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Leaving a Legacy for Wildlife Conservation and Education
The full recovery of the Bald Eagle and great strides with the California Condor in central California, plus tens of thousands of youth having been provided outdoor experiences are several examples of our donors' impact. Imagine what more can be accomplished with your legacy. |
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Whether intending to help us recover wildlife back to nature, such as the California Condor, or to create opportunities for youth to develop an appreciation for the natural world, leaving a legacy is the ultimate gift. Bequests and charitable trusts are greatly appreciated. Another way you can make a lasting gift is to name Ventana Wildlife Society as a beneficiary in your life insurance policy or retirement plan. Outright gifts of stock and other assets can be made at any time. Managing highly appreciated assets such as real property, can be an excellent way to reduce tax burden to you and your family and in some cases you can also receive an income while benefiting wildlife conservation and education.
We wish to extend much appreciation to those who have remembered Ventana Wildlife Society in their planned giving. If you would like to speak with someone about planned giving options that benefit the mission of Ventana Wildlife Society, please contact Kelly Sorenson at 831-800-7420 or submit this online form. |
• Recognizing the legacy of individuals whose estate gifts have matured:
William Bartz Valerie Borton Howard and Elva Elliott Joyce Harris Helen Jack Dorothy Karnow Stephen Kresge Marguerite Little A Hadley Osborn Jaclyn Rusch Nancy Tyner |
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VWS Legacy Society Members
Dana Abbott
Virdette L Brumm, PhD and Robertson Parkman, PhD Mary Shaffer and Jerry Bunin Barbara Baldock and Phillip Butler Jack-e Cook Denise Davis Sandy Decker and Karen Mortillaro Steve and Sona Dennis Charles and Diane DeWeese Bonnie Doran Paul and Judy Faryolatt Paul and Elizabeth Ferguson Randolph Floyd Carla and David Garnham Kathryn Hannay Joanne Horton Sheri Howe Jan Loomis Ada and Salvatore "Sal" Lucido Kristiane Maas Margaret Maas John McLemore Jack Mommsen and Mary Glynn Kerry Morris Shirley Nootbaar Eugene Rizzo and Maya Hartman Rizzo Mark Rush Sheri Rushing Pamela Shade Janet Shing Dianne Simmons Bert Smith Kelly Sorenson Jerry and Cheryl Stidham Frank and Barbara Strehlitz John Tindal Jim and Annie Tokarz Kris Trottingwolf |
Legacy Member Spotlight
Sal and Ada Lucido
In 2005, Sal and Ada donated 20% ownership share of an 80-acre parcel to VWS, now operated as the Condor Sanctuary in Big Sur. The remaining ownership shares were sold to VWS at a bargain price in 2011. In 2025, the Lucido's created the Rancho Dos Arroyos Facilities and Maintenance Endowment Fund, which supports improvement and infrastructure such as facilities, roads, water systems, fire abatement measures and programs for the benefit of the property in perpetuity. Read more... |
Planned Giving Options
A Brief Guide to: 1. Gifts through your will | 2. Gifts of life Insurance | 3. Charitable Lead Trusts | 4. Charitable Remainder Unitrusts | 5. Charitable Reminder Annuity Trusts
As you consider your financial and estate planning, we hope that you will also consider Ventana Wildlife Society. Not only can VWS put your gifts to use, we can also save you tax dollars through the charitable deduction and the avoidance of capital gains. In some cases, we can even increase your current income (by reinvesting your assets through a charitable remainder unitrust or annuity trust)
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1. GIFTS THROUGH YOUR WILL
If your estate is subject to the federal estate tax, a charitable bequest can save significant tax dollars. VWS can be named as a beneficiary in your will in any one of a number of ways. Outright Bequests: You can specify an outright gift of cash, securities, real estate, or tangible personal property. If you bequeath dollars, you may wish to bequeath a certain fraction or percentage of your estate to us, rather than a fixed sum; this serves as a hedge against both inflation and unforeseen shrinkage, and assures your heirs their proportionate share. Residual Bequest: A residual bequest provides that, after specific bequests are made to named individuals, we receive the "residue" or the amount remaining in the estate. Contingent Bequests: A contingent bequest means that we will receive certain assets only if a named individual does not survive you. For example, you could provide for VWS to receive a bequest only if your spouse does not survive you. Such a provision recognizes the need to provide first for the security of others. Testamentary Trust, literally meaning, “Not put into effect until death”: Such a trust can provide income for another person or persons for life, with the principal ultimately passing to VWS. In the alternative, you could designate that the income come to VWS for a certain number of years and the principal ultimately pass to family members and others. Codicil: If you already have a valid, up-to-date will, you can have your attorney prepare a codicil to your will naming VWS as a beneficiary without having to rewrite your entire will. |
2. GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE
