Maitreya Society
Houston Zen Center thrives through the generosity of your practice.
Planned giving helps insure that Houston Zen Center is able to continue to provide the teachings of the Buddha to the Houston community for the benefit of all beings.
Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of Loving-Kindness
Planned Giving
Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to leave a legacy for Houston Zen Center. Your planned gift can be tailored to your financial and estate planning goals and will provide lasting support for making the dharma available for generations to come. You can designate it with a specific purpose in mind or leave it unrestricted so it can be applied toward the areas of greatest need.
A place for refuge in Houston.
Lifetime Giving
Giving periodic gifts to Houston Zen Center can result in an income tax deduction for you. Before you make a sizable gift, be sure to seek tax advice. You're eligible for itemized deductions for charitable contributions up to a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income for cash contributions. Another limit applies for contributions of appreciated securities or property in any one year. You may be able to carry forward amounts that exceed the limit and deduct them over the next five years.
Highly appreciated securities are good candidates to give during your lifetime; in addition to the income tax deduction, you bypass the capital gains tax that would be owed if you cashed them in yourself.
Buddha at night.
Leave a Legacy
As a donor you have several options for planning your gift to Houston Zen Center:
Make a Bequest
Name HZC as a Beneficiary of your retirement funds
Name HZC as a Beneficiary of your Life Insurance
Name HZC in a Charitable Trust
Ceremonial space.
Plan Your Gift
Take these steps when making a planned gift
We can schedule an initial confidential discussion with a registered investment advisor. Contact giving@houstonzen.org for more information about your options.
We can provide you with sample language for bequests or show you how to structure specific gifts.
Contact your financial and tax advisor as well as your attorney. Let them know you are considering a planned gift to Houston Zen Center. They can assist you in determining what type of gift best suits your personal and financial circumstances.
Talk with your family and friends about your plans and personal wishes in addressing family needs as well as your legacy gifts.
Houston Zen Center is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax exempt organization. Tax I.D. is 76-0522757.
We look forward to discussing this important topic with you at your convenience. Thank you for helping the dharma to thrive in Houston, for the benefit of all beings.