Give The Gift Of Clean Water

A Legacy To Your Loved Ones

One of the most important things that each of us can do is to care for our loved ones, while we are alive, and after we are gone. Leaving the legacy of clean water to our children and grandchildren is an inheritance more valuable than gold. A contribution to the long-term financial stability of the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is an investment in the environment of northern Michigan.

You can ensure that your loved ones enjoy the natural beauty and purity of our region's waterways by thinking of the Watershed Council as your plan for your financial future, and the financial future of those you love. The following charitable giving ideas not only benefit the Watershed Council's water quality protection programs, but they may improve your own current and future financial situation as well.

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council Planned Giving Opportunities

Endowment Fund
The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council's Endowment Fund was created in 1990. Since the Fund's creation, assets have grown to over $1.2 million. Charitable gifts received can be placed in the Endowment Fund or designated for any of the Watershed Council's program areas. If placed in the Endowment fund, only the Earnings from the investments are used by the Watershed Council for operations; the principal remains in the Fund as financial protection for the future.

Bequests
A bequest to the Watershed Council can take the form of cash, securities, real estate, or other assets. Any size bequest is greatly appreciated by the Watershed Council and helps further our work. The Watershed Council has sample language for inclusion in your will to make the gift simple for you. A bequest reduces the size of your taxable estate. Therefore, the cost of your bequest may be offset by a reduction in state and federal death taxes.

Gifts in Kind
Many types of assets other than cash can be donated to the Watershed Council, including:

• appreciated securities
• real estate
• tangible personal property such as art work, jewelry and the like
• life insurance

Gifts of the above, during your lifetime, qualify you for immediate income tax deductions, and also reduce the size of your estate thus avoiding estate taxes. Gifts In Kind are converted to cash by the Watershed Council to further our water quality protection programming.

Charitable Gift Annuities
It is possible to give a gift to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council with a simple contractual agreement that will allow you to support water resource protection programs and receive guaranteed lifetime payments for yourself or your designated beneficiary or beneficiaries. Gift annuities can be in the form of income, securities, or real estate, which provide potential tax advantages such as:

• An immediate charitable income tax deduction
• Payments that are partially tax-free or taxed at lower rates
• Reduction in estate taxes
• Reduction in capital gains taxes for appreciated securities that are gifted

Charitable Lead Trusts Charitable Lead Trusts pay an income to the Watershed Council for a specified period of time, after which the principal reverts to the donor or some other designated person(s). Through these trusts, your family may receive a tax-free inheritance while the Watershed Council enjoys years of steady support.

Gift of home, Vacation home or Farm While Retaining Use for Life Donors can enjoy the immediate tax benefits of giving a home, vacation home, farm, or other real estate to the Watershed Council, while retaining use of the properties for life. The Watershed Council will sell the home or farm after the life estate has been terminated and use the funds for our water quality programs.

Find Out More
There are other charitable giving mechanisms available to donors so please contact us to find out other ways you can give the legacy of clean water. The Watershed Council recommends that you review all charitable gift plans with your personal advisors to ensure that your financial goals are being met. Each of the gift methods described above offer substantial tax advantages to most donors. As part of the planning process a Watershed Council staff member will be pleased to meet with you as well.

Memorial and Honorarium Gifts Mail Form

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