It's Never Too Late to Think About Including the
​Littoral Society in Your Plans

Planned Giving 101
Planned Giving is the act of making a commitment to give The American Littoral Society a gift, over time or at death, as part of the donor’s overall financial and estate planning.

Myth #1:   Planned giving is very difficult
Most planned gifts are simple bequests, charitable gift annuities, and stock gifts.

Myth #2:  You have to be wealthy to make a planned gift
By including the American Littoral Society in your will, a gift no matter how big or small will make a difference to us in the future.

Gifts of Stock
Appreciated stock represents the most common type of non-cash gift. Publicly traded stock can be sold instantaneously with a phone call from the owner to the broker and has a readily ascertainable fair market value.

Bequests
Historically the most popular planned giving method, bequests are easy to understand and and do not require the donor to part with assets during life. A bequest is a written statement in a donor's will directing that specific assets, or a percentage of the total estate, will be transferred to the charity at the donor's death. 

Retirement Plans and IRAs
Gifting your retirement plan or IRA requires obtaining a beneficiary designation form from the retirement plan administrator and naming the American Littoral Society as the beneficiary of the policy.  Upon death the Society would receive all or a portion of the proceeds from the policy. The donor is entitled to a charitable income tax deduction equal to the cash surrender value of the property and any future premiums paid only if the charity is named as the owner and beneficiary of the policy.

Planned giving donors should consult with their attorneys before making a planned gift.  

Please contact Laurie Bratone, Director of Development, at laurie@littoralsociety.org or 732-291-0055 to set up your planned gift today.