There are many ways to support the Zoo, and some are as easy as designating the Zoo as a beneficiary in your will or estate, your IRA or 401K plan or even your insurance policy. You can leave a certain dollar amount or percent, specific property or a portion or even the remainder of your estate to Zoo New England.
There’s no limit to the amount you can leave, and all bequests are free from Federal Estate and Massachusetts Inheritance taxes.
There are also a number of other appealing ways you can gift the Zoo including an outright gift from a donor advised fund, naming Zoo New England as the beneficiary of the remainder of the donor advised fund, or you can make a “life income” gift that will support the Zoo financially, while at the same time, increasing your income.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to consult with your attorney or tax advisor about the plan that will work best for you and your heirs.
Please let us know if you have already included Zoo New England in your estate plans, or if you are considering doing so. We would like to recognize your gift and thank you for being a part of the Zoos’ future!
For more information, or if you decide to name Zoo New England in your will or trust, please notify the Development office at 617-379-5190 or email development@zoonewengland.org.
Confidentiality
You are placed under no obligation for making an inquiry regarding planned giving, and your correspondence will be held in the strictest confidence. Please let us know if we may be of assistance to you or your tax adviser, attorney or stockbroker.
Let us know how you would like to designate your planned gift!
Inclusion of Zoo New England in your estate provisions automatically entitles you to membership in our planned giving recognition group, the Zoo Legacy Society. This newly formed society pays tribute to those friends and supporters who have provided for the future of our Zoos through one of a variety of giving plans or through their estate plans.
If you are considering including Zoo New England in your estate plan, you may use the Planned Gift Information Form, which will help us to ensure that your wishes with respect to your estate gift are fulfilled. This form is used to internally document your gift and will be kept in the strictest confidence. If you have any questions regarding this form, please call the Development Office at 617-379-5190.
To name Zoo New England in your will or trust, we recommend the following language:
While you should always seek the advice of a qualified professional when planning the disposition of your estate, the following language may be useful to you and your attorney as you review ways in which you can best include Zoo New England in your will or revocable trust.
- For a specific amount. "I bequeath to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124), the sum of _______ dollars ($_____) for its general purposes."
- For a percentage of your estate. "I bequeath to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124), ___% of my adjusted gross estate as finally determined for federal estate tax purposes."
- For combining a Percentage and a Specific Bequest. “I leave the greater of (X)% of my estate or $(X) to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124).”
- For a specific piece of property. "I bequeath to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124) my _________ (art collection, etc.)."
- For your residual estate. "I devise and bequeath the remainder of the property owned by me at my death, real and personal and wherever situate, to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124)."
- For a specific purpose. "I bequeath to the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation DBA Zoo New England, One Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121 (Federal Tax ID # 043-129-124), the sum of _______ dollars ($________) to be used for _________________."
Zoo New England can assist you with understanding how to include us in your estate plans. Please let us know how we can help.
