Legacy Society

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Parks & Trails New York’s Legacy Society is made up of individuals who have shown their commitment to New York’s parks and trails by making a planned gift to support the work of PTNY for generations to come. Planned gifts enable donors to make a meaningful contribution to Parks & Trails New York in a way that complements their financial goals while ensuring the long-term sustainability of PTNY and its programs.

In addition to knowing that you are helping to create, protect and promote New York’s majestic parks and trails for generations to come, PTNY Legacy Society members are eligible to join PTNY’s Heritage Society which includes the following benefits:

  • Invitations to Heritage Society events and excursions with PTNY’s board members and staff.
  • Updates on the impact of PTNY’s program work and recent accomplishments.
  • Advance notices and invitations to special events, receptions, bike tours and conferences.
  • Special recognition in PTNY communications, including the Annual Report.
  • Regular communications and calls from PTNY staff and board members when they visit your local area.

Legacy Society Benefits

In addition to knowing that you are helping to create, protect and promote New York’s majestic parks and trails for generations to come, PTNY Legacy Society members are eligible to join PTNY’s Heritage Society which includes the following benefits:

  • Invitations to Heritage Society events and excursions with PTNY’s board members and staff.
  • Updates on the impact of PTNY’s program work and recent accomplishments.
  • Advance notices and invitations to special events, receptions, bike tours and conferences.
  • Special recognition in PTNY communications, including the Annual Report.
  • Regular communications and calls from PTNY staff and board members when they visit your local area.

Ways to give

There are many ways to make a planned gift to Parks & Trails New York. Such gifts can provide you with a necessary tax deduction, additional income stream, support for surviving family members and more. Please call us directly at 518-434-1583 to discuss which planned giving vehicle works best for you and your estate needs.

Charitable Bequest

A bequest, which requires listing Parks & Trails New York as a beneficiary in your will, is one of the simplest and most popular ways to make a planned gift. This can be done at any age simply by amending your existing will or by executing a new one. You may bequeath either a dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to PTNY through a Charitable Bequest. Gifts made to PTNY through your will are not subject to federal estate and inheritance taxes in New York. Click here to view Sample Bequest Language.

Parks & Trails New York recommends that donors consult with an attorney to prepare or revise their will.

Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs)

A Charitable Gift Annuity provides income to you during your lifetime, while ensuring support for PTNY in the future. When you establish a CGA, you support PTNY with a gift in the form of cash or property and, in return, you receive a fixed income for life and an immediate income tax deduction. CGAs with PTNY are facilitated through The Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region.

Gifts of Life Insurance

By designating PTNY as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or transferring the policy outright to PTNY, the cash surrender value of the policy is deductible to you as a charitable contribution. If you continue to pay premiums after your gift, these premiums are also deductible.

Donating Retirement Plan Assets

Naming PTNY as one of the beneficiaries of the sole beneficiary of a retirement plan is another easy way to support PTNY. Such income is often taxable to your heirs but can usually be passed without taxation to support Parks & Trails New York.

Additional questions about planned giving?

Contact the Director of Development at ptny@ptny.org or 518-434-1583.