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Why do people like making planned gifts?

Planned gifts (most commonly a donation made in your will or trust) cost nothing today and allow you to make an incredible impact, which is why so many people choose to make them.

There are some other exciting but less common gifts — scroll down to learn more!

Popular gifts for the future

See what types of gifts many people choose to make. Many people make these to honor a loved one, to show what’s important in their life.

Popular

Gifts in a will or trust

Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will or trust – for free!

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Beneficiary designations

Gifting assets not covered by your will — like 401(k) or IRA accounts — may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you’re below the estate tax threshold.

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Popular gifts for today

Many people love these donation options because they fit with their personal circumstances and financial goals.

Stocks and securities

Many people love donating stock or mutual funds because it may help them avoid paying capital gains taxes.

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Donor Advised Funds

Easily recommend grants to North Carolina Wildlife Federation for tax-efficient giving.

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Qualified Charitable Distributions

Use your IRA to make tax-free gifts that benefit you and our mission.

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Please let us know if you’ve already included us in your estate plans!

Letting us know is incredibly helpful to our team and helps to make sure your gift is used the way you want it to be.

Leave a Wildlife Legacy

A gift to NCWF in your will, trust, or retirement plans proclaims your confidence that we will continue to serve our mission and make a difference for North Carolina’s wildlife, wild places and future generations. No matter the size of your investment, you ensure a lasting impact for wildlife and habitat for years to come.

Credit: Austin Balinski

John Fuller, former board member of the N.C. Wildlife Federation, has been backpacking and fishing in the North Carolina mountains since he was a boy. “My family and I enjoy spending time in the outdoors and I am proud to be able to take my sons to some of the most beautiful mountains in the country. I want the natural habitats of North Carolina preserved for future generations.” John knows that NCWF is constantly pursuing ways to keep the environment healthy. He included NCWF in his will. “I want to make sure that my sons, and their children, can experience the same North Carolina that I know and love.”

John Fuller
Former NCWF Board Member and Chair of North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Wild Lives, Wild Places Legacy Society

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.

Yes! Knowing in advance about your intentions is quite helpful to our staff, but you are always welcome to not share your gift.

We’ve partnered with FreeWill to help you make a will or trust at no cost to you. You can use this to complete your plans, or you may choose to use the same tools to get your affairs in order before visiting an attorney (who is likely to have a fee associated with finalizing your plans).

Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.

Yes! FreeWill will never share your personal information without your permission.

1. Make a gift to NCWF in your will or trust. Find out how easy it is to put wildlife in your plans. Use our free will writing tool to get started.

2. Make NCWF a beneficiary of your retirement plan. You can consider full, partial or percentage options to benefit wildlife.

3. Consider a gift of life insurance that your family has “outgrown” or make NCWF a partial or full beneficiary of your plan.

4. Build your gift by using real estate and personal property. A gift to NCWF in your will, trust, or retirement plans proclaims your confidence that we will continue to serve our mission and make a difference for North Carolina’s wildlife, wild places and future generations.

Naming NCWF as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy: Example 1 – Specific Bequest: “I give and devise to North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Tax ID # 56-1564376, located in Raleigh, NC, or to its legal successor organization, the sum of $________ to be used for its general support.” Example 2 – Residual Bequest (A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid): “I give and devise to North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Tax ID # 56-1564376, located in Raleigh, NC, or to its legal successor organization, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support.” Example 3 – Contingent Bequest (NCWF can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled): “If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to North Carolina Wildlife Federation, (Tax ID # 56-1564376), located in Raleigh, NC, or to its legal successor organization, the sum of $ _ (or all, or __% of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support.”

Yes! You may name NCWF as a beneficiary of your IRA, or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts. Naming NCWF as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of heavy tax consequences. By naming NCWF as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor’s death the plan passes to support NCWF free of both estate and 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. You can designate all, or a particular amount, or a percentage to: “North Carolina Wildlife Federation, (Tax ID # 56-1564376), located in Raleigh, NC, or to its legal successor organization.” When you are done, return the form to your plan administrator and notify the North Carolina Wildlife Federation.

-Welcome packet from NCWF VP of Philanthropy, Kate Greiner

– Invitations to phone briefings and webinars with NCWF leadership and staff

– Subscription to The North Carolina Wildlife Federation Journal, NCWF’s quarterly magazine

– Opportunities to meet with NCWF staff

To schedule an appointment or get answers to your questions, contact Kate Greiner, VP of Philanthropy, at [email protected] or 704-332-5696.

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We’re here to help you meet your goals!

Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: Kate Greiner

Title : Vice President of Philanthropy

Phone: 704-332-5696

Email: [email protected]

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