Planned Giving

Greenbelt’s Legacy giving options, along with advice from your trusted professional advisors, can help you determine the type of gift that specifically meets your personal, financial and philanthropic goals.

The Greenbelt Legacy Society recognizes those thoughtful individuals who have made provision for Greenbelt through a charitable bequest (John W. Peirce Bequest Circle donors), or who have established other planned and life-income gifts to Greenbelt. Legacy Society donors are special members of our conservation community. Their demonstration of innovative philanthropy is acknowledged in our Annual Report each year.

We are pleased to report that a portion of Greenbelt's bequest funds — entrusted to Greenbelt with the purpose of conserving land in Essex County - were put into action to help acquire and permanently protect these three important properties:

A Charitable Bequest is a gift from your estate, through a living will or trust, funded by almost any asset or resource. One of the easiest ways to establish a Charitable Bequest is through the beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan.

A Charitable Gift Annuity or a Charitable Remainder Trust make it possible to receive income for the rest of your life. If you are downsizing from a highly appreciated home or property, a Charitable Remainder Trust can provide tax advantages while ensuring future income.

Learn About Charitable Bequests     Learn About Legacy Giving

Donors may receive a charitable income tax deduction for gifts of stock, subject to AGI limitations, while avoiding capital gains that may otherwise trigger future tax liabilities. To gift stock assets to Greenbelt, reference the transfer instructions or call Joanne Flannery at 978-768-7241, ext. 124 with questions.

Individuals over 72 can satisfy their required minimum distribution (RMD) (from their IRA) by donating up to $100,000 from their IRA provided that the gift goes directly to a charity (not to a donor advised fund or private donation). A donation made this way does not count as taxable income.

Through our GreenTrade program, you can gift all or a portion of a “non- conservation” real estate asset to Greenbelt, such as a home, vacation cabin, commercial building or remote lot. Greenbelt will then sell the property and use the proceeds to support our land conservation work.

If you own land, you may be able to permanently conserve it through a gift of land to Greenbelt, or through a conservation restriction.

Learn About GreenTrade