Create your legacy of protection and advocacy for the Bay Area’s natural places by making a planned gift to Bay Nature.
Once your loved ones are provided for, consider a planned gift to Bay Nature in your will or trust or a gift by beneficiary designation. With your planned gift you make a powerful statement about protecting and advocating for the stunning natural environment of the Bay Area for many years to come.
Please let us know if you’ve included a gift for Bay Nature Institute in your will or trust or a gift by beneficiary designation. Providing us with documentation is the best way to ensure that your wishes are honored.
Gifts in a Will or Trust
A gift in your will or trust is one of the easiest and most popular ways to be a champion for Bay Area nature. It takes just a few sentences in your will to set up a gift.
With a gift to Bay Nature Institute in your will or trust:
- You retain control of the assets making up your gift.
- You can direct your gift to be used for a specific purpose (be sure to check with us to make sure your gift can be used as intended).
- You can change your gift at any time and for any reason.
Here are the most popular ways to leave a gift in your will:
- A general bequest leaves a gift of a stated sum of money in your will or trust, typically personal property or assets.
- A residuary bequest leaves a gift of a percentage of the “rest, residue and remainder” of your estate after other bequests, debts and taxes have been paid.
- A specific bequest leaves a specific dollar amount or stated fraction of your estate or a specified gift of property.
- A contingent bequest leaves a stated share of your estate, only if a spouse, partner, family member or other beneficiary does not survive you.
Gifts by Beneficiary Designation
You can name Bay Nature Institute as a beneficiary of retirement accounts, life insurance plans, CDs, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and other assets. This is one of the easiest gifts to give. It doesn’t require an estate plan or a lawyer and you can change your beneficiaries at any time. You simply contact the firm that holds your assets and ask them for a beneficiary form to fill out.
Please let us know if you have named Bay Nature Institute as a beneficiary so we can thank you for your generosity and show you the impact your gift will have.
Retirement Plan
Retirement assets, including 401(k)s and IRAs, are among the most heavily taxed, making them an ideal opportunity for charitable giving once you no longer need the assets.
Consider making Bay Nature Institute a beneficiary of your retirement assets while leaving other less-heavily taxed assets to loved ones. Bay Nature Institute is tax exempt and eligible to receive the full amount, bypassing any income taxes.
With a retirement plan gift:
- You continue to take regular lifetime withdrawals.
- You maintain flexibility to change beneficiaries at any time and for any reason.
- You avoid the potential double taxation on assets left in your retirement account.
Life Insurance Gift
Life insurance is an affordable way to leave a gift for Bay Nature Institute while you receive tax savings benefits during your lifetime.
With a life insurance gift:
- A significant gift from disposable income at a fraction of the value.
- Tax saving can be immediately realized.
- Your donation could reduce final taxes of your estate.
- Insurance gifts transfer outside the estate.
CDs, Bank and Brokerage Accounts
One of the easiest ways you can help us thrive as the only independent regional nature magazine in the country is by making Bay Nature Institute the beneficiary of a certificate of deposit, a checking or savings bank account, or brokerage account. Simply request a Pay on Death (POD) or Transfer on Death (TOD) designation form from your financial institution.
Donor Advised Fund Residuals
Final distribution of contributions remaining in a Donor Advised Fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. We hope you consider naming Bay Nature Institute as a beneficiary of your account. Or you can name us the beneficiary a portion of the account value, leaving the remaining portion for your heirs to continue your Bay Area environmental legacy.
PLEASE NOTE: Bay Nature cannot render tax or legal advice, and this information is not intended as such. Bay Nature recommends that you work with your tax, financial, and legal advisors when making a gift to Bay Nature or preparing legal documents.
If you have questions or would like additional information on planned gifts, please contact Christina Jaramillo, Development Associate, at christina@baynature.org.
Donations to Bay Nature Institute are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Bay Nature Institute’s federal tax ID#: 76-0744881.
The subscription fee for Bay Nature magazine is separate and not tax-deductible. Please call 1- 888-4-BAYNAT (888-422-9628) for subscription details.