan may be taxed significantly if passed on to your heirs, yet it’s tax free to charity and can be used to support the causes or geographies you care about.
BANK OR BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS
You can name your Legacy Fund at Myriad USA as the beneficiary of a bank or brokerage account, simplifying the estate administration for your heirs.
LIFE INSURANCE
By donating a life insurance policy or naming your Legacy Fund as a beneficiary, you may be able to claim a tax deduction or reduce your estate tax liability.
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST
This allows you to make a charitable gift, receive income throughout your lifetime or for a specific number of years, and also potentially receive tax benefits.
Daniel A., Testator
“This legacy could help bring a classroom to life somewhere in Asia.”
“My connection with Children of the Mekong began when I visited a close friend of my mother. He was sponsoring a young Cambodian girl, and one of the charity’s newsletters caught my eye. We talked about the work they do, and I decided to support a child myself and follow their story.
Over the past 31 years, I have supported 14 children from Southeast Asia, and I am currently sponsoring two more. Along the way, I have grown deeply interested in these countries, especially Cambodia. I was deeply moved by the mass exodus of Cambodian people and the hardships faced by refugees in Thai camps between 1970 and 1990. My desire to help the children of this country and my understanding of its history and politics have grown alongside each other.
I have been thinking about my estate for more than five years. I have been fortunate to live a comfortable life and enjoy a good retirement, but I have no heirs. I was raised Catholic, but I am not a believer. I want my life insurance to build something lasting and for my legacy to make a real difference for generations to come.
It would continue my commitment to Children of the Mekong. I trust this charity completely for its long experience and careful handling of funds, which has earned my loyalty and steady support. With a generous legacy, a primary school class could come alive somewhere in Asia.”
Daniel interviewed by Jonathan Konitz in La Vie, August 2024.
Children of the Mekong is deeply committed to ensuring that the children of Southeast Asia can excel in school and have a chance at building a stable life regardless of their background or their family’s economic situation. We are therefore committed to looking for ways in which we can support children financially in as many ways as possible. We are always grateful for any sort of help and we thank you for your generosity!
