Whether it is a one-time gift, or a planned gift, your donation sustains the mission work of Boothbay Region Land Trust and ensures continued benefits for the whole community.

Any donor who includes Boothbay Region Land Trust in their planned giving becomes a member of the BRLT Osprey Legacy Gift Society. Likewise, any donor that donates $25,000 or more to BRLT (through a one-time gift or cumulative giving), a gift of land, or conservation easement, becomes a member of the BRLT Aquahega Society. Both of these specially recognized giving societies receive an invitation to an exclusive appreciation event held annually, and will be considered a lifetime member of Boothbay Region Land Trust.

POSSIBLE TYPES OF GIVING

  • Cash
    • Memorial / Honorary donations
  • Securities
  • Life Insurance, IRAs & Annuities
  • Bequests by Will
  • Charitable Lead Trust
  • Charitable Remainder Trust
  • Land and Other Property
    • Outright Gift
    • Bargain Sale
    • Conservation Easements

GIFTS OF CASH Gifts of cash to Boothbay Region Land Trust are tax deductible for the year in which the gift is made. Gifts of cash can provide immediate funds with which BRLT can pursue its mission, or support long-term endowment.   Click here to find out how to donate online.

Memorial / Honorary Donations Donors have the option of attributing any gift, of any amount, in memory/honor of family or friends. These gifts will be published yearly in our public annual report which is mailed to all members. These gifts include notification of appropriate family members at your request (gift amounts will not be included with family notification). In memoriam gifts may also be directed to the Oak Point Farm Heritage Orchard & Member Memorial Garden. A donation of $500 or more allows for your departed special person to have his or her name engraved in beautiful blue stone in the garden. A stone bench for seating, with stunning views of the historic orchard and waterfront, offers the perfect site for peaceful solitude and reflection for years to come. For more details, see our Oak Point Farm Heritage Orchard & Member Memorial Garden Policy, or contact Development Director Skye Wood.

GIFTS OF SECURITIES Gifts of securities to BRLT are tax-deductible to the extent of the market value of the securities at the time of the gift. BRLT can sell the securities and direct the proceeds to an immediate need, at the donor’s discretion. The donor can achieve a second tax saving as there would be no tax on the capital gain of appreciated securities.

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE, IRAS & ANNUITIES BRLT can be named as beneficiary under life insurance, individual retirement accounts and annuity contracts. Typically, there is no immediate tax deduction upon the naming of a charity under these contracts.

BEQUESTS BY WILL You can set up your Will to leave money or other assets such as stocks, bonds or real estate to Boothbay Region Land Trust. Your gift will be subtracted from the total value of your estate when it is settled. If you have already prepared a Will and wish to add a gift to BRLT, you can easily make a simple amendment, or codicil, to your Will.

The following is a sample provision for a bequest:

“I hereby give to Boothbay Region Land Trust (tax ID #01-0371869) of 60 Samoset Road, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, (add one or more of the following options below)

  • the sum of $_____________
  • (# of shares or $ value) of stock in __________ (name of company)
  • real estate located at ____________ (address of property)
  • ______% of my estate
  • the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for the conservation program of the said Boothbay Region Land Trust.”

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS This is a method of making a gift to BRLT while at the same time transferring assets to your beneficiaries, on a tax-advantaged basis. Assets such as cash or securities are transferred to a trust to last for a predetermined number of years. The trustee invests the assets and distributes the income to BRLT in accordance with the trust instrument. This income provides a tax deductible gift to the donor. Upon termination of the trust, the remainder is returned to the donor or to other beneficiaries designated by the donor.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS Under this arrangement, you create a trust into which assets such as cash or securities are transferred. The trustee invests the assets and provides you with an income for life. Ultimately, the remaining values in the trust will pass to BRLT. In the year the trust is created, you receive an income tax deduction based on the present value of the remainder interest which will ultimately be received by BRLT.

GIFTS OF LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY There are a number of ways to give an interest in land and real estate to the BRLT:

Outright Gift An outright gift of real estate typically gives rise to a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the property donated. The value of the property is removed from the taxable estate for estate tax purposes.

Bargain Sale You may sell your property to BRLT for less than its appraised market value. This type of transfer results in a charitable deduction for income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between fair market value of the property and its bargain sale price. The charitable deduction may offset any taxable gain recognized on the sale of the property.

Conservation Easement A conservation easement can be donated under which the donor retains the land but excludes or limits future development rights. To be considered appropriate for a conservation easement, the property in question must be reviewed by BRLT and meet ecological, biological and/or historical criteria established by BRLT. As holder of the easement, BRLT ensures that the provisions in the easement are enforced. Because of the costs associated with monitoring and enforcing easements in perpetuity, BRLT typically seeks endowment from the easement donor. Granting an easement of this type results in a charitable deduction equal to the appraised value of the easement and an additional tax deduction for the value of the endowment donation.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR GIFT Determining how to make the best use of any of these opportunities requires thoughtful consideration of your own personal circumstances and priorities. While the above information is offered in an attempt to be helpful, you and your tax and legal advisors are responsible for final determination as to the appropriateness of any gift arrangement. Should you desire further information on any of the above ways of giving, please contact BRLT Development Director Skye Wood. She would be happy to work with you and your advisors on a confidential basis to explore the most suitable method for you to achieve your goals.