Picture your estate as a pie. When you decide whom you want to share it with, you can cut big slices, little slices, or somewhere in between.

We talk to many supporters of the Culinary Institute of America who worry that leaving a gift in their will to CIA may jeopardize their family’s well-being. The pie analogy comes in handy. You dictate the serving sizes. You can ensure that your loved ones get the biggest portion of your estate. You can also make sure your family gets served first.

Here is how:

Instead of a fixed amount, consider leaving the Culinary Institute of America a percentage of your estate or of specific assets. That way, your charitable gift will adjust according to future circumstances, and gifts to loved ones will remain proportional—no matter how your estate fluctuates. Here are two ways to do it:

  1. Gift a percentage of your estate to the Culinary Institute of America in your will.
  2. Leave the Culinary Institute of America a percentage of your residual estate (the portion of your estate that remains after all gifts and bequests have been made and all claims of the estate are satisfied).

The great thing about gifts from your will is that they are flexible: You can change your mind at any time. Just know that whatever you settle on, a gift to the Culinary Institute of America does not have to be large—every slice makes a difference.

Save a Slice for the Culinary Institute of America

Even a small piece of your estate makes an impact. Contact Beth Kramer at 845-451-1460 or Beth.Kramer@culinary.edu to learn more about supporting CIA while serving family first.