Legacy Giving

Donors of all ages and means can include a gift to the Montshire in their wills. Bequests of all sizes help ensure the Museum’s future.

Bequests can be included in the body of your will, or in a simple, inexpensive codicil added to your existing will. Bequests can be written to leave a specific amount to the Montshire, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate after all other commitments have been satisfied.

Following is sample language that may be used in a will:
“I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the Montshire Museum of Science Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, with its principal place of business in Norwich, Vermont (1) the sum of $_______ (or property, securities, etc.) or (2)_______% of the residuary of my estate to be used for the benefit of the Montshire Museum of Science Inc., for its general use and purposes as the Board of Trustees may direct.”
If your estate will be subject to estate tax, a significant bequest can reduce the taxable portion or bring the value below the taxable threshold.

An insurance policy can be used to make a significant gift to the Montshire and provide a variety of tax benefits. Transferring ownership of a policy provides an immediate tax deduction, while naming the Montshire as a partial or sole beneficiary may result in an estate tax deduction. Often, adding a beneficiary to a life insurance policy can be a simple and inexpensive way to make a legacy gift.

There are a number of ways to commit your funds or assets to a future philanthropic purpose, while receiving income during your or your spouse’s lifetime. Through gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts, funds are irrevocably transferred to the Montshire or another trustee to be managed for a period of years or until your or your beneficiary’s death. In exchange, you receive income and a variety of tax benefits.

A gift annuity is similar to an annuity that you purchase from an insurance company in that it provides a predictable stream of income in return for your investment. Gift annuities allow you to make a contribution to the Montshire and then receive a fixed annual income from the gift during your life and/or your spouse’s life. The older you are when the annuity is established, the higher the rate offered. Upon the death of the annuitant, the remaining principal becomes available to the Montshire for educational programs and exhibits.

A CRT can be established with cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or other marketable assets. Managed by a trustee of your choice, the CRT enables you to make a contribution to the Montshire while you receive lifetime annual payments based on the trust’s value each year or a fixed percentage of the amount you contribute. You also receive significant tax benefits. When the trust terminates, the remainder comes to the Museum.

Unlike life income gifts, charitable lead trusts provide immediate funding for science education at Montshire. With this type of instrument, you contribute assets to a trust and establish an amount or fixed percentage to be paid to the Montshire for a designated period of time, or for the life of designated individuals. At the end of this period, the trust is terminated and the property is either returned to you or distributed to named beneficiaries without being subject to further estate or gift tax. As a result, charitable lead trusts allow you to leave property to heirs, while reducing gift and estate taxes, and providing income to the Montshire today.