Planned Giving

Planned Giving

We are honored to have supporters who consider Turtle Rescue League in their estate planning. Planned giving can make an enormous impact on our ability to protect, treat, care for and release turtles far into the future.

Our policy is below, and please email michael.henry@turtlerescueleague.org

Find sample text for a will here!

Our Planned Giving Policy

Purpose:

The purpose of this Planned Giving Policy is to provide guidance to Turtle Rescue League (TRL) on the acceptance, management, and administration of planned gifts.

Planned Giving Defined:

Planned giving refers to a charitable gift that is arranged in advance and typically realized after the donor’s lifetime.  It is a method of providing support to TRL that does not require a large immediate outlay of cash or assets, but can be structured to maximize tax benefits and income streams for donors during their lifetime.

Types of Planned Gifts Accepted:

TRL will accept the following types of planned gifts:

  • Bequests: A gift of cash, securities, or other property made through a donor’s will or living trust.
  • Life Insurance Policies: Donors may designate TRL as a beneficiary of their life insurance policy.
  • Retirement Funds: Donors may designate TRL as a beneficiary of their retirement funds.
  • Charitable Gift Annuities: A donor makes a gift of cash, securities, or other property to TRL in exchange for a fixed income stream for the donor’s lifetime.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts: A donor transfers cash, securities, or other property to a trust, which pays a fixed or variable income stream to the donor for their lifetime.  Upon the donor’s death, the remaining assets in the trust are transferred to TRL.
  • Charitable Lead Trusts: A donor transfers cash, securities, or other property to a trust, which pays a fixed or variable income stream to TRL for a set number of years.  Upon the expiration of the trust, the remaining assets are transferred back to the donor or their designated beneficiaries.

Gift Acceptance:

All planned gifts must be approved by the TRL Board of Directors.  The Board will consider the following factors when evaluating a potential gift:

  • Consistency with TRL’s mission.
  • Potential financial benefits to TRL.
  • Potential risks and liabilities associated with the gift.
  • Donor’s intent and ability to make the gift.

Administration of Planned Gifts:

All planned gifts will be managed in accordance with TRL’s investment policies and guidelines.  TRL will use the income from planned gifts for the purpose designated by the donor or, if no designation is made, for the general purposes of TRL in accordance with its mission.

Donor Recognition:

TRL will recognize and acknowledge all planned gifts, as appropriate, in its publications and on its website.  Donors may choose to remain anonymous.

Confidentiality:

TRL will maintain the confidentiality of all donor information. TRL does not sell or share donor information.

Legal and Tax Advice:

TRL encourages all donors to seek the advice of their legal and tax advisors when considering a planned gift to TRL.

Conclusion:

This Planned Giving Policy is intended to provide guidance to TRL on their acceptance, management, and administration of planned gifts.  It is subject to periodic review and amendment by the TRL Board of Directors to ensure its continued effectiveness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Sample text for a will

I give, devise, and bequeath to Turtle Rescue League, a nonprofit organization located at 456 Lebanon Hill Road, Southbridge, MA 01550, and having a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code (Employer Identification Number: 46-1019569), the sum of [insert dollar amount or a percentage of the estate] to be used for its general purposes.  It is my intention that this bequest shall qualify for the estate tax charitable deduction under Section 2055(a) and/or 2522(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.  If for any reason Turtle Rescue League no longer qualifies as a tax-exempt organization, or it is not practicable to carry out the purposes of this bequest, I direct that this bequest be distributed to another charitable organization as my executor shall determine to be most consistent with the charitable intent of this bequest.

Have questions? Email michael.henry@turtlerescueleague.org