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.
Ways to leave a legacy
There are many ways to make a gift, now or later! Many options can provide significant tax benefits!
In the USA, Children of the Mekong partners with Myriad USA to receive legacy gifts.
Myriad USA accepts a wide variety of assets, including non-cash assets, and work with individuals, companies, foundations, and professional advisors to facilitate tax-efficient giving today and legacy planning for the future.
If you have questions about making a gift, contact Marie from COTM or Brenda Orellana at (212) 713-7660 brenda@myriadusa.org.
Myriad USA is a U.S. public charity within the meaning of Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors are eligible for a U.S. income tax deduction for their contributions, to the extent permitted by U.S. tax law. Myriad USA does not provide legal, tax, or investment advice and encourages all donors, fundholders, and fund advisors to consult with their professional advisors to determine the best options for their individual situations.
Bequests
One of the easiest ways to give later is via your will or estate plan. You can bequeath a specific dollar amount, property to be sold, or percentage of your estate to Myriad USA, to support our programs, your Donor Advised or Legacy Fund, or one of our American Friends Funds. To receive sample language to be included in a Last Will and Testament, please contact Brenda Orellana at (212) 713-7660 or brenda@myriadusa.org.
Life insurance policies
To give beyond your lifetime, you may name your Donor Advised or Legacy Fund or an American Friends Fund at Myriad USA as the partial or full beneficiary of a life insurance policy. To determine how an insurance policy may provide tax benefits and help you make a bigger charitable impact, contact your professional advisor.
Retirement plan assets
Retirement plan assets, such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), can be a tax-efficient way to give during and after your lifetime.
During your lifetime, a gift from your IRA directly to Myriad USA—called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD)—can help satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) and also lower your adjusted gross income. While this type of gift is not allowed for donor advised funds, it is allowed for gifts to American Friends Funds. When sending a gift from your IRA, please ensure that your full name, email address, and the name of the nonprofit or American Friends Funds you would like to support are included along with the check.
You may also make your Donor Advised or Legacy Fund or an American Friends Fund at Myriad USA a partial or full beneficiary of a retirement account, which may provide tax benefits to your estate and your heirs. To determine how giving retirement plan assets may benefit your personal situation, contact your professional advisor.
Charitable Trusts
Charitable trusts, including charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts, can be ways to support your Donor Advised Fund, Legacy Fund, or an American Friends Fund at Myriad USA while also potentially receiving tax benefits. Some trusts can even provide an income stream for you and your beneficiaries. To discuss whether a charitable trust may be a good option for your giving, contact your financial advisor and/or attorney.
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!
