You can make DonorsChoose part of your legacy by naming DonorsChoose as a beneficiary in your will or as a direct beneficiary of a retirement account or insurance policy. Including a gift to DonorsChoose is a powerful way to transform classrooms for years to come.
Add a bequest to an existing will
When you give to DonorsChoose, you’ll be able to choose to support the specific school, subject, or grade level you care about. (Without specific instructions, we’ll spend the funds on the most urgent classroom project requests.) Here is some suggested language you can use in your will:
I bequeath to DonorsChoose (www.donorschoose.org, Federal tax id: 13-4129457), the sum of $___________. My intention is that the funds are to be spent on [location, school, subject area, grade level] classroom projects on DonorsChoose.
While making a charitable legacy gift is easy using the sample language above, we also suggest you speak with your attorney or financial advisor.
Have you already included a gift in your will or trust? Please fill out this form to let us know! We would love to thank you for your generosity.
Make your will for free with FreeWill
We’ve partnered with FreeWill to make planned giving simple and accessible. FreeWill is an easy-to-use, secure online tool that allows you to create a legally valid will in about 20 minutes — at no cost to you.
Through FreeWill, you can:
- Write a will for free, or update your existing will with new provisions
- Include DonorsChoose as a beneficiary with just a few clicks
- Print your documents to sign at home or bring to your attorney
Get started here: Create your will with FreeWill
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to use FreeWill?
No. FreeWill is completely free to use, whether or not you choose to include DonorsChoose in your plans.
How do I create my will using FreeWill?
FreeWill provides a simple, intuitive and efficient way of creating wills. Start by answering simple questions about you and your wishes. At the end of those questions, you will receive a PDF document to download and print. This PDF document will include an instructions page which will guide you through signing and witnessing your document to make your will official.
Is a will from FreeWill legally valid?
Yes. As soon as you print out your will, and sign it in front of two witnesses, it is a valid legal document. If you live in Louisiana, you will need to sign your will with two witnesses in the presence of a notary public.
Do I need a lawyer?
FreeWill produces legally valid wills in all 50 states. For more complex estates, you may wish to work with an attorney. FreeWill can also generate documentation you can bring to your lawyer to make the process easier.
Who makes a good witness?
Your two witnesses should be 18 or older, be of sound mind, and cannot be named in the will.
What should I do with my will once I sign it?
Be sure to leave it in a safe, secure place, and make sure the person you’ve chosen as your executor knows exactly where it is.
I already have a will. Can I use FreeWill to update it?
Yes, you can! To do so, simply create and execute a new will using FreeWill, and destroy the earlier version.
Can I change my bequest later?
Yes. You can update your will or trust at any time as your circumstances change.
What types of gifts can I leave?
The most common option is a percentage of your estate, but you may also leave a specific dollar amount or particular assets. FreeWill will walk you through these choices.
How will DonorsChoose use my bequest?
Unless you specify otherwise, legacy gifts are directed toward DonorsChoose’s mission of empowering public school teachers to request the resources their students need. If you’d like to discuss directing your gift to a particular area, please reach out (see below).
Is my information kept private?
Yes. Any details you share with FreeWill are confidential. DonorsChoose will only be notified of your bequest if you choose to share that information.
Looking for other ways to support teachers and classrooms? Check out the different ways you can give on our site.