A Charitable Lead Trust is another significant form of charitable giving that is most appropriate for individuals with very large estates. A Charitable Lead Trust is used to get appreciating assets out of your estate and eventually to your heirs without tax on the growth. You transfer assets to a Charitable Lead Trust that provides payments to the WUSA Endowment Fund for life of a set number of years. Then the Trust principal goes to your children, grandchildren, or others absolutely free of, or at greatly reduced, federal gift and estate taxes. In essence, it is the reverse of deferred giving.

Additionally, Charitable Lead Unitrusts and Annuity Trusts are sometimes created as "grantor trusts" to qualify the donor for the charitable income tax deduction. These Trusts need not be grantor trusts to qualify the donor for the charitable estate tax deduction. A Charitable Lead Trust can be used for charitable giving during your lifetime or through your will.