North Florida Land Trust’s Planned Giving Program

North Florida Land Trust’s (NFLT) Planned Giving Program is a way for donors to make charitable contributions to NFLT that will be realized in the future. This type of giving allows individuals to leave a lasting impact on our mission and ensure that our work continues for years to come. Whether through a bequest, trust, or other planned gifts, this program allows supporters to integrate philanthropy into their estate planning, aligning their personal financial goals with their commitment to the causes they care about.

What is a Planned Gift?

Planned giving, also known as legacy giving, refers to donations that are arranged in the present but are designated to be fulfilled in the future, typically after the donor’s lifetime. These gifts often include bequests in wills, charitable trusts, beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, life insurance policies, or other financial instruments. They enable donors to make a significant impact without sacrificing their immediate financial needs.

Why Planned Giving Matters

Planned giving allows NFLT to continue its vital work, providing long-term sustainability. By including NFLT in their estate planning, donors help build an enduring legacy that will fund programs and services for future generations. It ensures that our mission is upheld, and resources are available to meet future challenges.

How It Works

  • Bequests: The most common form of planned gift, a bequest allows donors to leave a specific amount of money, property, or assets to NFLT in their will or trust. Donors can specify the use of the gift or leave it unrestricted, providing flexibility for the organization.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): A CRT allows donors to transfer assets into a trust that provides them with income for a specified number of years or for life, with the remainder going to NFLT at the end of the term. This option offers both tax benefits and the satisfaction of knowing that the charity will benefit in the future.
  • Retirement Accounts and Life Insurance: Donors can name NFLT as the beneficiary of their retirement accounts or life insurance policies. This is a simple way to support the charity without needing to update a will.
  • Real Estate and Securities: Donors may also choose to donate appreciated assets such as real estate or stocks. These gifts may provide tax benefits and support the long-term goals of the organization.
  • Gifts of Appreciated Assets: Donors can transfer assets such as stocks, bonds, or real estate that have appreciated in value. This provides the donor with tax advantages, as the charity typically does not have to pay capital gains taxes on the appreciated value.

Benefits of Planned Giving for Donors

  • Tax Savings: Many planned gifts offer significant tax benefits, including deductions for the value of the gift and avoidance of capital gains taxes on appreciated assets.
  • Legacy Creation: Donors can leave a meaningful legacy that reflects their values and priorities, ensuring their contribution endures.
  • Control and Flexibility: Planned gifts can be tailored to a donor’s specific needs, allowing for a balance between current giving and future impact.
  • Satisfaction: Knowing that their gift will support important work long after they are gone can provide a sense of fulfillment and connection to the organization’s mission.

Join Our McQuilkin Society Legacy Circle

Donors who commit to planned giving are recognized as members of NFLT’s McQuilkin Society Legacy Circle, a special group dedicated to shaping the future of our cause. These individuals receive special updates, invitations to exclusive events, and recognition for their foresight in supporting our mission.

How to Get Involved

We invite you to consider joining our Planned Giving program. If you are interested in learning more about how to include NFLT in your estate planning, we offer personalized consultations to help you understand your options. Our team is here to work with you, your financial advisor, and your attorney to ensure your gift is structured in a way that aligns with your financial goals and philanthropic vision.

Contact Us

To learn more about our Planned Giving Program or to discuss potential gift options, please contact Brenda Lynch at
914.456.4074 or blynch@nflt.org. Together, we can make a lasting difference and continue to create positive changes for the future.

Leave a Legacy to North Florida Land Trust

An excellent way for you to support the North Florida Land Trust’s mission is to leave us a bequest in your will, living trust, or with a codicil. There are many ways to include us in your estate plan, and it’s less expensive than you might think. For example, you can amend an existing insurance policy to add the Land Trust as an additional beneficiary. A significant benefit to a bequest gift is that you can leave a lasting legacy. If you are interested in learning more about NFLT and how you can support NFLT through planned giving, please contact Brenda Lynch via e-mail at blynch@nflt.org.

Benefits of Making a Bequest Gift

  • Your gift costs you nothing now. You retain control of your assets during your lifetime.
  • You can change your mind or modify your gift if circumstances change.
  • Your gift can remain anonymous if you choose.
  • Your gift may provide tax savings or help reduce the tax burden for your heirs.
  • You can leave a gift in honor or memory of someone who inspired your love of nature.
  • You will be remembered as someone whose legacy included protecting nature, transforming how we use natural resources, and inspiring action for our planet.

How to Make a Bequest Gift

  • You designate a particular asset or a percentage of your estate to NFLT by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. You can do this while creating your will or trust, or you can amend an existing one with a simple document. The Trust can be either a primary or a contingent beneficiary.
  • If you plan to restrict the use of your bequest (designating it to a specific area or program), contact NFLT while drafting your will or trust to ensure your wishes can be met. The more narrowly you restrict the use, the greater the risk that the program you want to benefit today won’t be as vital or relevant when we receive your gift in the future.
  • Inform NFLT of your commitment; this helps with planning and ensures your wishes can be fulfilled. This is especially important for gifts of real estate, business interest, or other specialized property.
  • NFLT receives the gift after your lifetime and applies it to the purpose(s) you specified. At NFLT, unrestricted charitable gifts are used to support top conservation priorities.
  • Your distribution is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.
  • Other options: The remaining balance in your retirement plan makes a tax-wise gift, but don’t direct it to us through your will or trust—that will include the plan in your taxable estate. Instead, use your plan’s successor beneficiary form. Similarly, you can also name NFLT as primary or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy and possibly minimize taxes.

How to Name NFLT in Your Estate Plan

If you wish to name NFLT in your estate plan, we should be named as:

NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST, a nonprofit organization, organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida, with principal business address of 843 West Monroe Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Our tax identification number is: 59-3609167
Date of incorporation: December 27, 1999

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