Leaving a Legacy for Wildlife
Wildlife – our most treasured natural resource – confronts greater challenges than ever before.
As stewards of this “wild legacy,” we, too, are challenged as never before. Challenged to ensure the well-being of all animals that share our world. And challenged to nurture a new generation of stewards for the environment for today, for tomorrow, and for our children’s future.
In keeping with these challenges, and to recognize the generosity and foresight of our supporters who have remembered Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in their Wills and other estate plans, we are pleased to announce the creation of our Wildlife Legacy Society.
The purpose of our Wildlife Legacy Society is to honor those caring supporters who have remembered Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in their estate plans through a Bequest in a Will, a gift of a life insurance policy or retirement account, a donation of appreciated securities, or other planned gifts.
It is through the generosity of our supporters who have made planned gifts in the past that many of our current programs are possible.
Because their thoughtfulness has meant so much to us – and to our furred and feathered patients – we would like to honor them, as well as all future supporters who remember Wildlife Rescue, Inc. through Bequests in their Wills or with other planned gifts, by enrolling them in our Wildlife Legacy Society’s Honor Roll.
Should you wish to receive more information about our Wildlife Legacy Society, please call
Wildlife Rescue, Inc. at 410-357-5179 to receive a free copy of our Planned Giving Brochure entitled “Leaving a Legacy for Wildlife” or print out, complete and mail the
Planned Giving Information Request Form.
And if you have already included Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in your Will or other estate plans, please let us know by dropping us a line or by mailing your completed
Planned Giving Information Request Form to us. We would like to thank you and recognize your thoughtfulness by enrolling you in our Wildlife Legacy Society’s Honor Roll.
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What is a Planned Gift?
A planned gift to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. is a gift made today to secure the future of sick, injured and orphaned animals. It is also a gift that helps to protect the environment and natural habitats for future generations.
Your planned gift can take the form of a Bequest made through your Will. Other planned gifts include donations of securities and other property, designating Wildlife Rescue, Inc. as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy or retirement account, memorial gifts, and contributions made through charitable trusts.
Many planned gifts provide significant income tax deductions to the donor. A planned gift may also enable you to avoid capital gains taxes and reduce or eliminate taxes on your estate while benefiting a worthy cause.
You will find information on the most popular planned gift – Bequests through Wills – as well as other planned gifts on this website.
To learn more, please print out, complete and mail the
Planned Giving Information Request Form to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111. We will be pleased to mail you a free copy of our Planned Giving Brochure entitled “Leaving A Legacy for Wildlife” and answer any questions you may have.
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Why Preparing a Will is so Important
Many people assume that only those with large estates need to prepare a Will. This is simply not true. Everyone over the age of 18 should have a Will.
Without a Will, state law will determine how your assets will be disposed of upon your death, and, if you have minor children, who will be appointed as their guardian. Court costs, legal fees and estate taxes could also consume a significant portion of your assets.
Only by preparing a Will can you ensure that your final wishes will be honored.
Who Should Prepare My Will?
To substantially reduce federal and state estate taxes and ensure that your property will be distributed as you desire, your Will should be prepared by an attorney experienced in estate matters.
This is also important to ensure that your Will has been properly drafted and that all legal requirements affecting your estate have been satisfied.
What if I Already Have a Will?
If you already have a Will and would like to include Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in your estate plans, your attorney can prepare a Codicil for you. A Codicil is a short legal document that amends your present Will.
Your Will should be reviewed and updated periodically. This is especially true if life changes such as a birth, death, marriage or divorce have taken place since your Will was written or you have experienced a significant change in financial status. Your attorney can advise you if changes in the tax law have occurred that would affect your current estate plans.
While many changes may be accomplished through a Codicil to your existing Will, it may be necessary to prepare a new Will. Your attorney can also advise you on this.
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Bequests
By including a Bequest in your Will to Wildlife Rescue, Inc., you can ensure that your concern for animals and the environment will continue beyond your own lifetime.
A Bequest to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. will also allow you to achieve a 100% charitable estate tax deduction.
Bequests are the most popular form of planned gift and can be as simple as including one or two sentences in your Will. Bequests may be made in three ways:
(1) Specific Bequest - Through a Specific Bequest, you can designate a specific dollar amount, a set percentage or specific property to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Examples:
“I give, devise and bequeath to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111, the sum of $________ to be used for its general purposes.”
or
“I give, devise and bequeath to Wildlife Rescue, Inc., lBox
330, Monkton, MD 21111, all (or any percentage) of my estate to be used for its general purposes.”
or
“I give, devise and bequeath to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111, my shares of ABC Company Stock (or other description of property) to be used for its general purposes.”
