CCHS Legacy Society
Members of this group have specified an official declaration of a financial gift that is planned for the Chautauqua County Humane Society in the form of: Wills and Bequests, Outright Gift, Charitable Trust, Life Estate, Life Insurance, Retirement Funds and/or Gift Annuities. If you are interested in becoming a Legacy Society member please call Kellie Roberts at 716-665-2209 ext 202 or email to kroberts@chqhumane.org.
There are almost as many variations on ways to make a donation as there are needs to be met. Explore this section to discover new ways to make a gift that also takes into consideration your personal circumstances and the needs of your heirs.
It is always important to receive advice from an expert before making major financial decisions. We encourage you consult with your attorney when making estate plans.
Bequests
Bequests are the easiest and most common planned gift.
With a bequest, you can leave all or part of your estate to the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Bequests can be a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. Funds are invested and ensure the future strength of our organization. Restricted bequests can also be made for specific programs or uses. For example, one supporter of the Humane Society recently made a bequest to help spay and neuter animals before they leave our shelter.
Sample wording for an unrestricted bequest:
I give (% of my estate, or $ dollar amount, or specific property) to The Chautauqua County Humane Society located on 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701
Sample wording for a restricted gift:
I give (% of my estate, or $ dollar amount, or specific property) to The Chautauqua County Humane Society located on 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. I direct the Humane Society to use my bequest to fund their spay/neuter program. *
*Please note: spay/neuter is only one of many programs that you might consider when making a restricted gift. Please call us to discuss your options. Your bequest can be used to fund many other worthwhile programs. Come visit us to learn more.
Codicils to a Will
If you do not wish to rewrite your will, you can still remember the Chautauqua County Humane Society by using a Codicil. Please be sure to use our complete name and address:
The Chautauqua County Humane Society, located at 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. Our Federal Tax ID number is 16-6000221.
Beneficiary Designations
Continue supporting our work even after your lifetime by naming us as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance.
Life Insurance
Life insurance can be distributed to a charitable organization such as the Chautauqua County Humane Society, if we are named as a beneficiary of the policy at the time of your death. You will need our full legal name – The Chautauqua County Humane Society – and our Federal Tax ID number: 16-6000221. Contact your insurance company for its change of beneficiary form for the life insurance policy. Simply decide what percentage of the policy's value (1 percent - 100 percent) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the stated percentage, on the beneficiary form. Then return the form to your insurance company.
Retirement Plans
Most retirement plans, including 401(k)s and IRAs, are income tax–deferred, meaning that income tax is not paid until the funds are distributed to you in life, or upon your death. This taxation makes retirement assets among the most costly assets to distribute to loved ones.
Because they are subject to income taxes to your beneficiaries, retirement assets make ideal gifts to tax-exempt charitable organizations such as the Chautauqua County Humane Society. Otherwise, the income taxes on retirement assets you leave to your loved ones can be as high as 35 percent. This means that an IRA worth $100,000 will be worth only $65,000 by the time it reaches your heirs.
On the other hand, the naming of a charity as the beneficiary of retirement assets upon death generates no income taxes. The Chautauqua County Humane Society is tax-exempt and eligible to receive the full amount and bypass any income taxes. This means that in the above example, the Humane Society would receive the full $100,000 benefit.
Contact your plan's administrator to specify The Chautauqua County Humane Society as a beneficiary. Our Federal Tax ID number is 16-6000221.
Income Producing Gift Plans
In the right circumstances, this plan can increase your income, reduce your taxes, unlock appreciated investments, rid you of investment worries and ultimately provide very important support.
Gift vehicles such as Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Lead Trusts and Charitable Gift Annuities can provide you or your heirs with income for life (or a term of years.) These gift vehicles can be complex and should be designed by a professional to meet your needs. For further information please contact
Kellie Roberts at kroberts@chqhumane.org or 716-665-2209 ext 202
Memorial and Honorary Gifts
If you have a family member or friend whose life has been touched by The Chautauqua County Humane Society, we hope you'll consider making a gift to us in honor of that person.
Any charitable gift you arrange can be made in honor of someone. Consider these two basic methods of establishing an honorary gift.
A gift today—An outright gift can help fund our immediate needs or an upcoming project. The financial benefits include an income tax deduction and possible elimination of capital gains tax.
A gift through your will—You can include a bequest in your will, stating that a specific asset, certain dollar amount or—more commonly—a percentage of your estate will pass to us at your death in honor of your loved one.
No matter which basic method you choose, you have the ability to endow your gift so that it lasts forever. Endowments are structured so that a small portion of your gift, rather than the whole amount, is used each year to fund a particular purpose. To perpetuate the fund forever, the majority of the fund always remains intact and is invested for the future.
Depending on the nature of your gift, there are a variety of ways we can recognize your generosity. Please contact
Kellie Roberts at kroberts@chqhumane.org or 716-665-2209 ext 202 to learn more about ways to recognize your honoree.
Gifts of Real Estate
Find out how you can make a gift to The Chautauqua County Humane Society of a remainder interest in your home, receive sizable tax benefits now and continue living in your home for the rest of your life.
Gifts of real estate are often attractive alternatives to traditional gifts. When you make a gift, you can deduct the appraised value of the property from your income tax liability. You can also avoid capital gains liability, remove the property from your estate, and relieve yourself of any future management worries. However, there may be restrictions and you should contact your legal or tax advisor for an explanation of the limitations. By making a Retained Life Tenancy Gift, you can transfer the ownership of your residence or farm to The Chautauqua County Humane Society, but retain the right to use the property for life. Upon your death, the Chautauqua County Humane Society will use the property or proceeds from its sale to further our mission.
Please contact Kellie Roberts at kroberts@chqhumane.org or 716-665-2209 ext 202 with any questions you have about supporting the Chautauqua County Humane Society with real estate.
Gifts of Stock
Stocks, Bonds and Mutual Funds that have appreciated in value are one of the most advantageous ways of supporting homeless animals.
You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the value of the stock.
For example you make a gift to the animals of stock worth $5,000, you purchased the stock for $500; you save $1,350 on your income taxes (if you are in a 27% tax bracket) plus you permanently avoid paying capital gains tax on the $4,500 of appreciation. To obtain the largest tax savings use stock that you have owned for a "long term" period of time (usually for more than one year).
Believe it or not, you may still want to sell securities that have depreciated in value and contribute the proceeds. In this case you may be entitled to take a capital loss on your income tax return, as well as the charitable deduction for your gift.
To get started with your gift of stocks or securities contact Kellie Roberts at kroberts@chqhumane.org or 716-665-2209 ext 202.