Make an Impact | Planned Giving
Creating a Lasting Legacy for PWS Families
Leaving a legacy is more than a choice; it’s an opportunity to be remembered in a meaningful way. As you consider the impact you wish to make, think about how you can reflect your core values and aspirations for the future.
If supporting those affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome holds a special place in your heart, we encourage you to include a gift to the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA in your estate or financial planning.
Your generosity will help us continue our vital work and make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families impacted by this condition.
Sample Language For Bequests
There are many ways to have a lasting impact by supporting PWSA | USA in your will or estate plan. The most common form of such a gift is a bequest, which allows you to contribute through your will or trust. This means the transfer of funds to PWSA | USA occurs after your lifetime, ensuring you can enjoy the asset during your lifetime. The bequest will be used to establish a named endowment fund according to your wishes as specified in your will or trust document. Additionally, your estate may receive a federal estate tax deduction for the gift, providing further financial benefits. See sample language for bequests below and consult your family attorney or financial advisor to formalize your planned gift.
Unconditional Bequest (Unrestricted Endowment): “I give, devise, and bequeath to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), located at 1032 E Brandon Blvd #4744, Brandon, FL 33511, the sum of $_______ (or any appropriately described property) for its general purposes.”
Contingent Bequest: “If any of the above named beneficiaries should predecease me, then I give, devise and bequeath the property, real or personal, which said beneficiary or beneficiaries would receive if they had survived me, to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA).”
Bequest of Residue: “I give and bequeath to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), located at 1032 E Brandon Blvd #4744, Brandon, FL 33511, the rest, residue and remainder of my property, real and personal, for its general charitable purposes.”
Bequest for a Specific Purpose: “I give and bequeath to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), located at 1032 E Brandon Blvd #4744, Brandon, FL 33511, the sum of __________ to establish the __________________ Fund, which is to be used for ____________. If at some future date, this Fund is no longer needed for the above purpose, then the Trustees of Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA) are authorized to use said income and principal for general charitable needs.”
Perpetual Annual Campaign Endowment Fund: “I give, devise, and bequeath to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA), located at 1032 E Brandon Blvd #4744, Brandon, FL 33511, the sum of $_________ to be used to endow my annual gift to Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA (PWSA | USA).”
“Like many of us, when someone does something good for you, you want to return that good deed. In my case, I volunteered my time, talent, and treasures. I no longer serve on any of the chapter or PWSA | USA national board, however, I continue to make donations and have established a planned gift. In a world where things can sometimes be overly complicated, we often yearn for simple ways to accomplish our goals. The most important thing is that you create a lasting legacy and a long-term impact. Our goal has always been for our child to be the best Prader-Willi syndrome person she can be, and through the help of the association, we’ve accomplished that – with our ups and downs, of course. I hope others consider this long-term aspect of planned giving and the long-term benefits it has.”
Jim Koerber
Former PWSA | USA Board Member and PWS Parent
Planned Giving Interest Form
Contact Us
For more information on how to include PWSA | USA in your estate plans or to notify us of your intentions, please contact development@pwsausa.org.
Thank you for considering a legacy gift to the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association | USA. Together, we can make a difference for generations to come.

Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.