Make a planned gift and join the Sycamore Circle

Land as legacy

The Land Stewardship Fund ensures that every conserved property receives the care and oversight required to protect its ecological integrity, public benefit, and conservation value forever. This fund operates like an endowment, providing a stable and lasting source of support for land management and stewardship activities across CLC’s growing portfolio of protected lands.

By choosing to leave a legacy through making a planned gift to this fund, you ensure that your love for the land lives on. Your connection to this place becomes an enduring story, etched in the landscape you cherish.

You can leave a future gift to CLC in many ways, depending on what works best for you. All gifts support CLC’s mission to bring people together to conserve, appreciate, and enjoy land. A portion of planned gifts may be designated towards CLC’s endowment. The endowment is essential for maintaining the lands we own and manage in perpetuity. 

CLC strongly recommends that you consult with your attorney, accountant, and/or financial advisor. They can help evaluate which options might be appropriate for you and in implementing a planned gift.  

Click the buttons below to notify CLC of your intention to make a planned gift. You can use a Microsoft Form to submit this information electronically, or download and complete a PDF.

The Sycamore Circle

When you make a planned gift, CLC is honored to welcome you to The Sycamore Circle. The sycamore is a special tree. It’s prehistoric: cultures dating back as far as ancient Egypt have recognized it as a symbol of spiritual connection, protection, and healing. Here in Columbia County, this majestic tree grows along riverbanks, providing habitat for mammals, pollinators, and many species of birds.

While it can live for up to 400 years, the sycamore continues to care for the land long after it’s done growing. Its wood feeds beetles and insects. Cavities in the bark provide nesting places for owls and wood ducks. Even the trunk can become a nursery, feeding the next generation of trees as they sprout from the soil.

Just like those who choose to make a planned gift, a sycamore leaves a legacy for generations to come .

Types of Planned Gifts

Bequests

Bequests designate a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to CLC.  

A bequest is the most common type of planned gift. It is made by specifying a dollar amount or percentage of your estate in your will or revocable trust. Bequests are popular because they are flexible. There is no minimum amount, and you can modify a bequest at any time without re-writing your entire will), they allow you to continue to use your assets as you see fit during your lifetime. Bequests are also tax-deductible for federal purposes.  There are several types of bequests available. 

• Specific Bequests – A specific dollar amount or percentage of your estate comes to CLC after your estate expenses are paid.  

I give and devise to Columbia Land Conservancy (Tax ID # 22-2757332), located in Chatham, NY, the sum of [$___________ or name of a specific asset] to be used for its general support [its general support or for the support of a specific program]. 

• Residual Bequests – A specific dollar amount or percentage of your estate comes to CLC after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid. 

I give and devise to Columbia Land Conservancy (Tax ID # 22-2757332), located in Chatham, NY, [all or a specific percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for [its general support or for the support of a specific program]. 

• Contingent Bequests – A specific dollar amount or percentage or your estate comes to CLC if one or more of your specific bequests in your will or personal trust cannot be fulfilled. 

If (insert name of individual) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to Columbia Land Conservancy (Tax ID #22-2757332), located in Chatham, NY, [all or a specific percentage] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal to be used for [its general support or the support of a specific program].

Other types of gifts

Life Insurance – Name CLC as the primary or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy. Naming CLC the beneficiary of your life insurance policy is an easy way to make a significant gift. You can continue to realize tax benefits if your policy has a cash surrender value or you continue to pay the premiums.

Retirement Plan Assets – Name CLC as one of the beneficiaries or the sole beneficiary of your retirement plan. Naming CLC as the beneficiary of a retirement plan such as an IRA or a 401(k) can help reduce your estate’s tax burdens. These types of gifts are also popular because they are relatively easy and typically do not incur attorney fees. CLC is available to assist with language you can use when discussing changing your beneficiary with your attorney. If you choose to name CLC as a beneficiary, please let us know. 

Donor Advised Funds – Name CLC as one of the beneficiaries or the sole beneficiary of your Donor Advised Fund. Naming CLC as the beneficiary of a donor advised fund is a way to make a significant gift during your lifetime or afterwards. These funds incur no capital gains or estate taxes, while your investment appreciates tax-free. 

Land and Real Estate – One way to make a difference is to donate your land and/or real estate to CLC. Depending on the conservation values of the land, CLC may protect it with an easement prior to selling it, or use the proceeds from the sale to further conservation work. If you’re interested in donating this way, please be in touch with Rachel Hoppins to discuss further.

Thank you for considering planned giving with the Columbia Land Conservancy!