Support the Arboretum through Legacy Giving

Imagine a world where future generations can walk through lush gardens, learn about diverse plant species, and experience the tranquility of nature, all thanks to your generosity. By including Reeves-Reed Arboretum in your planned giving, you ensure that our mission to conserve and educate continues to thrive. Your thoughtful contribution will support vital conservation projects, enhance educational programs, and improve our facilities, creating a lasting impact. Plus, planned giving offers significant tax benefits, making it a wise financial decision. Join us in nurturing nature’s beauty and leave a legacy that will grow for years to come.

What are the benefits of making a bequest?

1. You leave a lasting legacy to be remembered
2. You lessen the burden of taxes on your family
3. You may receive estate tax savings
   
   

How do I make a bequest?

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to Reeves-Reed Arboretum as part of your estate plan.

What are my options?

A bequest can be made in several ways:

1. You can gift a specific dollar amount or asset
2. You can gift a percentage of your estate
3. You can gift from the balance or residue of your estate
4. You can make a beneficiary designation of certain assets

Types of Bequests

There are several ways you can make a bequest to Reeves-Reed Arboretum.

1. Specific Bequest. A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount.
2. Percentage Bequest. Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity.
3. Residual Bequest. A residual bequest is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity.
4. Contingent Bequest. A contingent bequest is made to charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met.
   
   

Bequest Benefits

A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.

Bequest Language

In order to make a bequest, you should speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in your estate plan. We have provided some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.

1. Specific Bequest

If you are considering making an outright bequest to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, we recommend the following language:

2. Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, for Reeves-Reed Arboretum ‘s general use and purpose.

3. Bequest of Specific Personal Property

I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, for Reeves-Reed Arboretum ‘s general use and purpose.

4. Bequest of Specific Real Estate

I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, for Reeves-Reed Arboretum ‘s general use and purpose.

5. Percentage Bequest

If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, we recommend the following language:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, for Reeves-Reed Arboretum ‘s general use and purpose.

6. Residual Bequest

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s general use and purpose.

7. Contingent Bequest

If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a nonprofit organization located at 156 Hobart Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, Federal Tax ID #23-7335987, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Reeves-Reed Arboretum ‘s general use and purpose.

8. Restricted Bequests

If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.

If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Reeves-Reed Arboretum flexibility should it no longer be possible for Reeves-Reed Arboretum to use your gift as you originally intended:

If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Reeves-Reed Arboretum, it shall become impossible for Reeves-Reed Arboretum to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Reeves-Reed Arboretum may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.

For more information or to discuss legacy giving, please email Kim Cerf at k.cerf@reeves-reedarboretum.org.