April marks the 22nd anniversary of National Financial Literacy Month, a time dedicated to improving financial education and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their money. In a world full of uncertainty, enhancing your financial knowledge can help you take control of your legacy and create a lasting impact, while also supporting organizations like Medical Teams International through your generosity. 

What is Financial Literacy Month? 

Financial Literacy Month is an initiative aimed at helping individuals and families gain the knowledge and skills needed to make smart financial choices. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or are already managing your budget, savings, and investments, this month provides an opportunity to strengthen your financial foundation. 

One important aspect of financial planning is planned giving, a way to make charitable donations after your lifetime. This can include designating a beneficiary in your life insurance policy or retirement account, ensuring that your financial legacy continues to support the causes that matter most to you. 

How Financial Literacy Improves Your Future (and Helps Others)

Financial literacy is linked to many positive outcomes, including higher savings rates, less high-interest debt, and better decision-making around money. Studies show that improved financial knowledge leads to greater financial stability and long-term success. 

The benefits of financial literacy extend beyond personal well-being. By understanding personal finance, you’re not only setting yourself up for success, you’re also in a better position to support organizations like Medical Teams International, whose work is crucial to communities in need around the world. Financial Literacy Month is the perfect time to think about your long-term legacy. Planned giving allows you to leave a meaningful gift to your favorite charitable organization, like Medical Teams International, ensuring that your support continues after you’re gone. 

Hope for the Future Society: A Legacy of Compassion

If you choose to include Medical Teams International in your estate plans, you can join the Hope for the Future Society, a special group of donors whose planned gifts support life-saving work around the world. Your thoughtful planning can make a tremendous difference in the lives of individuals and families facing crisis. 

As a member of the Hope for the Future Society, you’ll receive: 

• A report on the programs you’re helping to fund 

• Special recognition, including your name displayed at our international headquarters (unless you prefer to remain anonymous) 

Let’s hear from one of our Hope for the Future donors, Phyllis Cavens, about why a planned gift to Medical Teams is so important to her.

 

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Can you tell us a little about yourself, Phyllis? 

I have been called and named many things: wife, mother, doctor, pediatrician, Christian, Lutheran, Child of God. But since 1979, I have been called a Medical Teams International Volunteer, and that name became my passion, purpose, and sense of calling. It developed within me a vision of what the Kingdom of God should look like for each refugee, each child. 

I committed my time, resources, and charitable giving to our common mission to provide lifesaving medical care globally to those most in need, the oppressed and marginalized refugees without hope, homes, or country. 

Was there a specific moment that inspired that decision?  

In 1979, I read in the paper that Ron Post, a Salem businessman, was calling for medical volunteers to go to Thailand to care for Cambodian refugees. They had just escaped after the Khmer Rouge Communist Dictator closed the border for five years and starved and killed one million of his people. I said to my husband, “This is something I can do,” and he said, “I think you should go.” Two weeks later, I joined 27 other volunteers in the mud and blood of a refugee camp and became part of the birth of Northwest Medical Teams- now known as Medical Teams International. 

How has your support for Medical Teams International evolved? 

 In 1985, Ethiopia experienced drought, famine, and ongoing tribal and civil war. The news media covered the disaster, death, starvation, and the fleeing of the people in search of safety and food. The call went out for medical volunteers by Northwest Medical Teams and my husband, Travis Cavens, MD, went on the first team and was the founding Chairman of the Board for the next ten years. Both Travis and I responded by volunteering, sometimes together, but mainly on separate teams, for 12 medical missions each to 16 countries. 

What inspired you to join Hope for the Future with a planned gift? 

When I went to college, I tithed 10% of my $5 per week spending money, much to the amusement of my roommates, “How was 50 cents going to help the student congregation at Pacific Lutheran University?” When Travis and I were married during medical school, we continued to tithe, probably at the same level since our rent was $35 a month. 

When our children, Derek and Sonja, were 8 and 10, I went on the first volunteer trip to Cambodia. They raised money to give to Northwest Medical Teams by collecting the aluminum lunch trays in their school cafeteria.  Our children set an example for us and our charitable giving. So, when we wrote our first will, it included a percentage to Medical Teams International. We learned that in a will, not to give a certain amount, but to give a certain percentage like in tithing, so that as we grew financially our hearts became more generous. 

We realized we were blessed to be a blessing. Biblically, we are commanded to Love Our Neighbors as Ourselves and Medical Teams International challenges us to Dare to Love Like Jesus.

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How You Can Get Started This April 

Here are some simple steps to get started with planned giving during Financial Literacy Month:

1. Create a Will

Did you know you can create a legally binding will for free with FreeWill? Estate planning is often seen as complicated, but FreeWill simplifies the process. People have already committed more than $11 billion to nonprofit organizations through FreeWill. It’s an easy and free way to plan your legacy and ensure that your wishes are carried out.

2. Include Medical Teams International in Your Will

Once you’ve created your will, you can choose to leave a gift to Medical Teams International. A bequest, whether a specific dollar amount, percentage of your estate, or remainder after other provisions—can make a significant impact. Here’s some sample language to use in your will:

For an unrestricted gift:
“I give to Medical Teams International, a nonprofit organization located at 14150 SW Milton Court, Tigard, Oregon 97224, or its successor, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.” 

For a specific purpose:
“I give to Medical Teams International, a nonprofit organization located at 14150 SW Milton Court, Tigard, Oregon 97224, or its successor, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate] for the purpose of [specific purpose], provided that Medical Teams International determines the need exists.” 

Our federal tax ID number is: 93-0878944.

3. Let Us Know About Your Gift

Once you’ve included Medical Teams International in your will, please let us know. We can make sure your gift is used as you intend. If you prefer to remain anonymous, we will respect your privacy. You can notify us by filling out our Planned Giving Intention Form and sending it to our office. If you have any questions about Planned Giving or other ways to support Medical Teams International, please reach out to Donor Services at [email protected] or call 503.624.1000. 

Financial Literacy Starts with You

This month, take the time to educate yourself and your loved ones about personal finance. The small steps you take today can build a secure financial future and create a meaningful legacy. By including Medical Teams International in your planned giving, you can ensure that your impact extends far beyond your lifetime. 

Thank you for considering the powerful difference you can make in the lives of others. Together, we can make the world a better place, one informed decision at a time. 

List of financial education resources that our team loves: 

I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi 

She Makes Money Moves Podcast 

The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving 

The Motley Fool 

AffordAnything Podcast 

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Jenna Forstrom | Marketing Officer, Donor Services

Jenna has served as the Marketing Officer for Donor Services at Medical Teams International since 2023. Her journey with the organization began in 2013 when she first volunteered to support people experiencing homelessness under the Burnside Bridge. Today, Jenna is dedicated to engaging and serving donors from all backgrounds and areas of giving.  Before joining Medical Teams International, Jenna spent five years in Cambodia, working in anti-human trafficking initiatives alongside her dog, Bullet. Outside of her professional endeavors, Jenna spends her spare time building and racing motorcycles.