Sample Bequest Language

A gift to the National Audubon Society in your will or revocable living trust affirms your confidence that Audubon will continue to make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest:

• Is easy to arrange.
• Will not alter your current lifestyle in any way.
• Can be easily modified to address your changing needs.

Residual Bequest Language

A residual bequest can be made to Audubon after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I bequeath to the National Audubon Society, Inc., located at 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014, all or a percentage ______%  of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support and/or for the support of its mission in the state of  ____________ and/or for a specific program ________________________________. Tax ID 13-1624102.

Specific Bequest Language

A specific bequest can be made to Audubon for its ongoing conservation and environmental purposes:

I bequeath to the National Audubon Society, Inc., a not-for-profit environmental conservation organization with its principal offices located at 225 Varick Street, 7th floor, New York, NY 10014, the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support and/or for the support of its mission in the state of ____________  and/or for a specific program: ________________________. Tax ID 13-1624102.

Contingent Bequest Language

A contingent bequest can be made to Audubon.  The bequest would be contingent on the change of status of a previously identified beneficiary.

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I bequeath to the National Audubon Society, Inc., a not-for-profit environmental conservation organization with its principal offices located at 225 Varick Street, 7th floor, New York, NY 10014, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support and/or  for the support of its mission in the state of: ____________, and/or for a specific program: ________________________. Tax ID 13-1624102.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Language

You may name Audubon as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement plans: a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit sharing pension plan. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts. Naming Audubon as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to convey such assets to individual heirs because of substantial income and estate taxes due on the distribution. By naming Audubon, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, and at the donor's death, a portion or all of the remaining principal in the plan passes to support Audubon without estate or income taxes.

Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorney fees. Simply request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator, complete the form, return it to your plan administrator and send a copy to Audubon. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to Audubon.

Real Estate Language

I instruct my executor to sell the property owned by me and located at [address/description of property, lot number, etc.]. The net proceeds from this sale should be donated to the National Audubon Society, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, with its principal offices located at 225 Varick Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014. Tax ID # 13-1624102. These donated proceeds shall be used for Audubon's high-priority bird conservation needs [or, specify purpose of gift].

We get many offers for outright donations of real estate, but we are not able to manage and sustain all of the property offered to us. We are usually able to only consider those that are adjacent to an existing Audubon Sanctuary, Center, or other high-priority project. Please contact us at plannedgifts@audubon.org if you think this is the case.

If you wish to sell the property during your lifetime, placing it in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust would be a way for you to receive income with the remainder coming to Audubon later. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this possibility.

Customized Language

If you or your attorney would like Audubon to provide you with customized beneficiary language that is specific to your goal and interest, please  contact us.

Please contact us so that we can assist you through every step of the process.

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