Plan Your Charitable Legacy
How Your Values Can Outlive You
You can contribute to the success of our mission with a gift to Save the Redwoods League in your will or other long-range plans. Your generosity helps make a lasting impact for generations to come.
Gift in Your Will
When you extend your support to Save the Redwoods League through your will or living trust, you join a visionary group of donors who have discovered the beauty of these powerful investments.
Adding a gift to your will or trust is actually quite easy. Simply ask your attorney to draft a codicil or an amendment to the existing document. If you don’t have a will or trust, you will want your attorney to craft a new document that includes your gift.
For sample language you can share with your attorney to complete a gift in your will or trust, please contact us.
Benefits of a Gift in Your Will
Along with the personal satisfaction of giving back, additional benefits include:
Flexibility. You are free to alter your plans at any time.
Versatility. You can structure your gift in different ways:
a specific amount of money, a piece of property or a percentage of your estate (to ensure that your gift remains proportionate to your estate size).
Security. You retain control over your assets should you need them during your lifetime. Also, with a gift from your residuary estate (what remains after specific gifts, taxes, debts and final expenses are satisfied), you can be sure that your loved ones receive what you intend before our organization receives a gift.
Beneficiary Designations
Three of the easiest yet tax-efficient ways to support Save the Redwoods League involve changing beneficiary designations on specific financial accounts. All you need to do is change the beneficiary designation on a document or form.
Retirement account assets are among the most tax-smart gifts. Although IRAs and 401(k) accounts are excellent vehicles to accumulate assets for use during retirement, they are far less effective for transferring wealth to your loved ones. Distributions made from your retirement account assets to your designated beneficiaries will be taxed at their ordinary income tax rates. As a nonprofit organization, we are tax-exempt and will receive the full amount of what you designate to us from your plan. It is one of the simplest and most tax-efficient ways to leave a legacy to Save the Redwoods League.
Beneficiary Designations
A savings account or certificate of deposit can provide immediate support to Save the Redwoods League after your lifetime if you name Save the Redwoods League as a beneficiary of the account through a payable-on-death (POD) designation.
Consider the advantages:
- Avoids delays or unnecessary expenses
- Gives you control of the assets throughout your lifetime
- Gives you flexibility—if your circumstances change, you may revoke the gift, withdraw the assets, or close the account
A life insurance policy may provide a way for you to make a much larger contribution than you ever thought possible. As your life evolves, so may your need for life insurance. You may now be in a position to:
- Name Save the Redwoods League as the recipient of part or all of the proceeds of a life insurance policy that is no longer needed.
- Contribute a paid-up policy to Save the Redwoods League during your lifetime, resulting in a charitable deduction for an amount about equal to your policy’s cash surrender value (if you itemize on your taxes).
- Purchase a new life insurance policy in which you name Save the Redwoods League as owner and beneficiary or co-beneficiary, depending on state law.
If you choose to contribute all or part of these assets to Save the Redwoods League, our nonprofit organization status means we can put 100% of your gift toward our work.
Beneficiary Designations
Planning a gift to benefit Save the Redwoods League is not complicated. We can work with you to find a gift that fits your situation and your philanthropic goals. To start the process, here are a few items to think about.
- Review your personal and family concerns. Your family comes first, and it is essential to carefully weigh their needs.
- Explore gift types. There are many gift types, each offering unique benefits. Talk to your estate planning attorney or contact us today to explore your options.
- Decide how you want your gift to be used. Your gift can support a specific organizational program or initiative—or you can allow us to place the funds where they are most needed.
- Select a suitable asset for your gift. Cash is the simplest option, but you may also give stocks, real estate, a life insurance policy or another asset.
- Consider your optimal income tax deduction. Gifts other than cash offer potential tax savings. Your possible charitable deduction will vary depending on the type of gift and other factors.