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INFORMATION ON LEAVING A BEQUEST TO THE CENTER

By including the Center for Biological Diversity as a beneficiary in your will or living trust, you can leave a lasting legacy of conservation for generations to come (and possibly receive tax benefits now). Once you've chosen the most appropriate type of bequest for your legacy gift, please supply your attorney or other advisor with the following information:

Center for Biological Diversity, Inc.
PO Box 710, Tucson, AZ 85702
501(c)3 Tax ID: 27-3943866

Click the links below to jump to information on different types of bequests and sample language to include in your bequest.

SPECIFIC
PERCENTAGE
RESIDUAL
CONTINGENCY
SAMPLE LANGUAGE TO INCLUDE IN A BEQUEST

Specific Bequest

A specific bequest names a specific dollar amount or property (such as a vehicle, piece of art or home) to be donated or inherited. This is the most popular form of bequest. Gifts of specific properties may be uniquely appropriate bequests both for tax and other reasons. During the administration of an estate, specific bequests are satisfied first. Thus, if the estate cannot support all of the bequests made in a will, recipients of specific bequests are more likely to inherit than other estate beneficiaries.

Percentage Bequest

A percentage bequest sets a specific percentage, e.g., 15% of the value of an estate. A percentage bequest is beneficial, since it allows the Center for Biological Diversity to participate in any estate growth during your lifetime. This type of planned gift also protects other beneficiaries or heirs should the estate decrease in value.

Residual Bequest

A residual bequest names as a donation any assets remaining after all other specific bequests, taxes and estate expenses have been satisfied.

Contingency Bequest

A contingency bequest identifies a recipient in the event that a prior recipient cannot receive or refuses a bequest.

Sample Language to Include in a Bequest

An Unrestricted Gift

"I give and bequeath to the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, the sum of $___________ for its general purposes."

"I give and bequeath to the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, _________ % of my estate for its general purposes."

" I give and bequeath to the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, the property described herein for its general purposes:"

Bequest for a Specific Purpose

"I give and bequeath to the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, the sum of $______ [or ______% of my estate] to be used for [specific purpose, e.g. litigation to protect endangered species and wildlands]. If, in the opinion of the board of directors of the Center for Biological Diversity, the income or principal cannot be used for the express purpose described herein, the organization may use the principal or income for a different but related purpose that best serves the intent of this bequest."

Although a bequest is a very personal affair, we'd like the opportunity to thank you personally and acknowledge you as a member of the Center's Owls Club. Please let us know of your intention to include the Center for Biological Diversity in your will or trust, or you may ask your attorney to inform us. Please reach Paula Simmonds, Director of Development, by email at owlsclub@biologicaldiversity.org, phone her at (646) 770-7206, or reach us by mail at Center for Biological Diversity, attn: Owls Club, P.O. Box 710, Tucson, AZ 85702.

The information provided here is general in nature. Please contact your professional tax advisor and/or attorney to learn how these options may relate to your individual circumstances. The Center for Biological Diversity is a nonprofit organization with a solid record of fiscal responsibility and conservation achievement for 25 years. All gifts may have tax-deductible benefits and will help promote the conservation of wild places and endangered plants and animals.


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Photo by Bryant Austin, California Fish and Game