Give a Planned Gift

Because of the variety of tax benefits that are designed to encourage charitable giving, planned giving may enable you to give a more significant gift than might otherwise have been possible. If you have questions about any of these giving options or if you would like to make a gift, contact Marcia Cary at 518.392.5252, ext. 202 or marcia@clctrust.org.

Note: This information is intended as general information, not specific legal or financial advice. You should consult your financial and/or legal adviser as to which options may be most beneficial for you.

Gift Type	Description	Conservation Benefit	Possible Benefits to You
Charitable IRA Rollover	Individuals who are at least 70 ½ years old may transfer up to $100,000 from a traditional or Roth IRA to a 501(c)3 public charity.	Funds assist CLC with meeting immediate conservation and programmatic priorities.	In December 2010, Congress extended tax-free distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts for charitable contributions through 2011. Annual tax-free distributions to charity from an IRA, up to $100,000 per taxpayer are allowed.
Cash Gifts	Outright gift	Gift is immediately available for ongoing programs and activities.	Income tax deduction and potential offset in capital gains tax.
Bequests	Leave certain assets to CLC in your will	Bequests enable CLC to plan for future conservation projects and activities. Bequests of land allow CLC to create a public conservation area on your property or to protect your property with an easement and sell it to generate valuable income. Anyone considering such a gift should consult with CLC staff before finalizing arrangements.	Retain ownership and management of assets during your lifetime. In certain instances, Section 2031(c) of the Internal Revenue Code allows beneficiaries to exclude up to 40 percent of the otherwise taxable value of land (not structures) that is permanently protected with a qualifying conservation easement from the estate. There are a number of criteria that must be satisfied to qualify for this exclusion, and therefore individuals interested in Section 2031(c) should work with their tax advisors or estate planners to explore this option in more detail.
Tangible Personal Property	Gifts of personal property such as automobiles or jewelry	Proceeds from sale of personal property benefit conservation programs.	Full value of items can be deducted from donor’s taxable income.
Marketable Securities	Gifts of securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares	Proceeds from sale of securities benefit conservation programs.	Tax deduction based on the mean between the lowest and the highest share price on the day of the transfer.
Charitable Remainder Trust	You place assets in a trust, managed by an outside trustee. The trust pays you income during your lifetime, after which the remaining assets are donated to CLC.	Trust proceeds support CLC and enable CLC to incorporate donation into land protection planning.	Receive income; part of gift is tax-deductible; avoid capital gains on appreciated assets donated to trust; flexible term (lifetime or set number of years); opportunity to diversify assets; and potentially increased income.
Charitable Lead Trust	Annual income from a trust is paid to CLC during your lifetime, after which the remaining principle is given to a non-charitable beneficiary (or beneficiaries) such as children.	Annual payments from the trust support conservation programs.	Reduced income, gift, or estate tax; family and/or beneficiaries retain ownership of the assets.
Retained Life Estate	You make a gift of real estate and retain the right to live on the property for life or a set number of years.	Allows CLC and donor to plan for the appropriate use of the land donation and support conservation in Columbia County.	Property removed from taxable estate; income tax deduction; avoidance of capital gains on transfer of property; retained use of property.