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Ways of Giving
Ways you can support the work of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust
- Individual Memberships
- Business Memberships
- Donate a Conservation Easement
- Gifts of Stocks
- Bequests
- Gifts of Land or Other Real Estate
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Charitable Lead Trusts
- Retirement Assets
- Life Insurance
- Life Estates
Give a Gift That Lasts Forever
A Planned Gift Helps Preserve the Lowcountry for All Time
If you love the Lowcountry and would like to see its natural and historic landscape preserved, consider a planned gift to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust. There are many ways you can make a gift that makes a difference. Donating a conservation easement, making an outright gift of real estate or cash, making a bequest, or naming the Lowcountry Open Trust as a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance or charitable trust, are just a few of the options. Our knowledgeable staff will be glad to work with you and your financial advisors to create a tax smart way of giving. Please contact Trish Carothers, our Membership Coordinator at 843-577-6510 if you would like more information on making a planned gift to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust.
Please see the short descriptions of some of your Planned Giving Options below. LOLT recommends that you consult with your tax advisor when making a planned gift.
Stock: Giving appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds, allows you to deduct the fair market value of those securities owned for more than one year. You can give the securities and usually avoid taxes on any capital gains, while also potentially receiving up to a 30% tax deduction on your adjusted gross income. Call 843-577-6510 for information on how to transfer stock to LOLT.
Bequests: Put simply, remember the Lowcountry Open Land Trust in your will! After you have taken care of your loved ones in your estate plan, please consider leaving a portion of your estate or your residual estate to LOLT. Bequests to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust are generally free from federal estate tax and you normally do not have to re-write your entire estate plan to include a provision for a gift. This can often be done simply and inexpensively by your attorney.
Gifts of Land or Other Real Estate:Real estate gifts can be varied in nature – not just property that is important for its conservation value. Generally the long-term capital gains tax can be avoided. Acceptance of gifts of real estate is subject to approval by the LOLT Board of Directors.
Charitable Remainder Trusts and Gift Annuities: Do you want to leave a legacy gift to LOLT while receiving income from those assets during your or a loved one’s lifetime? If so, a charitable remainder trust or a charitable gift annuity may be appropriate for you.
Charitable Lead Trusts: Donors may fund lead trusts with a combination of cash, stocks, bonds, or real estate. LOLT receives income for the term of the lead trust and then the assets are passed to your heirs.
Retirement Assets: Naming LOLT as the beneficiary of the remainder of assets in your IRA, 401K, or other retirement plan after your lifetime may help avoid income and estate taxes.
Life Insurance: If you have a paid-up life insurance policy that you no longer need, you may be able to receive income tax deductions by transferring ownership of the policy to LOLT and making it the beneficiary. If LOLT is designated as beneficiary of your policy, but not the owner of the policy, the gift is revocable and does not qualify for an income tax deduction, but may qualify for an estate tax charitable deduction.
Life Estates: Donors can receive a sizable charitable income tax deduction by making a gift to LOLT of their personal residence or farm while retaining full use and rights to the property during their lifetime. The donor retains a life estate and LOLT receives the property after the donor's lifetime.