GIVE:
legacy giving

We share the same vision for the future: A world where the caging of human beings is a distant memory and our communities have everything they need to take care of each other. Leave a lasting legacy when you include DJC in your plans.

Why you?

Are you…

  • a leader who desires to build the just world we all deserve?
  • passionate about laying the foundation for the organizers and activists of tomorrow?
  • a freedom dreamer who understands the community’s unique needs?

How is this opportunity unique?

Planned giving is for donors who think about the future strategically. There are ways to give for donors of all ages and profiles, and each way has its own benefits—benefits for both yourself and for the next generations.

There are many ways to make a planned gift to DJC. The best vehicle for you depends on your individual circumstances. Please discuss your gift planning desires with your accountant or other advisor and with DJC before making a decision on this matter. The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

Ways to Leave a Lasting Legacy

Bequests

Your will is the document through which you may pass on your legacy to family, friends, relations, and charitable organizations that you support. By making a bequest to DJC, a gift in your will or living trust, you ensure future funding for our movement.

IRA Charitable Rollover

Donors 70.5 and older are eligible to make a tax-free gift to DJC directly from their IRA called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). These gifts are tax-free, regardless of whether or not you itemize deductions on your tax return and can lower your taxable income. If you have to take a Required Minimum Distribution, QCDs are one way to reduce the tax liability.

Beneficiary Designations

Designate part or all of your IRA and other retirement or bank accounts, or life insurance policies to DJC and make a meaningful gift toward transforming the justice system.

Sample, non-binding bequest language for a Bequest

You want to leave money to DJC in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will should your life circumstances change. You can do both!

By adding just ONE sentence to your will, you can complete your gift. This type of donation to DJC in your will or living trust helps ensure that we continue our mission for years to come.

SAMPLE #1 PERCENTAGE BEQUEST:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the Detroit Justice Center (tax identification number 82-2295339), a charitable corporation organized under Michigan law, now maintaining its headquarters in Michigan at 1420 Washington Blvd, Suite 301 | Detroit, MI 48226, _______% of the rest and residue of my estate.”

SAMPLE #2 RESIDUARY BEQUEST:

“I give, devise and bequeath to, the Detroit Justice Center (tax identification number 82-2295339), a charitable corporation organized under Michigan law, now maintaining its headquarters in Michigan at 1420 Washington Blvd, Suite 301 | Detroit, MI 48226, the rest and residue of my estate.”

SAMPLE #3 BEQUEST FOR A SPECIFIC AMOUNT:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the Detroit Justice Center (tax identification number 82-2295339), a charitable corporation organized under Michigan law, now maintaining its headquarters in Michigan at 1420 Washington Blvd, Suite 301 | Detroit, MI 48226, the sum of $________________.”

SAMPLE BEQUEST #4 CONTINGENT BEQUEST:

“In the event that (name or names; i.e., spouse, children, sibling, heirs) shall not survive me, or shall die during the administration of my estate, within ____ days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give, devise and bequeath those beneficiaries’ shares of my estate to the Detroit Justice Center (tax identification number 82-2295339), a charitable corporation organized under Michigan law, now maintaining its headquarters in Michigan at 1420 Washington Blvd, Suite 301 | Detroit, MI 48226, the sum of $________________.”

It’s that easy – you’ll have made a big difference with just a few lines of text that you can change at any time! If you are considering including DJC in your will, please contact us. All inquiries are kept in the strictest confidence, but we’d like to be able to thank you since your gift will make a huge impact on our work. Contact Regina at 313-908-5987 or by email: rsharma@detroitjustice.org.

Our Fundraising Approach

Mission
Values
Approach
Gift Acceptance Policy

The Detroit Justice Center (DJC) is a non-profit law firm working alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equitable and just cities.

  • We are committed to individual and collective liberation—and recognize the two as inseparable.
  • We come to this work with a sense of responsibility, and a deep desire to use our training and talents to serve our community.
  • We work with our clients in a way that cultivates dignity and autonomy. We respect and honor each person’s humanity, we seek to understand their stories and circumstances, and we hold their freedom dreams as sacred.
  • We are committed to democratizing access to the law. We regard clients as partners in our mission. Rather than serving as gatekeepers, we aim to share tools so that people can understand, navigate, and transform disempowering systems.
  • We approach our work with a sense of joy, creativity, and purpose. We are nimble problem-solvers who look for innovative ways to respond to our community’s needs and expand our collective understanding of what is possible.
  • We value our relationships above all. We work at a pace that allows us to build deep trust with our partners and clients. We reach out to others for support and direction, and we communicate with self-awareness, empathy, and humility. Should conflicts arise, we are committed to calling each other in using practices that restore rather than punish.
  • We are hopeful; we believe that the best possible outcome is attainable and we work toward it.
  • We help our clients gain economic independence, and work to redistribute power and wealth. We work toward a society in which abundance is shared for the collective good.
  • We take our cues from movements that are fighting for racial justice and economic equity.
  • We are committed to cultivating the leadership of marginalized individuals and groups, including Black people, people of color, indigenous people, immigrants, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people involved in the criminal legal system, and people who have loved ones currently or formerly in the criminal legal system.
  • We value the collective wisdom of intergenerational experiences, and harness the power it brings to our work.
  • We seek a balance of “defense, offense, and dreaming.” We must do what we can to alleviate present suffering. We are also committed to transformational change and building a template for a more just society. It is not enough to focus on what we are fighting against; we must focus on what we are fighting for. We invite people to dream of a better future and to work toward it with us.

DJC relies on a broad community of donors to sustain our work. We see the sharing of financial resources as a critical investment in our mission. In addition to financial contributions, our donors share their personal experiences, insights, community relationships and creativity within DJC.

We strive to build strong donor relationships based on clear communication, trust, and a shared vision of justice for all people. We take donor privacy seriously and can work with you to ensure that your needs are met. We will not share or sell any donor’s personal information with anyone else or send mailings or email on behalf of other organizations.

We know that receiving a donation is a financial but also personal investment from each of our donors, and take seriously the responsibility to put each gift to the maximum possible use.

DJC accepts gifts primarily from individuals, foundations, and organizations that share a commitment to our values. We reserve the right to decline gifts from individuals or institutions that advocate viewpoints or take actions that fundamentally contradict those values.

DJC does not generally accept direct corporate donations. However, DJC will consider employee recommended gifts including matching contributions, donor advised funds, employee designations and support from employee sponsored resource and affinity groups. In some specific instances, such as mission-aligned social justice focused funds, DJC may accept or pursue financial contributions or grants from corporations. These considerations are made on a case by case basis with the members of the development team. Considerations above $50,000 are reviewed with and approved by DJC’s Executive Director. Considerations of $250,000 or above are reviewed and approved by DJC’s Executive Director and the DJC Board of Directors.

This policy may be amended from time to time at the Detroit Justice Center’s discretion.