• wills and bequests - A bequest or gift is made through a will or a living trust. No income tax benefits are available as a bequest is revocable (a will can be changed during the donor's lifetime), but there are estate tax benefits.
• charitable gift annuities - A charitable gift annuity is a simple contract between the Garden and the donor whereby the Garden pays a fixed income for life in exchange for an irrevocable gift of cash or securities.
• charitable remainder trusts - A charitable remainder trust provides life income for the donor and/or specified beneficiaries as well as tax deductions based on the estimated portion (remainder) of the assets that will ultimately go to the Garden.
• charitable lead trusts - Often called the opposite of a charitable remainder trust, a lead trust provides income for a specified period of years and returns the principle to you or your heirs, often with significant tax benefits.
• gifts of retirement assets - The gift of retirement fund assets can often save the heavy taxes (as much as 80 percent) imposed on such assets left to non-spousal heirs.
• gifts of appreciated assets - A gift of stocks, mutual fund shares or property that has appreciated in value has a twofold benefit: the impact of the gift is immediate, and there are income tax benefits as well as the avoidance of capital gains tax.
• gifts of real estate - There are a variety of ways to use real estate as a means to support the Garden, including making a gift of real estate and retaining the right to reside on the property for life.
• gifts of life insurance - Life insurance can provide a way to make a significant gift.

Thank you so much for your interest in supporting the Garden and our mission through a planned gift. Please call or write us so that we can respond to your individual needs. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Find out about our new Campaign for the Chicago Botanic Garden that is launching a new era at the Garden.

Planned Giving Home Page | Planned Giving Site Map | Contact Us | Frequently Asked Questions | Glossary

Please note that individual financial circumstances will vary. As with all tax and estate planning, please consult your attorney or estate specialist. All material is copyrighted and is for viewing purposes only.