Why a Gift in Your Will Matters
Did you know that gifts in wills and other legacy gifts provide critical, sustainable support to fund a thriving forest future?
Redwoods protect our air and water; they stand tall against climate change; and they offer us wonder and inspiration; play and recreation; and connect us to thousands of years of history that came before us—and will continue after us.
By protecting and connecting redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains, we can help these giants thrive, purify the air, and sustain wildlife and wonder for millennia."
Your legacy ensures that every acre will be protected and that we will fulfill our commitment to care for the forests through whatever the future holds.
In honor of J. Hugh and Eleanor Visser, an immediate matching gift of $1,000 will be activated when you include a gift to Sempervirens Fund in your estate plans.
Hugh and Eleanor were champions for redwoods and we are thrilled to share their legacy with our supporters.
The Redwood Legacy Society
With a gift in your will, you become a member of our Redwood Legacy Society, a passionate group of givers who intend for future generations to enjoy the magnificent coast redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Society members receive special recognition and invitations to Sempervirens Fund events.
Sharing your future wishes doesn’t imply any obligation—we will never ask for details you don’t want to share, and we believe strongly that you should always be free to change your mind.
A Gift in Your Will or Living Trust
There are several ways to include a gift to Sempervirens Fund in your will or living trust. Your attorney can help you determine the best way to make your gift. Some options:
- You can leave a small percentage of your estate—even 1% can make a real difference!
- You can leave a defined sum to Sempervirens Fund.
- You can leave a percentage of funds left over after other gifts and debts are paid and your loved ones are provided for.
- You can make a secondary or contingent gift that comes to Sempervirens Fund only if your other beneficiaries do not survive you or other specific gifts cannot be fulfilled.
Sempervirens Fund suggests this simple language for your will, codicil to your will, or your living trust:
“I hereby give and bequeath <description of gift> to Sempervirens Fund, a not-for-profit, tax-exempt land conservancy incorporated under the laws of the State of California, with tax ID # 94-2155097, for Sempervirens Fund’s general purposes.”
A Gift by Beneficiary Designation
You can name Sempervirens Fund as a partial or total beneficiary of your retirement accounts, life insurance plan, Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), and other financial accounts, including your bank and brokerage accounts.
As with gifts in your will, you can designate all or a percentage of the funds in your account, and you can name Sempervirens Fund as a primary beneficiary or a second-in-line beneficiary. And, of course, you can change your mind at any time.
Simple Steps to Make Your Gift
- Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank, or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form. You may be able to request or download your form from your online account portal.
- Be sure to include our Tax ID number #94-2155097
- Please let us know. Some financial institutions will not notify us after your lifetime that we are a beneficiary; sharing your wishes now helps ensure your gift will be distributed as you wish. We will always keep your information confidential, and you can update your plans at any time.
A Charitable Gift Annuity
A charitable gift annuity provides fixed payments for life in exchange for a gift of cash or securities.
A charitable gift annuity could be right for you if:
- You want to maintain or increase your cash flow.
- You want the security of fixed, dependable payments for life.
- You want to save income taxes or capital gains taxes.
- You would like income that is partially tax-free.
- You want to make a generous gift that will ultimately benefit Sempervirens Fund.
- You are considering a gift amount of $20,000 or more.
- You are at least 55 years of age.
Sempervirens Fund donors can establish a charitable gift annuity with the National Gift Annuity Foundation, and name Sempervirens Fund as the final beneficiary of the gift.
A gift annuity contract becomes a legal financial obligation of the National Gift Annuity Foundation and is backed by all of its unrestricted assets.
How…
- Donate cash or securities to the National Gift Annuity Foundation. The minimum gift requirement is $20,000.
- Receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction and potential savings in capital gains and estate tax.
- Receive life-time fixed payments for 1) you, 2) you and your spouse, or 3) any two beneficiaries you name. Note: beneficiaries must be at least 55 years old.
- Support Sempervirens Fund with the final residuum balance via the National Gift Annuity Foundation.
To learn more, please contact Amanda Krauss, CFRE, Director of Tribute and Legacy Giving by email or call/text at 650-946-1051.
You can also visit the National Gift Annuity Foundation to access information about charitable gift annuities.
A Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) unitrust can provide you and/or other beneficiaries with income for life or for a fixed number of years. Many people prefer to use real estate to fund a CRT, but you can also donate cash or appreciated securities.
For your donation, you receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your contribution to the unitrust and savings on capital gains taxes, too. You will also have the satisfaction of making a significant gift that benefits you now and Sempervirens Fund later. With this type of gift, you can:
- Avoid paying capital gains on sales of appreciated stock and real estate
- Give up the stress of being a landlord, while retaining a lifetime income stream
- Receive a significant charitable income tax deduction
- Remove assets from your taxable estate
At your death, the trust assets are used for your specified charitable purpose: buying and preserving critical redwood forest lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
We recommend that you consult your professional advisor regarding current tax law and to determine which charitable gifts are appropriate for you. We do not render tax or legal advice for any purpose.
