Seeds of Hope
A Legacy of Love and Compassion
A seed is a promise—of life, of transformation, of a future waiting to unfold. Seeds of Hope, the Planned Giving Program of Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community, is an invitation to plant something lasting: a legacy of love and compassion that will continue to bloom for generations to come.
“In 2005, during a teaching on Shantideva given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he emphasized the urgent importance of preserving Tibetan culture and ensuring that Tibetans pursue higher education in the 21st century. Inspired by his words, I made a promise that day that I would help send as many Tibetan students to college as I could.
Most recently, in Dharamsala in 2025, I had the honor of receiving His Holiness’s blessing once again for this mission. I was also able to share with him the progress we have made: to date, we have helped support nine students—seven of them at Jhamtse Gatsal—and I am currently assisting four more, three of whom are also at Jhamtse Gatsal.
His Holiness was visibly moved and expressed his deep happiness. The students know that he is aware of their journey and is proud of their efforts. It is clear that Jhamtse Gatsal will continue to play a central role in my Trust’s work, ensuring that this promise is upheld and that the next generation of compassionate, courageous minds will thrive for years to come.
This is how we change the world.
~ Barbara C.
You can make a generational impact
By including Jhamtse in your estate plans, you are not merely making a gift—you are becoming part of a living, breathing community of compassion. Your generosity becomes the fertile soil where love takes root, the gentle rain that nurtures hearts in need, and the warm sunlight that allows children and adults alike to reach their fullest potential. Through your Seeds of Hope legacy, you are supporting the children of Jhamtse Gatsal and ensuring that the spirit of love and compassion continues to thrive, sustaining the mission of rekindling the human spirit and rebuilding the human community across the globe.
Imagine the lives transformed because of your love—the hands held, the dreams lifted, the laughter that will echo for generations. By choosing to plant a Seed of Hope, you are offering more than a gift; you are creating a lasting reflection of your care and shaping a world of flourishing for generations to come.
“When I first established my trust, in addition to my family, I named several large organizations committed to social and environmental justice. But more recently, I changed my trust so that the remainder will all go to Jhamtse International. I want to leave a legacy that will continue to nurture seeds of compassion on a very personal and individual level. I know that my modest legacy to Jhamtse International will make a big difference in securing the future of Jhamtse Gatsal, and promoting a more loving and compassionate world.”
~ Beezy B.
When you plant a Seed of Hope, your love does not fade—it flourishes, forever.
How Can I Make A Difference?
There are many questions you should ask when thinking about giving a charitable donation. You should carefully consider what to give, when to give, and how to give. By answering all these questions, your planned gifts will not only benefit the organization of your choice but can also preserve the financial security for the future needs of you, your family, and for those you care about.
Below are some examples of ways that you can support the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community and its mission.
Bequests
The bequest is the most common type of planned gift and can allow you to gain long-term tax savings. A bequest is a gift by will or trust of cash, securities, real estate or personal property. Two common types of bequests are Residuary Bequest (give a percentage or all the “rest, residuary & remainder” of your estate to Jhamtse International after first taking care of all other provisions of your will or trust), and Outright Bequests (give a specific dollar amount or particular asset to Jhamtse International.)
If you decide to make a bequest to Jhamtse International in your will or living trust, here is some suggested language to bring to your attorney:
After fulfilling all other specific provisions, I give, devise and bequeath ___% of the rest, residuary and remainder to Jhamtse International, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation (Tax ID# 20-2502000) with a mailing address of:
Jhamtse International
PO Box 291
Concord, MA 01742-9998
Gifts of Stocks and Other Securities
Gifts of public stock or stock in closely held companies that have risen in value and you have owned for a year can be wonderful and very tax-wise ways to leave your legacy to Jhamtse. In addition to a charitable deduction for the gift, you avoid all capital gains tax.
Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Gift Annuities are a popular way of making a gift now, while ensuring a fixed, income for you and/or your spouse or partner that you can never outlive. With a gift annuity, you make a gift of cash or securities to Jhamtse International and receive fixed, guaranteed, payments for life. Typically, 60% of gift annuity payment will be tax free and you will receive a charitable income tax deduction as well. When the beneficiaries pass on, Jhamtse International will use the remainder to benefit the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. Gift Annuities start at $10,000.
Gifts of Retirement Funds
You can make Jhamtse International the remainder beneficiary of retirement funds such as IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), Keogh plans, or other retirement plans. There are special income tax benefits for making a gift in these ways.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
These special arrangements can provide a lifetime income to you and/or your loved one, avoid capital gains tax, and produce a sizable income tax deduction. After you and your significant other pass on, the remainder will support the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. You chose the payout rate, the investments and even the trustee, which may be yourself, Jhamtse International or anyone else. Remainder Trusts can be quite flexible and designed to meet your needs. Remainder Trusts can be done during lifetime or by will. They typically involve gifts of $100,000 or more.
Gifts of Real Estate
If you own your home, a vacation home, or other property, you can donate it and avoid a capital gains tax. At the same time, you can receive a charitable deduction for the value of the property. You may also wish to give your home as a gift and live in it for your lifetime and receive a sizable income tax deduction.
Gifts of Life Insurance
Life insurance policies can be a wonderful gift. You can name Jhamtse International as a beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the proceeds from a policy. Or you can choose to make a gift of the policy today with possible benefits from tax savings.
