Planned Giving - Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust

A Gift That Lasts Forever…a Guide to Legacy Giving

A Legacy of Land for Future Generations

Feeling the land under your feet, hiking the Niagara Escarpment with the sunset spilling across the lake, fishing a sand county troutstream, or watching birds settle on a quiet pond.

When you include Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust (NEWLT) in your will or estate plans, you leave a legacy for future generations, ensuring lasting enjoyment of the outdoor experiences we cherish.

What is Legacy Giving?

The decision to leave a gift now to benefit future generations is a very personal one, and you have many options for joining NEWLT’s Land Legacy Circle. Very often, legacy gifts are made as bequests – when you name NEWLT as a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan, or other assets. We welcome the opportunity to begin a conversation with you as you explore how you can make a permanent difference in northeast Wisconsin through a gift in your will or estate plans.

Most popular legacy giving options include:

Legacy gifts may also provide capital gains and other significant estate and income tax benefits.

One of our greatest joys is time spent wandering, hiking and basking in the beauty of the many natural areas in NE Wisconsin. That joy soars when we see our children and grandchildren sharing our passion. A legacy gift to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust allows us to help protect what we so deeply cherish and to ensure that future generations can immerse themselves in this natural beauty.

- Todd & Ellen Needham

Land Legacy Circle

We would love to provide others the things we have enjoyed...like walking outdoors, bird watching, skiing, and biking. Offering places like this not only allows for access but it is also protecting these spots.

- Kevin & Kathi Hansen

You become a member of NEWLT’s Land Legacy Circle when you declare your intent to make a gift today, which benefits the Land Trust tomorrow. When you join the circle, you will join a community of like-minded conservationists, and receive special benefits such as unique, members-only events, special communications, and recognition in legacy publications.

BENEFITS OF LAND LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP

You are highly encouraged to disclose bequests or beneficiary designations to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust so that we can better understand your intent, any conditions on your giving, evaluate acceptability, and recognize your gift. You will be recognized as part of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Land Legacy Circle with these benefits:

Special recognition at events.
Acknowledgment (with permission) in newsletters, Annual Reports, and website.
Invitation to exclusive Land Legacy Circle events where you can connect with others who have also included the Land Trust in their estate plans.
Tax benefits: We encourage you to work with your attorney or estate planner to identify the tax benefits that may accrue through a NEWLT legacy gift.

There are no fees or minimum investments required to become a member of the Land Legacy Circle. While we would love to celebrate your lasting gift, your request to remain anonymous will also be honored.

Legacy Gift Options

Bequests

A bequest is a gift to charity at death. It is the simplest type of planned gift to make. You may make bequests of specific assets, dollar amounts, and fixed percentages of an estate, residuary estate, or trust established within an overall estate plan.

Sample bequest language

“I give, devise and bequeath to Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, 14 Tri-Park Way, Suite 1, Appleton, WI 54914 (Tax ID 39-1867891) 1) The sum of $_____.” Or 2) _____% of my estate.” Or 3) ____shares of stock in ____ Company.” Or 4) My real property, parcel # ____, located at _____.”

Retirement Plans

Retirement plans may be gifted to NEWLT when you name NEWLT as a primary or contingent beneficiary of your plan (a specific dollar amount or fixed percentage of the account balance).

Life Insurance Policies

Life insurance policies may also be gifted to NEWLT when you name NEWLT as a primary or contingent beneficiary of the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

Real Property/Real Estate

Property may be gifted to NEWLT when you name NEWLT as beneficiary of remainder interests in a personal residence, farm, or vacation property, or as a conservation or non-conservation land gift. Any such gift will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.

Trusts

NEWLT will accept designation as a beneficiary of all forms of charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts. However, the organization is unable to serve as a trustee of your trust. If you are considering leaving a legacy gift, NEWLT encourages you to consult with your personal legal, tax, and financial advisors prior to making a gift. Donors are responsible for meeting all legal requirements and determining the deductibility of their gift under all applicable charitable giving laws and IRS requirements.

Designate Your Gift

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust has several ways to direct your gift. The Executive Director can provide additional information on these options.

OPERATING FUND

Gifts to the Operating Fund help NEWLT fulfill its mission and carry out immediate priorities. Unrestricted assets from this fund cover costs of the organization’s overall function, management, fundraising and programs.

ENDOWMENT FUND

A gift to the Endowment Fund ensures that your gift will live in perpetuity and provide annual future benefit to the Land Trust. Distributions from these funds contribute to NEWLT’s function, management, fundraising and programs.

LAND STEWARDSHIP FUND

When the Land Trust enters into a conservation agreement or takes ownership of a property, an obligation begins which extends into perpetuity. As stewards of the land, the Land Trust promises to uphold the terms of our conservation agreements and to care for the ecological health of our preserves. Gifts to the Land Stewardship Fund help cover costs of permanently protecting and maintaining land conservation values of NEWLT’s protected lands, and cover the perpetual costs of easement and fee-land stewardship.

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust’s Gift Acceptance Policy governs the acceptance of gifts by NEWLT and provides guidance to prospective donors and their advisors when making gifts to the organization.

To learn more about becoming a Land Legacy Circle member, please contact:

Deborah Nett

Executive Director
(920) 738-7265 or [email protected].

Bill and I love the same places, but for different reasons. Green spaces benefit wildlife, birds, and insects and protect biodiversity for future generations. Preserving areas also slows down climate change and is a gesture of respect for the indigenous peoples that came before us. Since we don’t have children, we are grateful to be able to direct our money to organizations like NEWLT that reflect our values.

- Bill & Barbara Kelly

Thank You!

In whatever manner or amount you choose to give, we are grateful for your gift. Your planning today helps ensure Northeast Wisconsin will have natural places tomorrow. We appreciate you entrusting Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust with such a far-reaching and thoughtful gift.