Gifts in a will or by beneficiary designation are two easy ways to ensure a future where everyone has safe spaces to walk, bike and be active outdoors for years to come — and they don’t cost anything now.
You can learn more about these special opportunities in our free brochure, Simple Ways to Create Your Legacy, and other complimentary planning resources. These resources are just a click away!
Gifts in a Will
Making a legacy gift in your will or trust is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make a lasting impact for Rails to Trails Conservancy. Once you have provided for your loved ones, we hope you will consider making connected multiuse trails part of your life story through a legacy gift.
A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy and offers the following benefits:
- Lasting Impact: Your gift will create your legacy of connecting the nation by trail.
- Flexible: You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason.
- No Cost: It costs you nothing now to give in this way.
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Four simple, “no-cost-now” ways to give in your will
General gift
A general bequest is a gift of a specific amount.
Residuary gift
Specific gift
Contingent gift
You can mix these no-cost ways together. For example, you might consider leaving a specific percentage (such as 50%) of the residual to RTC contingent upon the survival of your spouse.
Gifts by Beneficiary Designation
It’s easy to put your bank accounts, retirement funds, savings bonds, and more to use in delivering the joy of trails—and it costs you nothing now. By naming RTC as a beneficiary of these assets, you can power our mission for years to come and establish your personal legacy of creating healthy, thriving communities.
Potential benefits of gifts by beneficiary designation:
- Reduce or eliminate taxes
- Reduce or avoid probate fees
- No cost to you now to give
- Create your legacy with RTC
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Types of Gifts
Retirement plan assets
You can simply name RTC as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to help build a nation connected by trails.
Life insurance policies
You can name RTC as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, RTC will receive the proceeds of your policy after your lifetime. You can change your beneficiary at any time and may reduce your estate taxes.
Bank or brokerage accounts
This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name RTC (Tax ID: 52-1437006) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings bank account, a certificate of deposit (CD), or a brokerage account. When you do, you’ll take a powerful step toward ensuring safe trails for generations to come.
Funds remaining in your donor-advised fund
What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. When you name RTC as a “successor” of your account or a portion of your account value, you help protect our nations trails and corridors.
How to update a beneficiary designation:
Simply contact your bank, retirement plan administrator, insurance company or other financial institution to request a beneficiary designation form. You may also be able to log in to your account and update your beneficiaries online.
Please use our legal name: Rails to Trails Conservancy
Include our tax identification number: 52-1437006
Please let us know so we can ensure that your wishes are carried out.
See Your Impact
Rails to Trails Conservancy’s TrailNationTM initiative brings to life our vision of trails at the heart of healthy, thriving communities by showcasing the impact of trail networks and redefining how we create them–so we can more quickly connect trails across the country.
OH Ohio Erie Canal Towpath | Photo by Renee Rosensteel
Our Team is Here to Help
Our experienced team is here to help you…
- Learn about special projects that align with your interests.
- Structure a donation that maximizes benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Stay up to date on how your gift is used.
- And more!