(2) Residual Bequest - Through a Residual Bequest, once all debts, expenses and Specific Bequests are paid from your estate, the remaining amount would be transferred to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Example:
“I give, devise and bequeath to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111, all (or any percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, including real and personal property, to be used for its general purposes.”
(3) Contingent Bequest - Through a Contingent Bequest, Wildlife Rescue, Inc. would receive all (or a portion) of your estate only under certain circumstances, such as after the death of your spouse or other family member.
Example:
“If any of the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, I hereby give, devise and bequeath his or her share in my estate to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111, for its general purposes.”
It is preferable that Bequests be designated for Wildlife Rescue, Inc.’s “general purposes.” In this way, our nonprofit organization is able to use your gift where the need is the greatest.
For more information, please call Wildlife Rescue, Inc., at
410-357-5179, or print out, complete and mail the
Planned Giving Information Request Form. We will be pleased to mail you a free copy of our Planned Giving Brochure entitled “Leaving A Legacy for Wildlife” and answer any questions you may have.
Please remember the animals with a Bequest to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. in your Will.
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Other Planned Gifts
The following are examples of other planned gifts you may consider, in addition to a Bequest in your Will:
Memorial Gifts
Memorial Gifts made to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. honor cherished loved ones – a family member, friend or favorite pet – and enable us to continue our life-saving work on behalf of animals in need.
Our Rescue has many special needs, ranging from new caging systems and natural habitat areas to aid in the recuperation of injured animals, to major repairs and improvements, all designed to enhance the quality of life of the animals in our care.
Your Memorial may also be made in the form of an unrestricted gift, to be used where the need is the greatest.
If you would like to make a Memorial Gift for one of these special needs, please call
Wildlife Rescue, Inc., at 410-357-5179, or write Wildlife Rescue, Inc.,
Box 330, Monkton, MD 21111.
Gifts of Securities
While many donors choose to transfer stocks and bonds through a Bequest, these gifts do not need to be made under a Will. In fact, they may be made at any time.
If made during your lifetime, an outright gift of appreciated securities will allow you to receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities and avoid tax on the capital gain, helping the animals and you.
Gifts of Retirement Accounts
If you name Wildlife Rescue, Inc. as the beneficiary of all (or a portion) of your individual retirement account (IRA), 401(k), or other qualified pension plan, your gift will bypass the probate process and the proceeds will pass to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. free of federal estate and gift taxes.
Gifts of Life Insurance Policies
Both new and existing life insurance policies may be donated to Wildlife Rescue, Inc. Like retirement accounts, if you name Wildlife Rescue, Inc. as the beneficiary of all (or a portion) of your life insurance policy, the proceeds will not be subject to probate and the gift will pass free of federal estate and gift taxes.
Additionally, if you designate Wildlife Rescue, Inc. as both the owner and beneficiary, you will receive a tax deduction for the present cash value of the policy and/or the future premiums you pay. You may also choose to retain ownership of the policy and name Wildlife Rescue, Inc. as your beneficiary.
A gift of a life insurance policy allows you to very affordably provide a significant future gift to the animals.
Additional Planned Giving Options
In addition to the gifts mentioned in this brochure, there may be additional planned giving options that would be appropriate for your estate planning goals, such as a variety of charitable trusts. Many have significant tax advantages.
Your attorney or financial advisor would be best able to explain those options and guide you through this process.
If you do not have an attorney, a family member or friend may be able to provide you with a referral. You can also contact your local chapter of the Bar Association for a referral.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in Wildlife Rescue, Inc.’s Wildlife Legacy Society. We would be pleased to meet with you and your advisor to discuss these or other planned giving options. To schedule an appointment, please call Wildlife Rescue, Inc., at
410-357-5179, or to obtain more information, please print out, complete and mail the
Planned Giving Information Request Form.
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Donate to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Wildlife Rescue, Inc. depends upon public donations to
continue its work. You can help! Making a donation
through our secure server is fast and easy, and when we
receive your donation, we will send you an
acknowledgement in the mail for tax purposes. Click the
button below to make a donation. Thank you for your
support!
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to Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
You can also mail a
donation to:
Wildlife Rescue, Inc.
Box 330
Monkton, MD 21111
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