Other Ways To Give
Conservation Lands
Mahoosuc Land Trust has accepted donations conserving thousands of acres through gifts of conservation land and conservation easements. These gifts—of mountaintops, islands, river and lake frontage, waterfalls, farms, and more—have now been conserved permanently, and contribute to the ever-growing landscape of protected lands and waters in the Mahoosuc region. Learn more about Gifts of Conservation Land under Landowner Resources.
Non-Conservation Lands
MLT’s Real Estate Gifts Program is for real estate that typically does not have conservation values. It provides donors with an alternative way to further Mahoosuc Land Trust’s mission to conserve land for the benefit of the natural areas and communities of the Mahoosuc Region. The program provides for the acceptance of gifts of other types of property, such as homes, undeveloped house lots, and commercial properties. With the donor’s permission, these properties are then re-sold at fair market value, and the net proceeds are dedicated to Mahoosuc Land Trust’s other conservation projects in the Mahoosuc Region.
If the property also includes undeveloped land with significant conservation values, Mahoosuc Land Trust can place conservation restrictions when it sells the property to ensure permanent protection of the land.
The donation to Mahoosuc Land Trust allows the donor to liquidate an asset, receive a potential tax deduction, and advance important land conservation efforts in the Mahoosuc Region.
The income tax deduction on gifts of real estate is generally based on the fair market value of the property as determined by an independent appraisal if the donor has held the property for more than one year. Gifts of real estate often exceed the limits of deduction for a single year. You can carry over the excess contribution amount that you are unable to deduct for the initial year of the gift for a specified number of additional years, depending on the type of donation you are making.
We strongly urge those considering gifts of real estate to consult professional legal and tax advisors before making the gift to be sure that you understand the legal and tax implications of these gifts in relation to their circumstances.
To discuss a potential donation, or if you have questions, please do not hesitate to call Mahoosuc Land Trust's Executive Director, Kirk Siegel, at 207-824-3806 or email kirk@mahoosuc.org. If the property appears to be suitable, we can arrange an on-site visit and provide more detailed feedback and guidance for the next steps to take.
Leave a Legacy: Make a Lasting Impact
Planned giving is one of the most impactful ways you can support Mahoosuc Land Trust’s mission. Becoming a member of the Legacy Circle will provide you with the confidence that MLT’s mission will continue for generations to come. Planned gifts are used to sustain the mission of MLT to help ensure the future of conservation in the Mahoosuc Region.
Ways To Make a Planned Gift
Retirement Assets
One of the simplest and most tax-wise ways to include Mahoosuc Land Trust in your estate planning is through your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), 401k, 403b, or other retirement plan. These gifts simplify your planning, and your heirs may benefit from a reduced estate tax burden. Completing a beneficiary designation form requires minimal paperwork and often can be accomplished directly on the retirement plan provider’s website. MLT may be designated as a primary or contingent beneficiary.
Note: Depending on your age may be eligible to make outright gifts during your lifetime to Mahoosuc Land Trust directly from an Individual Retirement Account which may also reduce your Required Minimum Distribution, thus potentially reducing income taxes. Please consult your tax advisor.
Making a Bequest
Bequests–through a will or other estate planning tool–are the most frequent types of planned gifts received by Mahoosuc Land Trust. Bequests can be designated or undesignated, according to your wishes and the priorities of MLT. Your attorney or will preparer may find this Language For Wills helpful.
Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance policies are another simple way to designate Mahoosuc Land Trust as a primary or contingent beneficiary. You may also donate a policy that is paid-up, or one with ongoing premium payments. MLT will not commit to making premium payments on policies from its own funds; however, if you continue to make premium payments on a policy after MLT owns it, those payments may be tax-deductible. Please consult your life insurance provider and tax advisor for more information.
Life-Income Gifts and Trusts
Life-income gifts enable you to make a legacy gift to Mahoosuc Land Trust while providing you or another beneficiary with income for life. Several gift options include charitable gift annuities, deferred charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. A charitable gift annuity provides an immediate gift to MLT while providing a secured income stream for an individual during their lifetime. If you are age-eligible you may be able to establish a charitable gift annuity with assets from your Individual Retirement Account while avoiding income taxes. If you have already established a charitable trust, please consider adding MLT as a beneficiary. MLT does not act as a trustee on trust arrangements. Please consult with your advisor to further explore these options.
Personal Property
Your art collection, valuables, and other cherished personal property that you have acquired over a lifetime may be able to be donated to MLT. When you donate gifts of tangible and intangible personal property you may receive an income tax deduction by removing the asset from your taxable estate or potentially reducing capital gains tax.
Gifts of Real Estate
Learn more about gifts of real estate here
We are here to help!
Although we cannot provide tax or legal advice, we are happy to provide information on options to help you and your advisors integrate your charitable giving into your overall tax, financial, and estate planning. Anyone who makes a bequest or planned gift is considered a member of MLT’s Legacy Circle and can be done anonymously.
Mahoosuc Land Trust's tax identification number is 01-0447619.
For more information on leaving a legacy through planned giving, contact Kirk Siegel at 207-824-3806, or kirk@mahoosuc.org, or Georgia Grzywacz at (207) 381-4882 or georgia@mahoosuc.org.
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, and mutual funds is a quick and easy way to support Mahoosuc Land Trust. You may even be able to save on taxes twice – income tax and capital gains tax – allowing you to make a larger donation than with cash. While gifts of publicly traded stock are the most common, you can also give restricted or closely held stock under the right circumstances.
Please contact Georgia Grzywacz or call 207-381-4882 for more details on how to make a gift of securities.
To allocate a gift to Mahoosuc Land Trust through your Donor Advised Fund (DAF), contact your DAF provider. You can also designate MLT as a beneficiary through a Designated Fund at community foundations. Income and, in certain cases, principal from the fund is distributed to MLT based on your provided instructions when establishing the fund. Our Tax ID # is 01-0447619.
For more information, please reach out to MLT’s Development Coordinator, Georgia Grzywacz at (207) 381-4882 or georgia@mahoosuc.org.
If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can choose to donate a portion of your IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to a qualified charity, like Mahooauc Land Trust. Follow the instructions from the entity that holds your IRA. Our official name is Mahoosuc Land Trust Inc. and our Tax ID # is 01-0447619.
For more information, please reach out to MLT’s Development Coordinator, Georgia Grzywacz at (207) 381-4882 or georgia@mahoosuc.org.
Giving an honorarium gift is a thoughtful way to honor those who have dedicated time, energy, and effort to conservation in the Mahoosuc region. Each gift ensures that we’re able to continue our important and ongoing work in land stewardship, recreation, and education.
Giving a gift in memory of a family member, friend, or loved one is a meaningful way to remember those who have passed and celebrate their legacy in conservation and in life. These gifts support our continued work in conserving and stewarding the lands of this region that are beloved by so many.