Life insurance provides another excellent means for making a gift to VWS. This can be done either by purchasing a new life insurance policy or by contributing a policy which you currently own, but no longer need. VWS can be designated as the beneficiary of the policy, while you retain the right to change the beneficiary at a later date, and otherwise retain your ownership of the policy. In this instance, no current federal income tax charitable deduction is available to you since you would still be the owner of the policy. However, at the time of your death, your estate would receive a charitable deduction when the proceeds of the policy are paid to VWS. To receive a current federal income tax deduction, you would need to designate VWS as both the owner and the beneficiary of the life insurance policy. When such a gift is made, the deduction will be approximately equal to the cash value of the policy at the time of the gift. Many donors decide to continue to pay the premiums on the policy after the gift is made, in which case the additional premium payments will be tax deductible next year. |
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3. CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS
The creation of a charitable lead trust allows you to pass significant assets on to younger family members with little or no gift or estate tax payable to the government. Under this arrangement, you transfer assets to a trustee who would then make annual payments to VWS for a specified number of years, after which time the assets remaining in the trust would go to your children, grandchildren, or others. For individuals in high estate and gift tax brackets, this trust means the opportunity to transfer substantial assets to younger generations, completely or significantly free of transfer taxes. Example: With $100,000 in assets, you could create a charitable lead trust which would pay VWS 6% of the fair market value of the trust each year for 20 years. At the end of the 20-year period, the trust would terminate and the trust principal remaining (including any asset appreciation) could be distributed to your children or grandchildren. Under present IRS tables, there will be no transfer tax payable, assuming you have not used any of your unified credit. |
4. CHARITABLE REMAINDER UNITRUSTS
A charitable remainder unitrust allows you to make a substantial gift to VWS and continue to receive income from the assets contributed. Your gift is administered separately as a trust. At the time the trust is created, you give instructions to the trustee (trustee can be a bank, VWS, etc.) to pay you or another designated beneficiary(ies) income for life. You may decide, within certain limitations, the rate of return you will receive on the trust's assets. After the life income payments to you and/or the other designated beneficiary(ies) terminate, VWS receive the remainder of the assets in trust. With the unitrust, you receive annually a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust's assets, as those assets are revalued annually. Thus, the income paid out will vary from year to year based upon the performance of the trust's investments. The fixed percentage paid out must be at least 5%. Thus, if you contribute stock that pays a low dividend, the unitrust can sell it and reinvest in assets with a higher income yield - and that higher income can be passed along to you. Upon the creation of a unitrust, you receive a substantial federal income tax charitable contribution deduction based upon the age of the beneficiary(ies), the rate of return specified in the trust, and other factors. The older the beneficiary(ies), the higher the charitable deduction. Another benefit of the unitrust is that you generally incur no capital gain on the transfer of appreciated assets to fund the trust. The assets can be any number of items, including property, stocks, cash, and other assets of value. Example: You create a unitrust to pay you 6% each year and initially contribute $100,000 to the trust. During the first year, you will receive $6,000 from the trust. If the trust's assets are valued at $110,000 at the beginning of the second year, you will receive $6,600 ($110,000 x 6%) for the second year. This same calculation will be made each subsequent year. In addition to this income, you receive a substantial charitable deduction in the year you create the trust. Thus, your effective yield on the trust will be much higher than the actual 6% payout specified, because of the tax advantages. |
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5. CHARITABLE REMAINDER ANNUITY TRUSTS
Annuity trusts are very similar to unitrusts except that, with an annuity trust, the life income beneficiary(ies) receive annually a fixed dollar amount, rather than a fixed percentage of the assets in the trust. You may stipulate, for example, that you receive $6,000 (or some other fixed sum) each year as a result of setting up a $100,000 annuity trust. This form of trust is appropriate for those who prefer a fixed annual income, unaffected by changes in the stock market, interest rates, and the like. As with the unitrust, the annuity trust provides a substantial federal income tax charitable contribution deduction. Also, you generally incur no capital gain on the transfer of appreciated assets to fund the trust. Example: You establish an annuity trust with $100,000. You specify that you will receive annual income of $6,000 from the trust, with the payments to be made quarterly. |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Planned giving can be complex, and every individual’s situation is unique. We encourage you to consult with your accountant, attorney, or tax advisor to determine which options work best for you. Ventana Wildlife Society appreciates your interest and would be pleased to meet with you or provide additional information.
Planned giving can be complex, and every individual’s situation is unique. We encourage you to consult with your accountant, attorney, or tax advisor to determine which options work best for you. Ventana Wildlife Society appreciates your interest and would be pleased to meet with you or provide additional information.
