Make your mark by leaving a gift that matters

The ATSS Foundation Planned Giving program offers a way to leave a legacy

People like to make their mark in this world and often seek ways to leave a long-term legacy.

Those lofty goals can seem elusive but are easy to achieve through The ATSS Foundation Planned Giving program.

“By making The Foundation part of long-term financial planning, supporters can know they are making a difference beyond their lifetimes,” Foundation Director Lori Diaz said.

The ATSS Foundation’s core purpose is to promote roadway safety through charitable giving and public awareness programs. One of its many programs is the Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship, which helps the children and spouses of roadway workers killed or permanently disabled in a work zone incident pursue their dreams.

Planned giving can be set up in multiple ways in consultation with a financial advisor or estate planner.

Options include making a bequest in a will—such as specifying a dollar amount for The ATSS Foundation, designating a percentage of the estate or giving the remaining value once bequests to loved ones have been met.

Another option is listing The ATSS Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy or Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

People also can simply donate to The ATSS Foundation—either in general or with the funds specified for a specific program.

Establishing a financial investment in The Foundation through planned giving provides a way to:

• Provide academic scholarships for loved ones of fallen or permanently disabled roadway workers until work zone deaths are eliminated.
• Honor those who died in work zones, including work zone workers, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and children through supporting the National Work Zone Memorial.
• Give children the opportunity to work through the grief of losing a loved one alongside other children dealing with a similar situation through Experience Camps Travel Scholarships.
• Support the education of new public agency engineers who specialize in work zone safety and temporary traffic control through the Marty Weed Engineering Scholarship.
• Educate the next generation of drivers through youth programs like the work zone educational activity book and a new teen driver education course.

The Foundation Legacy Circle was established to recognize individuals who make a commitment to the Foundation through their estate planning. Individuals are urged to notify The Foundation of their long-term plans by completing the gift intention form even if they prefer to not be recognized publicly.

“We are thankful for the generosity of the individuals who have already chosen to become Legacy Circle members and have assured their lives will have a lasting impact. We welcome others with questions to contact us,” Diaz said. “The best way to establish a gift, however, is in consultation with a financial planner.”

For more information, foundation@atssa.com.