Please read below about the different ways that you can make a planned gift to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. You can also download our planned giving brochure.
Leave a Lasting Impact: Protect Our Finger Lakes Forever
The Finger Lakes region is a special place. Quiet walks along rugged gorges, clean water, scenic views, and abundant farms are part of what makes it so special. The Finger Lakes Land Trust is working to ensure that these resources we all cherish are protected for generations to come.
You can help the lands and waters of the Finger Lakes remain resilient through planned giving. A planned gift allows you to give your assets to the Land Trust through your will or long-term plans.
By making a planned gift, you will join a community of forward-thinking members who are planning today to secure a lasting future for conservation.
Whether through your will, retirement accounts, or property, your gift will have a meaningful impact and ensure that your values endure.
Bequests: A Gift through Your Will
You can include a gift in your will or trust to help protect the Finger Lakes. Choose a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or what’s left after your loved ones are provided for. This gift costs you nothing now and can be changed if your circumstances change.
To include the Finger Lakes Land Trust in your estate plan, you may use the following sample language. However, we encourage you to consult with your attorney to ensure your bequest aligns with your wishes and estate plans. “I give and bequeath $XXX [% of my estate] to the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Inc., 202 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 or its successors.”
Please let us know your plans through our online form so that we can thank you now:
Share your estate plans with us!
Beneficiary Designations: A Simple Way to Give
Retirement Accounts & Life Insurance
Naming the Finger Lakes Land Trust as a primary or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy is a simple way to support conservation. Retirement assets left to individuals may be subject to income tax, while those given to a nonprofit organization like the Land Trust can be transferred tax-free. To name the Land Trust as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance, simply fill out a Change of Beneficiary form with your provider.
Bank & Investment Accounts
Another easy way to support conservation is by designating the Finger Lakes Land Trust as a beneficiary of your bank or investment account. Many financial institutions allow you to name beneficiaries through a simple form, ensuring your gift goes directly to protecting the lands and waters you love.
You can choose to designate the Land Trust for a specific amount or percentage of your account, while still providing for family and friends. These gifts bypass probate, making the process seamless for your beneficiaries.
If you’re interested in this option, your financial institution can provide the necessary forms.
Our Tax ID (EIN) number is 22-2983688.
Gifts of Property
For many people, property—whether it’s a home, land, or other real estate—is their most important asset. Donating real estate to the Finger Lakes Land Trust is a powerful way to support conservation and may offer tax advantages.
You can give property outright or retain the right to use it during your lifetime through a Retained Life Estate. When included in your will or trust, a gift of real estate may reduce the size of your taxable estate and, in some cases, lower the tax burden for your heirs. Because the Land Trust is a nonprofit, your gift can pass tax-free and be put directly to work for conservation.
Before accepting property, the Land Trust conducts a careful review to ensure that each project aligns with our conservation strategies. This includes reviewing local planning documents, environmental assessments, title verification, financial feasibility, and long-term conservation value. We then work with each donor to determine the best path forward.
Talk to your advisor or attorney about how a gift of real estate can help protect Our Finger Lakes Forever—and leave a meaningful impact.
Other Planned Giving Options
Charitable Remainder Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust lets you make a gift to the Land Trust while receiving income for yourself or loved ones. After your lifetime or the term of the trust ends, the remaining funds benefit conservation.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity allows you to make a gift while receiving fixed payments for life. This option offers a secure income stream while supporting the Land Trust’s conservation efforts.
QCDs: Direct Gifts from Your IRA
If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to the Land Trust. This tax-efficient option allows you to support the conservation work you care about, while reducing your taxable income.
Since the age for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has been raised to 73, you still have the flexibility to start giving earlier through a QCD—making a meaningful impact without paying income tax on the distribution.
QCDs are a simple, powerful way to contribute to the future of the Finger Lakes and are an ideal addition to your planned giving strategy
Get Started
- Consult with your financial advisor or attorney: They can help you explore the best planned giving options that align with your goals.
- Choose your gift type: Whether it’s a bequest in your will, a charitable remainder trust, or naming the Finger Lakes Land Trust as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts, there are many ways to give.
- Notify Us: We are here to help answer questions and ensure your gift is directed in the most effective way possible to protect the Finger Lakes.
Your planned gift can be the key to securing Our Finger Lakes Forever.
Contact Information
- Email: info@fllt.org
- Phone: (607) 275-9487
Documentation
Your gift planning documents might require the following information about the Finger Lakes Land Trust (FLLT).
Legal Name
Finger Lakes Land Trust, Inc.
Federal Tax Identification Number
22-2983688
Mailing address
Finger Lakes Land Trust
202 E. Court Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
The information contained on this page is for general information and education purposes only. Please seek the advice of an attorney for information most relevant to your situation.
