Planned and Estate Giving

Set up a lasting legacy of giving to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Making a planned gift in your will, estate, or living trust is an enduring way to make an impact for the incredible species, healthy rivers, and wide-open landscapes found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

With some planning, you may be able to save on taxes, modify your gift if circumstances change, and secure finances for the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for years to come. You’ll be forever remembered as a champion for this remarkable region.

Making a Bequest

A bequest is simple and convenient. There are many options to make sure the Greater Yellowstone Coalition is included in your will, estate, or living trust. Your bequest can include a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your total estate. We request that your bequest goes toward our general use, but you may also restrict its use to a cause that matters most to you. A will, estate, or living trust is an important legal document, so we recommend you seek an attorney’s help when crafting your bequest.

Put it in Writing

Here’s some simple bequest language to use to place in your will, estate, or living trust:

“I give to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation currently located at 215 South Wallace Avenue, Bozeman, MT, 59715, and tax identification number EIN: 81-0414042. I, [NAME], of [CITY, STATE, ZIP] hereby give and bequeath the sum of $_________ or __ percent of my estate to be used by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for its general purposes.”

Already Written Us a Bequest?

Retirement Accounts

Did you know you can name the Greater Yellowstone Coalition as a beneficiary of your retirement funds and the entire designated amount passes to GYC tax-free? And that your gift is fully deductible for estate tax purposes? Alternatively, retirement accounts like IRAs, Keoghs, and 401(k) plans are taxed as income to your heirs and may be subject to estate tax. You may designate:

•    Your entire retirement account;
•    A set dollar amount;
•    A percentage of your total retirement funds;
•    An amount contingent on other conditions being met, such as having a loved one predecease you.

Consult your financial advisor or your employer’s human resource department to get the simple form to designate the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (tax identification number EIN: 81-0414042) as a beneficiary of your retirement account.

Other Types of Planned Gifts

There are a variety of other types of planned gifts that are of great help to us and that can also help you create wealth and leave a lasting charitable legacy. These include Charitable Gift Annuities, Deferred Payment Gift Annuities, Charitable Remainder Trusts, IRA Rollover Gifts, and others. Please contact us or your financial planner to see if these types of gifts are right for you. In the right situation, planned gifts can help you save on your taxes, avoid capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated assets, and plan and save for the future.

Questions? Reach out to Director of Development Melissa Richey at (406) 556-2834 or mrichey@greateryellowstone.org.