Choosing to designate a legacy gift to CCAN is a way to ensure that what you stand for today – protecting the climate and our communities – is carried on, leaving a lasting climate legacy that will have impacts for years to come. Including a bequest gift may seem intimidating, but it can be as easy as adding just one sentence to your will!
Reasons to Consider Legacy Giving:
- You’ll be added to our major giving circle for life, the Climate Protectors. You’ll receive benefits such as invitations to special CCAN events, personal dinners with members of our team, and much more.
- Planned giving may offer tax benefits, including estate, capital gains, and income tax benefits. We suggest contacting your tax advisor for more information.
- Most importantly: You can create a bequest that reflects the values you hold dear by leaving a climate legacy and allowing our nonprofit to thrive for years to come.
Ways to Leave a Gift with a Lasting Impact:
Bequest a Gift to CCAN in Your Will or Trust
This is the most common form of legacy giving, where a donor will choose to leave a specific dollar amount or a percentage of their estate to charitable organizations. And it can be as easy as adding just one sentence to your will!
Below is language from FreeWill.com that you can include in your will to specify different bequests to CCAN:
- Gift of a specific dollar amount for unrestricted use: “I hereby give, devise, and bequeath [amount] and 00/100 dollars to Chesapeake Climate Action Network located at 6930 Carroll Ave, St 620, Takoma Park, MD 20912, Federal Tax ID #11-3644283, for Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s general use and purpose.”
- Gift of a percentage of the donor’s estate: “I hereby give, devise, and bequeath [amount] percent (X%), determined as of the date of my death, to Chesapeake Climate Action Network located at 6930 Carroll Ave, St 620, Takoma Park, MD 20912, Federal Tax ID #11-3644283, for Chesapeake Climate Action Network’s general use and purpose.”
If you’re working with an estate planning professional or attorney, you may provide them with the following information:
Name: Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Address: 6930 Carroll Ave, St 620, Takoma Park, MD 20912
Federal Tax ID: #11-3644283
Already have your will set up? Talk with your attorney or estate planning institution about adding CCAN as a beneficiary – and if you don’t have one yet, this free resource can help you get started today.
Designate CCAN a Beneficiary on Your Accounts
Another simple way to leave a legacy gift is by naming CCAN as a beneficiary on your 401(k), IRA or other qualified plan or account. This will involve obtaining a Designation of Beneficiary Form and completing it as directed.
Some financial advisors suggest leaving the assets from your retirement account to certain charities, rather than to individual heirs because distributions from retirement plans may be subject to income tax.
We suggest that you talk with a financial advisor to confirm if this is the best option for you!
Next Steps:
- Talk with your attorney or financial advisor about what method best fits your situation.
- When you’re ready, use the resources above to help facilitate your legacy gift.
- Let us know of your pledge by emailing fundraising@chesapeakeclimate.org so we can thank you properly and add you to our Climate Protector Program!
We recommend that you speak with an estate planning professional or legal expert about the best way to add CCAN to your existing will or to create a will. CCAN does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice.
