Planned Giving Helps Both You and the Colorado Plateau!

Planned gifts are of considerable help to the Grand Canyon Trust’s aim to be a permanent presence on the Colorado Plateau.  The most popular forms of planned giving are will bequests, charitable gift annuities (CGAs), and charitable remainder trusts (CRTs).

Your Will Can Help Grand Canyon Trust's Conservation Goals

Why Have a Will?

A will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign.  Executing a will is neither difficult nor expensive.  Yet the rewards are great indeed, both in peace of mind and in personal satisfaction.  Think about the things a will enables you to do:

• A will lets you direct precisely who will receive all the property you have accumulated over your lifetime.  Without a will, the state decides who receive what—all according to inflexible rule.
• Your will can contain a trust that provides financial security and money management for family members who need special assistance.
• Your will permits you to nominate the persons who will handle your estate or serve as guardians of children.
• Your will enables you to assist friends, worthwhile causes, institutions and others that the law omits.
• A skillfully drafted will can allow your family to minimize death taxes and other costs that may sap your estate of vital assets.
• Your will can be an expression of your personal values.  You may wish to memorialize a special person in you life, aid an impoverished friend, or distribute cherished heirlooms to special people.

How to Get a Will

Obtaining a will is as simple as 1-2-3

1. Call your attorney.  Make an appointment to plan your will.  If you do not have an attorney, ask a friend or a relative to recommend one, or call your local bar association.
2. Prior to the appointment, sit down and write out all the goals you would like to accomplish through your will.
3. Follow your will planning through to completion.  Store your will in a safe place and examine it periodically to assure that it is up to date with your family needs and personal desires.

Planning a Will That is Practical and Deeply Satisfying

We have received many bequests—gifts by will—from thoughtful people who considered it only fitting to provide us something from their estates.  Their bequests were simply a continuation of the support they had provided all their lives.  For these gifts we are profoundly grateful.  And it is satisfying to point out that in a well-planned will, the cost of a bequest to out future can be surprisingly modest.

Your bequest can be of a stated dollar amount, or you can leave us a specific property.  Some of our benefactors prefer to bequeath a certain percentage of the “residue” (the amount that remains after paying all inheritances, debts and costs).  There are special arrangements by which your bequest can provide financial benefits to your family and later be used in our programs.

If You Already Have a Will

Great!  We hope you keep it up to date.  When the time comes to make a change, a simple codicil (amendment) often is all that is needed.  If you are considering a codicil, or a whole new will, may we suggest one more satisfying change: a bequest to assist in our programs.

If you would like specific information, please call Evelyn Sawyers 1-888-GCT-5550, or send and email: esawyers@grandcanyontrust.org

Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity or Charitable Remainder Trust for Your Financial Goals

A CGA is an agreement between you and the Grand Canyon Trust.  You give a donation to the Trust.  In exchange for the dollar value of your gift, you will receive fixed payments of around six percent or more of the gift (the percentage rate depends on your age) and several other important benefits, including a tax deduction and a fixed monthly, quarterly, or annual payment.  A portion of the income you receive is also tax-free.  CGAs are an excellent vehicle if you have appreciated assets or stocks and would like a steady income.  CGAs are especially useful in times of economic downturn.

Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) are another way to give a planned gift.  In addition to receiving generous income and eventually making a charitable gift, you also receive attractive tax benefits.  If you transfer property to a CRT, a trustee can sell without payment of capital gains tax.  After the trustee sells and reinvests, you receive payments quarterly for your lifetime.  Your yearly income is around six percent of trust value.  If the trust grows, your income will grow proportionately.  You may also add assets to a CRT at any time.  CRTs are particularly useful if you wish to transfer real estate.

If you would like specific information, please call Evelyn Sawyers at 1-888-GCT-5550, or send and email: esawyers@grandcanyontrust.org