Gifts of Personal Property
Antiques, jewelry, and collections are examples of common types of personal property that can be donated to make your commitment to a world filled with love and compassion live on.
What is a Charitable Bequest?
Simply stated, charitable bequests are gifts made through your will or living trust to a charity. A bequest can be a wonderful opportunity to support the long-term growth of the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. It is a living legacy of your kindness and support for the future growth of Jhamtse Gatsal (the garden of love and compassion) and its mission.
Why consider making a bequest to Jhamtse International?
Bequests make a real difference for the next generation of students at the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. A bequest helps Jhamtse Gatsal continue its mission of nurturing seeds of compassion to blossom in profound ways. Children’s lives will be transformed. Limitless opportunities will abound, and a generational cycle of poverty will be permanently broken.
By naming Jhamtse International in your will or living trust, you will be helping to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community and its mission to rekindle the human spirit and rebuild the human community.
Bequests do not reduce current assets.
Many Jhamtse Gatsal supporters want to do more but are not able to do so right now. A gift by will or living trust means that you have all your assets available for any needs that might arise. A bequest means that you make the gift when you no longer need to have the funds available.
Bequests can be made after taking care of family.
Family always comes first. You can remember Jhamtse International by including a percentage of the remainder of your estate or trust after providing for your family. Only if there is enough for family and others important to you will the gift to Jhamtse International occur.
Bequests allow you to distribute your assets to Jhamtse International in the manner most appropriate to your circumstances. You can specify a dollar amount, a percentage of the estate or the residual part of the estate, as well as make the gift contingent on specific future events.
Bequests may also reduce estate taxes.
Giving a charitable bequest can decrease the size of your estate and possibly reduce your estate taxes. Certain kinds of gifts, such as US savings bonds, retirement funds, annuities and some mortgages can generate significant income taxes and even estate taxes if given to living individuals in your estate plans but will be fully tax free if given to Jhamtse International.
Bequests can be easily modified at any time until death.
If your circumstances change, you can easily modify your will at any time. Changes can be made inexpensively by drafting a new will or living trust or by amending your existing document.
Types of Bequests
Deciding to include Jhamtse International in your estate plans is a very personal choice. There are several bequest options that you include in your will or living trust to help you instruct your family and friends on what to do with the assets that you have accumulated in this life.
Below are a few examples.
Residuary Bequest
Give a ____% or all the “rest, residuary and remainder” of your estate to Jhamtse International after taking care of all other gifts, taxes and other specific gifts.
Outright Bequests
Give a specific amount, asset or estate percentage to Jhamtse International.
Contingent Bequest
Plan just in case. For example: “Should I outlive my spouse or partner, $____ or ____% of my residual estate goes to Jhamtse International.”
Living Trusts
Include a gift to Jhamtse International in your living trust.
Retirement Fund Gift
Consider naming Jhamtse International as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), company retirement or profit-sharing plan. If you are making any charitable bequest, it is better to make such gifts first from retirement plans to the extent practical.
Insurance
Consider naming Jhamtse International as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. If you decide to make a charitable bequest to Jhamtse International in your will or living trust, here is some suggested language that you can bring to your attorney:
Residual Bequest or Trust Gift
After fulfilling all other specific provisions, I give, devise and bequeath ____% of the rest, residuary and remainder to Jhamtse International, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation (Tax ID# 20-2502000) with a mailing address of:
Jhamtse International
PO Box 291
Concord, MA 01742-9998
Outright Bequest or Trust Gift
I give, devise and bequeath $___, ___% or _____ [name specific asset] to Jhamtse International, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation (Tax ID# 20-2502000) with Jhamtse International with a mailing address of: PO Box 291, Concord, MA 01742-9998
Contingent Bequest or Trust Gift
In the event of the death of any of the beneficiaries, I give, devise and bequeath ____% of the rest, residuary and remainder to Jhamtse International, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation (Tax ID# 20-2502000) with a mailing address of:
Jhamtse International
PO Box 291
Concord, MA 01742-9998
This gift shall be used as the board of trustees determines the need is the greatest.
What is the Jhamtse Society?
The Jhamtse Society is a community of thoughtful, kind and generous supporters of the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. By making a gift of a portion of their estates to Jhamtse International, Jhamtse Society members are making a profound difference for the children of Jhamtse Gatsal for generations to come.
The Jhamtse logo is a symbol that represents the word Jhamtse. ‘Jhamtse’ is a Tibetan word that means a deep sense of love and compassion.
Taken together, ‘Jhamtse Gatsal’ are Tibetan words that mean “garden of love and compassion”. It is in this garden that seeds of compassion are nurtured until they blossom. The generational uplifting occurs in uniquely profound and beautiful ways.
Jhamtse Society members are generously making a special commitment to help future generations by ensuring the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community and its mission live on. Their gifts to Jhamtse International help sustain the continued growth of the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community in perpetuity.
As part of the Jhamtse Society, you will join an intimate family of Jhamtse supporters. We will keep you informed and involved through:
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Special Invitations to Jhamtse Gatsal briefings with the founder of Jhamtse Gatsal, Gen Lobsang Phuntsok and the Managing Director Vasudha Wanchoo
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Special updates from Jhamtse International’s Executive Director, Mark Foley, about Jhamtse Gatsal’s work and news from inside the Community
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Priority access to new videos and content from the Community
