Plan your legacy gift
Your investment in John Muir Land Trust means that more land will be protected in perpetuity for all human and non-human residents to enjoy while safeguarding the diversity and fullness of our natural areas, so they continue to sustain all life.
Anyone can make a planned gift. You need not be wealthy or of a certain age to make a difference, and this is a gift that requires no funds be sent today. Planned gifts are extraordinarily important because they:
- Enable you to make a bigger, longer-term impact
- Allow you to see the impact of your commitment now
- Honor your values, shaping the conversation for the next generation.
Download our Leaving A Legacy brochure.
To learn more or to inform us of your Planned Gift to JMLT and join the John Muir Legacy Society contact Krista Vossekuil, CFRE or call her at 925-228-5040.
Bequests
Make a gift to support our future work by including the John Muir Land Trust in your will or living trust which offers an estate tax charitable deduction. These gifts provide a critical base of reliable support for our programs. Learn more
Bequests
Charitable giving through your estate plans can offer both flexibility and estate tax advantages. Please let us know if you have planned a gift for the Land Trust. We look forward to welcoming you to ourexpanding circle of planned giving supporters.Four of the most popular forms of bequests are listed below.
- A fixed amount of money or a designated property (sample language) "I give $_______________________________________(or describe the real or personal property, including exact location.) to John Muir Land Trust, a California nonprofit corporation, currently located at PO Box 31, Martinez CA 94553. Tax identification number 68-0194652."
- A percentage of the estate (sample language) "I give_______________% to John Muir Land Trust, a California nonprofit corporation, currently located at PO Box 31, Martinez CA 94553. Tax identification number 68-0194652."
- A residual bequest (sample language) "I give all the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, to John Muir Land Trust, a California nonprofit corporation, currently located at PO Box 31, Martinez CA 94553. Tax identification number 68-0194652."
- A double-purpose bequest
You can provide a relative or friend with income for life through a special gift to John Muir Land Trust. You can do this by establishing a charitable trust through your will. Upon your death, the trust pays income to the person you designate. After that person's death, whatever remains in the trust passes to John Muir Land Trust. **If you wish to have your bequest applied to a specific program, simply add "...for the benefit of (name of program)" to the language suggested above.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Linus Eukel, Executive Director or by calling our office at 1-925-228-5040.
Stock Gifts
Gifts of appreciated securities - whether outright or to fund a deferred gift - may entitle the donor to a double tax benefit: the donor does not recognize capital gain on the transaction and may take a current income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the asset (up to 30% of adjusted gross income, with a five-year carryover of any unused deduction). Learn more
GIFTS OF STOCK OR FROM YOUR IRA
Gifts of stock are an easy way to make a lasting contribution to JMLT while realizing significant tax benefits. By donating appreciated securities held for at least one year, you can take a tax deduction for the fair market value of your gift and avoid paying capital gains taxes. JMLT sells donated stocks tax-free, using 100% of your gift to support our land conservation efforts. Please follow these instructions for making a tax-deductible gift of stock, bonds or mutual fund shares to John Muir Land Trust. Donors will receive a formal acknowledgment and tax substantiation upon successful completion of a gift.
- Contact Linus Eukel, Executive Director at (925) 228-1130 or email linus@jmlt.org
And provide the following:
- Name of donor, address and telephone number
- Anticipated date of transfer
- Restrictions on the purpose of the gift, if any
- Name of stock and number of shares
- Special instructions, if any
- Write a letter specifying the above information.
Send the letter to:
Linus Eukel
Executive Director
John Muir Land Trust
PO Box 31
Martinez, CA 94553
Delivery instructions:
Wells Fargo Advisors
DTC #0141
FBO John Muir Land Trust 6345 5954
1 North Jefferson Avenue
Saint Louis, MO 63103
For stocks to be delivered in certificate form, mail stock certificate (do not endorse) to:
John Muir Land Trust
PO Box 31
Martinez, CA 94553
Send by separate envelope, completed stock power.
Third party release forms; these forms must be notarized.
The Federal Tax I.D. number for John Muir Land Trust is 68-0194652.
Retirement Plan
Use your tax deferred retirement plan to help the John Muir Land Trust preserve and steward natural areas.
Learn more
Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
Thank you for your interest in making a gift of retirement plan assets to John Muir Land Trust. Since there are a variety of retirement plans with significant restrictions on how and when transfers and distributions may be made, we highly recommend that members and supporters review their situation with a retirement plan administrator, tax professional or financial advisor.
Most retirement plans are made up of assets that are not taxed so long as the assets remain within the particular retirement plan. While there are a variety of different types of retirement plans, typically distributions from a plan become taxable at the time when they are paid out to the beneficiary or beneficiaries.
With the exception of one's surviving spouse, the heirs who receive distributions from a retirement plan could find themselves subject to as many as four different types of taxation; income tax, estate tax, generation skipping transfer tax and possibly excise taxes if the plan has substantial accumulation or makes substantial distributions.
The net result is that the value of the asset can be significantly reduced. However, many retirement plans permit a charity to be named as a beneficiary. Upon the death of the retirement plan participant, the interest passes tax-free to the charity.
Naming John Muir Land Trust as a retirement plan beneficiary is an excellent way to ensure a lasting quality of life for for future generations. Please check with your plan administrator to see if your retirement plan allows this provision.
Your plan administrator may require the following information:
John Muir Land Trust is a California nonprofit corporation, currently located at PO Box 31, Martinez CA 94553. John Muir Land Trust was incorporated in June 1994 and is classified as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code 501(c) 3. The tax identification number 68-0194652.
For more information, contact our office.
Charitable Trusts
Explore ways a life income gift can pay income to you or your chosen beneficiary for a term of years or for life and also provide future support for the John Muir Land Trust. Learn more
Life Income Gifts
Life Income Options: Life income gift vehicles including, charitable remainder trusts can offer you ways to fulfill your financial and philanthropic goals simultaneously.
Charitable Remainder Trust: A charitable remainder trust is an arrangement whereby the donor transfers cash, securities, or real estate to a trust, which provides the donor or anyone chosen by the donor, with an income based on a fixed percentage of the trust's assets. The terms of the trust can be tailored to the specific financial and philanthropic goals of the donor.
If you would like specific information or a gift proposal tailored to your individual needs, please contact our office. Please be assured that all gift correspondence and information is kept confidential.
Life Insurance
Naming the John Muir Land Trust in a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for family support or liquidity may be an excellent vehicle for a gift. Consult your tax advisor to see if this type of planning makes sense for you and your loved ones. Learn more
Gifts of Life Insurance
There are several ways to give life insurance, including naming John Muir Land Trust as beneficiary of a new or existing policy, assigning John Muir Land Trust as owner of no longer needed paid-up or partially paid policy, or taking out a new policy with John Muir Land Trust as owner.
For more information, contact our office.
JMLT is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization recognized by the IRS. All donations are tax deductible in accordance with the law. Tax ID 68-0194652.