The Norfolk Botanical Garden Evergreen Society recognizes and celebrates an outstanding group of friends who generously support the Garden beyond their lifetimes. One of the greatest contributions that can be made on behalf of Norfolk Botanical Garden’s future is through individuals’ taking advantage of the tax-saving and income-producing incentives available through charitable gifts. Charitable giving as part of your estate planning or investment planning can accomplish the following benefits:
- Underwrite and help perpetuate worthy organizations of your choice.
- Create federal, state and local income tax savings.
- Avoid capital gains taxes.
- Secure life income while gaining substantial tax savings.
- Reduce or eliminate federal estate taxes as well as reduce estate settlement costs.
Joining the Evergreen Society is as simple as informing us of your intention to make a legacy gift. If you have already consulted with a financial advisor and made such a provision in your estate plans, please contact Cathy Fitzgerald in the Development office at 757-441-5830 ext. 319 or email cathy.fitzgerald@nbgs.org so that we may recognize and thank you. Of course your wishes for anonymity are respected. Your contribution is a gift to your children and grandchildren and will help ensure years of natural beauty at Norfolk Botanical Garden.
WAYS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EVERGREEN SOCIETY
Bequests
A gift to Norfolk Botanical Garden through a bequest in your will (the simplest and most common form of planned giving) can be an important part of the Garden’s future financial stability. A donor may include the Garden in his will by designating a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the entire estate. Such a provision may be added to an existing will by codicil. Please consult your attorney or financial advisor.
Donations made through a will can materially reduce estate taxes by reducing the size of the taxable portion of the estate. Additionally, all charitable bequests are deductible in full because the estate tax charitable deduction is unlimited.
Charitable Gift Annuities
Annuities represent a traditional, simple method for receiving tax-reduced life income in exchange for the irrevocable transfer of assets to the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
Gifts of Real Estate
Almost any type of real property such as a personal residence, farm, vacation home, commercial building, or an undeveloped parcel of land can be contributed to the Norfolk Botanical Garden.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust professionally managed for the Norfolk Botanical Garden enables a donor to make an “impact” gift to the Botanical Garden, ensure income for life, reduce the size of the donor’s estate (for reduced estate-tax benefit), and take an income-tax deduction.
Gifts of Closely Held Stock
Principal or primary shareholders in a closely held business can profit from the donation and redemption of appreciated stock, especially if the business has built up significant amounts of cash not needed for current operations.
Gifts of Life Insurance
Gifts of life insurance can benefit the donor and the Botanical Garden in a number of ways.
Gifts of Retirement Funds
For many people, a planned retirement account represents a significant amount of personal wealth. Making a bequest of a percentage of a retirement account or a specific dollar amount from such an account can eliminate both the estate taxes and income taxes that would otherwise be due.
Please contact:
Cathy Fitzgerald
COO & VP of Philanthropy
757-441-5830 ext. 319
cathy.fitzgerald@nbgs.org
Norfolk Botanical Garden is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
