Making a Bequest to Fairview

The Mary Mason Society
In 1913, Fairview Hospital was founded with a bequest made by Mary Mason, who donated the land and funds for a community hospital that would become the pride and lifeline of the southern Berkshire, tri-state community. Throughout our history, the generosity of many friends who have left a legacy to Fairview Hospital has given our hospital the resources to embrace state of the art technology to serve our community.

As we look to the future and build for the next century of care, we welcome your inquiry to the potential meaning of your gift to our community hospital. By remembering Fairview Hospital in your will, you can have a significant impact on the health care of future generations. Your bequest may have estate tax planning benefits as well.

Prospective donors should consult their legal and financial advisors concerning charitable gift planning and their personal financial and estate plans. Fairview Hospital welcomes the opportunity to assist in gift planning for the hospital, but cannot provide legal advice. The following language may help you and your attorney when drawing up a bequest that meets your needs.

General Bequest
If you intend to make an outright bequest of cash, securities or other property by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a fixed percentage of your estate to be used for general purposes: "I give, devise, and bequeath to Fairview Hospital, a Massachusetts charitable corporation, the sum of $_______  (or a description of the specific asset), for the benefit of Fairview Hospital for its unrestricted use or purpose."

Special Gift
If you intend to make an outright bequest for a specific purpose, such as support of the Emergency Department: "I give, devise, and bequeath to Fairview Hospital, a Massachusetts charitable corporation, the sum of $ _____ to be used for the following purpose: (state the purpose). If at any time in the judgment of the trustees of Fairview Hospital it is impossible or impracticable to carry out exactly the designated purpose, they shall determine an alternative purpose as near as possible to the designated purpose."

Residuary Bequest
If you intend to leave the "rest of your estate" or a set percentage of estate: "I give, devise, bequeath to Fairview Hospital, a Massachusetts charitable corporation, the residual (or ____%) of my estate to Fairview Hospital for its unrestricted use or purpose."

Endowed Bequest
If you wish to restrict the principal of your gift, requiring Fairview Hospital to use only the investment income that is generated. Creating an endowment in this manner means your gift can continue giving indefinitely. "I give, devise and bequeath to Fairview Hospital, a Massachusetts charitable corporation, the sum of $ __________ to establish and endowed bequest for the benefit of its unrestricted or general purposes." When you advise us that you have made a bequest to Fairview Hospital, you will become eligible for membership in The Mary Mason Society which recognizes, honors and thanks individuals who have made a commitment to the future of the hospital through bequests in their wills or other estate plans. You are invited to become a member by making a gift in your will or trust, naming Fairview Hospital as owner/beneficiary of you life insurance policy, or establishing other planned giving arrangements.

For further information, please contact Lauren Smith, Director of Community Relations and Development at Fairview Hospital at (413) 854-9611 or lsmith@bhs1.org.