Nettie J. Dayton Circle Newsletter :: Fall 2026 :: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Planned Giving

Fostering Community Programming in Perpetuity

Valarie Shultz-Wilson, the current vice chair of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven's board of directors, has been a champion of civil rights and an advocate for the local nonprofit sector for more than three decades.

Simple Steps to Take When Planning Your Estate

By taking a few simple steps when preparing your estate plan, you can maximize the amount that will go to charity and minimize any amount that might be lost to taxes.

4 Steps to Ensure Your Wishes Are Fulfilled

We all know that a will governs the distribution of certain assets after someone dies, but the document accomplishes more than directing how assets will be distributed.

Step 1: Ensure Your Will Can Be Located

If your will cannot be found, your estate will be distributed according to the often inflexible intestacy rules of your state of residence.

Step 2: Collect and Safeguard Assets

Once your will is accepted for probate and the executor has been duly appointed by the court, he or she may be forced to literally go on a treasure hunt to locate bank accounts, stock certificates, safe-deposit boxes, insurance policies, business records and other types of property.

Step 3: Determine Cash Needs

Many estates, regardless of size, can face a serious shortage of cash. Funeral and burial expenses, fees for attorneys and appraisers, taxes and any debts all must be paid.

Step 4: Distribute Assets

An executor's most pleasant task is distributing estate assets in accordance with the terms of a will.

3 Important Questions When Preparing Your Estate Plan

Bob Hope was known for his wisecracks, but the comedian - who selflessly gave his time and talents over the decades to entertain American troops around the world - understood the intrinsic value of helping others.

Honor a Loved One with a Tribute Gift and Join the Nettie J. Dayton Circle

Tribute gifts have become particularly popular in recent years as donors seek ways to honor their loved ones.

Request Your Complimentary Guide: A Personal and Charitable Financial Record

Use this helpful guide to plan or update your will:

Record all of your vital statistics and financial information.
Get ideas about how to meet your family’s needs while helping The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
Share your updated information with your estate-planning advisors.