Thank you for considering a bequest to the Waldorf School of Atlanta. Please share the following suggested language with your attorney as you prepare or revise your will.

Unrestricted Bequest

“I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to the Waldorf School of Atlanta, an independent nonprofit school in Decatur, Georgia, for its general purposes.”

Bequest for a Specific Purpose

“I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to the Waldorf School of Atlanta, an independent nonprofit school in Decatur, Georgia, to be used for the following purpose: (scholarships, faculty support, facilities, or other designated program).”

Bequest for an Endowment

“I give and bequeath the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate (or a percentage of my estate, or a dollar amount) to the Waldorf School of Atlanta, an independent nonprofit school in Decatur, Georgia, to establish an endowed fund (or the “Your Name” Fund, or similar wording), to be held as a permanent endowment, which shall be used for (scholarships, faculty support, curriculum, or other designated purpose). Such fund shall be held, invested, and applied in accordance with the endowment policies of the Waldorf School of Atlanta as amended from time to time. However, if, at the time of my death, the realized amount is less than the minimum required to establish such an endowed fund, or in the event that such use shall, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of the Waldorf School of Atlanta, become unnecessary or impracticable, then I direct that my gift shall be devoted to such purposes as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine, keeping such use as close to my intent as possible.”

Savings Clause

If your bequest is restricted for a particular purpose, we ask that you incorporate a “savings clause” to accommodate changes over time in the needs of the school:
“In the event that such use shall, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees of the Waldorf School of Atlanta, become unnecessary or impracticable, I direct that my gift shall be devoted to such purposes as the Board, in its discretion, shall determine, keeping such use as close to my intent as possible.”

Codicil to Last Will and Testament

If your estate plans are up to date, you can simply draft a short codicil, or amendment, to the existing document, using this or similar language:
“I hereby amend my Last Will and Testament, executed on the xx day of [month] in the year 20xx. I direct that all provisions of that Will remain in effect but in addition direct that the Waldorf School of Atlanta, an independent nonprofit school in Decatur, Georgia, shall receive the sum of xxx dollars to be used to further the educational mission of the school as the Board of Trustees, in its discretion, may direct.”