What is Planned Giving?
Planned Giving is a deeply meaningful and impactful way to express your commitment to The Henry Ford and our mission. A planned gift is more than a donation — it's a statement of devotion and trust in The Henry Ford's continued role in shaping the future of innovation and education.
Planned Giving encompasses several types of deferred charitable contributions that will provide lasting support to The Henry Ford for years to come. These gifts — including bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, life insurance, real estate and others — help sustain our mission for future generations.
Giving Opportunities
Include The Henry Ford in Your Will or Trust
Support The Henry Ford Through Non-Probate Assets
Non-Probate Assets
IRA: Retirement assets are an easy and tax-smart way for you to make an impact on the next generation. Donors aged 70 1/2 or older may make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) up to $108,000 to a charity from their individual retirement accounts (IRAs). These contributions may also qualify to meet one's required minimum distributions. Please contact us for more information on this tax-advantaged giving opportunity.
For donors interested in making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to The Henry Ford, we have provided a form to assist you in communicating directly with your retirement account holder.
Make The Henry Ford a Beneficiary: You may wish to make The Henry Ford the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or 401K as a way of making a larger contribution that is more affordable during your lifetime, while also benefiting from tax advantages. By naming The Henry Ford as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, you can ensure that we will receive a significant donation upon your passing, without depleting your current assets. You may receive income tax deductions for premium payments made to the policy if you transfer ownership to The Henry Ford, creating a win-win situation. This strategy allows you to contribute to preserving The Henry Ford's mission while leaving a lasting legacy of support.
Gifts that Provide Income
A CRT allows you to receive income from the trust for a set period or for life, with the remaining assets benefiting The Henry Ford after the income term ends. A CLT provides income to The Henry Ford for a specified period, with the remaining assets going to you or your beneficiaries. A CGA involves giving a gift to The Henry Ford in exchange for fixed income for life or a term, with the remainder going to The Henry Ford upon your passing. You may choose these options to help preserve and promote American innovation, history and education while receiving income, tax advantages and the satisfaction of leaving a lasting legacy at The Henry Ford.
Please note, there is a $10,000 minimum threshold for Charitable Gift Annuities.
An Example of How it Works:
Dennis, 66, and Mary, 65, want to make a contribution to The Henry Ford, but they also want to ensure that they have dependable income during their retirement years. They establish a $20,000 charitable gift annuity.
Based on their ages, they will receive a payment rate of 5.1%, which means that they will receive $1,020 each year for the remainder of their lives. They're also eligible for a federal income tax charitable deduction of $6,402* when they itemize. Finally, they know that after their lifetimes, the remaining amount will be used to support The Henry Ford's mission.
*Based on a 5.2% charitable midterm federal rate. Deductions and calculations will vary depending on your personal circumstances.
- 313-982-6115313-982-6115
- giving@thehenryford.orggiving@thehenryford.org
Clara Bryant Ford Society
The Clara Bryant Ford Society was established to recognize and thank those of you who have included The Henry Ford in their estate plans. Your legacy endows and perpetuates The Henry Ford's mission to inspire people to learn from America's traditions of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation to help shape a better future.
Your willingness to be listed as a member of the Clara Bryant Ford Society encourages others to follow your example. We respect those who wish to remain anonymous, but we urge you to let us know of your plans on a confidential basis, as it allows The Henry Ford to plan for the future.
We are thrilled to offer a variety of special opportunities to our Clara Bryant Ford Society members, including invitations to exclusive events and recognition.
- 313-982-6115313-982-6115
- giving@thehenryford.orggiving@thehenryford.org
More to Explore

Donor Societies
Become a Donor Society member and join a community dedicated to ensuring that The Henry Ford continues to inspire the next generation of innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs.

Membership
Help us preserve history and inspire innovation. Become a member today to make a lasting impact.
