Gifts of Stock
The stock market is dominating the news these days. If you own stock
that you have held long-term and find yourself with a lower than average
yield, now may be a particularly tax-wise time to make a gift of this
stock. And as with any gift, contributions of securities help Bernheim
develop stronger programs and activities, trails, and exhibits to make
the natural world a part of your everyday life.
So consider a contribution of appreciated stock. Consider the following
tax benefits you can receive:
Income Tax Savings: If you have owned appreciated securities for longer
than 12 months, donating them to Bernheim qualifies you for a charitable
income tax deduction of the fair market value of the donation. Currently,
you can use this deduction if you itemize your tax return.
Such gifts may be deducted up to 30% of your adjusted gross income in
the year you make the contribution. If the entire deduction cannot be
used in the first year, you may carry over any excess for up to five
years.
Capital Gains Tax Savings: In addition to a charitable income tax deduction,
neither you nor Bernheim is liable for capital gain tax on the subsequent
sale of the securities by Bernheim. The full value of your gift is available
to Bernheim.
Calculating Fair Market Value for Tax Deduction:
The amount of your contribution is the fair market value of the contributed
securities on the date of the gift. Assuming you’ve owned the
securities for more than twelve months, fair market value is calculated
as follows:
Publicly traded stocks and bonds: Fair market value is the mean of the
high and low quoted prices of the securities on the day of the gift.
(Daily High + Low price divided by 2 = Mean price; Mean price x number
of shares = Fair Market Value)
Mutual Funds: Fair market value is the fund’s public redemption
price, or net asset value, on the date of the gift. (Net asset value
x number of shares = Fair Market Value)
Your broker or banker will usually supply this information in connection
with your gift. Bernheim will also provide you with a separate valuation
and acknowledgement letter.
Bernheim’s General Fund
You can make a financial donation to Bernheim’s General Fund at
any time during the year. A gift to the general fund is allocated for
Bernheim’s annual operational needs, and is not related to membership.
The general fund is an excellent choice for your end-of-year charitable
giving needs, and of course your gift is always tax-deductible to the
fullest extent that the law allows. To make an end-of-year contribution
or gift to Bernheim’s general fund, mail or fax our printable
.pdf form or call (502) 955-8512 x249.
Giving through Wills,Trusts & Estate
Plans
A gift to Bernheim through your will, living trust, or other estate
plan helps ensure that we can continue making nature a part of the everyday
lives of hundreds of thousands of visitors, far into the future.
Types of Estate Gifts
There are several types of bequests, each with its own benefits to help
you achieve your financial and charitable goals. In a specific bequest,
you name Bernheim to receive a specific amount of money, property, or
percentage of your estate. In a residuary bequest, Bernheim receives
all or a portion of the residual of your estate (the remainder after
all specific bequests to family and friends are fulfilled). In a contingent
bequest, Bernheim is declared to be the contingent beneficiary in case
your named individual beneficiaries do not survive you.
How to Name Bernheim in Your Estate Plans
For gifts from your estate that will take effect after your lifetime,
Bernheim should be named as:
I.W. Bernheim Foundation, Highway 245,
Clermont, Kentucky 40110.
For your reference, our tax identification number is 61-0444-651.
If you wish to direct that your bequest be used for a particular purpose,
please contact Susan Ritter, Interim Director of Marketing and Development,
at (502) 955-8512 for appropriate wording to ensure your wishes are understood.
Legal Counsel
Because of the complexity of estate planning, it is important that your
attorney structures your estate and writes your will or trust so your
wishes are clearly articulated. Please seek the counsel of a qualified
attorney to assist you with this important task.
Matching Gifts
Many companies will match gifts you give to Bernheim with donations
of their own. Check with your personnel office to see if your company
has a matching gifts program, and if Bernheim qualifies. If so, simply
get a copy of your company’s matching gift application form, fill
it out, and send it to us. We’ll take care of the rest!
A matching gift from your company leverages your contribution, often
doubling or tripling it! It’s an easy way for you to further support
Bernheim’s mission.
Memorial and Honorary Gifts
A Lasting Legacy
Memorial and honorary gifts provide
Bernheim with resources such as hands-on learning tools, exhibits for
mobile labs, and trees, shrubs and benches that enhance the arboretum.
Your gift will strengthen and improve facilities and programs while honoring
or memorializing a loved one or colleague.
Why should I Give a Memorial
or Honorary Gift?
Memorial and honorary gifts provide meaningful, living,
long-term tributes to friends, relatives, or colleagues. Your gift also
helps Bernheim continue its work to connect people and nature.
Memorial
Benches
A memorial bench may be purchased for $1,500. All benches are provided
by Bernheim, and we will share placement options with you upon request.
A plaque may be attached to the bench with up to 6 lines of text, approximately
40 words.
Bernheim uses benches made from long-lasting teak wood, and your memorial
will last for the lifetime of the bench.
Memorial Trees
A memorial tree may be purchased for $900 and chosen from a selection
of existing trees. You will receive a map showing the exact location
of your tree in the arboretum. Directions to memorial trees are maintained
at the Visitor Center information desk.
Your memorial will last for the lifetime of the tree.
Other Memorial Gifts
All other contributions are allocated to your choice of Bernheim’s
Green Fund, Tree Acquisition Fund, Library Acquisition Fund or Education
Fund. Gifts to these funds are used to help Bernheim restore
habitats, develop new program services, reach new audiences or fund
the kinds of sustainability strategies that have established Bernheim
as a model for public and private efforts to live in agreement with
nature. Multiple gifts from a group of individuals may be pooled upon
request for a specific fund.
Acknowledgement
When you make a memorial or honorary gift to Bernheim, the person or
family you designate is sent a card acknowledging your gift made in their
name. The amount of your gift is shown only on the receipt mailed back
to you.
All gifts are acknowledged with a listing in Bernheim’s next
newsletter, a listing in the next annual report and by entry into a
permanent book of memorial gifts maintained in the library.
Special Wishes
Acquisitions of sculpture or art, permanent additions such as
buildings, exhibits, or education rooms, scholarships to school or other
programs and other opportunities are available for memorials as well.
For more information
To make a memorial or honorary gift to Bernheim, simply send your
gift with an explanation of whom it is for and any person or family we
should acknowledge. To learn more about memorial or honorary gifts at
Bernheim, or to discuss a specific wish, call, write, or send
an email.
Mailing address:
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Memorial and Honorary Gifts
P.O. Box 130
Clermont, KY 40110
Phone: (502) 955-8512
Wish List
Bernheim is hoping
with your help to upgrade some of our office equipment and make additional
improvements possible. If you would like to donate any of the following
items, either in new or gently used condition, please send
us an email or call (502) 955-8512.
• Bobcat/Uni-loader
• Electric Golf Cart
• Projection Screen
• Solar Powered Outdoor Lights
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