Estate Planning

The RWC Legacy Program

We developed this flexible program for people who want to include the Red Wolf Coalition in their estate plans and whose generosity and foresight will benefit the organization for years to come. A bequest with the Red Wolf Coalition as benficiary will support the ongoing development of vital education programs. Additionally, such a gift will enable us to respond to the challenge of fostering wolf-human coexistence wherever red wolves live.

As you contemplate a gift to the Red Wolf Coalition’s legacy program, the Red Wolf Coalition recommends that you consult your attorney and/or your financial advisor. For an overview of the various types of contributions you can make to the Red Wolf Coalition legacy program, please review the information below.

If you decide to include the Red Wolf Coalition in your estate plans, please contact us for a Declaration of Intent form. This is not a legally binding document—it merely serves as a tool to help the Coalition plan for the future. We are aware that the process of estate planning takes time, reflection and care. We are glad to answer any questions you may have.

Types of Gifts the RWC May Accept

The Red Wolf Coalition is honored that families and individuals embrace the Coalition’s mission to advocate for the long-term survival of red wolf populations by teaching about the red wolf and by fostering public involvement in red wolf conservation. Many people provide for the long-term survival of red wolf populations with gifts that can be given during their lifetime or through their will, trust or estate plan.

The Coalition recognizes the importance of assuring that gifts accepted do not place other assets at risk, that they can easily be converted into assets that meet the Coalition’s investment guidelines, and that they comply with IRS regulations and state and federal law.

Donors make many kinds of contributions, large and small. Donors can support the Coalition’s mission with the following types of gifts.

Cash
A cash gift is the simplest and most convenient means of sharing in the work of the Coalition.

Securities
Gifts of securities (stocks, bonds and, with prior board approval, stocks in closely held companies) may also be accepted. The Coalition will value securities at fair market value as determined under IRS rules.

(continued next column)

Real Estate
The Coalition may accept real estate at fair market value as established by at least one qualified appraisal. Before acceptance of real estate as a gift, the Coalition and the donor must agree in writing on arrangement for paying expenses associated with the property prior to sale, such as taxes, environmental evaluations, insurance, and maintenance. The Coalition cannot be legally obligated as to the disposition of the property.

Tangible Personal Property
The Coalition may accept tangible property as a gift. The Coalition and the donor must comply with U.S. Treasury regulations for obtaining and reporting qualified appraisals.

Life Insurance Policies
The Coalition may accept gifts of life insurance policies. Prior to accepting a policy requiring ongoing premium payments, the Coalition shall obtain a written agreement with the donor regarding how such premiums will be paid.

Retirement Plan Assets
Donors may name the Coalition as the designated beneficiary of retirement plan assets.

Life Income Gifts
The Coalition may accept life income gifts, through which one may assign cash, securities, or other assets irrevocably to the Coalition. Those assets are invested to pay a lifetime percentage or fixed amount the donor, the donor’s beneficiaries, or whomever the donor designates. Income is paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. Upon the death of the last surviving beneficiary, the Coalition may use the assets as needed or for a specific purpose which the donor designates. The most widely used life income plans are Charitable Remainder Trusts and the Charitable Remainder Unitrusts.

Income Interest Gifts
The Coalition may accept charitable lead trusts, through which a donor can provide an income to the Coalition for a period of years, at the end of which the principle reverts to the donor or passes to other members of the donor’s family. Significant estate or income tax benefits often result from a charitable lead trust.