Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Heritage Heroes Initiative
Prairie people take the long view.
What was created by the last glacier was all but totally converted to row crops in just a few generations and may only be restored with decades of love and investment...and we have begun that process. We see our devoted and lasting work as our collective legacy.
What do you value enough to make part of your legacy? For long-term thinkers, Nachusa Grasslands checks all the boxes:
What was created by the last glacier was all but totally converted to row crops in just a few generations and may only be restored with decades of love and investment...and we have begun that process. We see our devoted and lasting work as our collective legacy.
What do you value enough to make part of your legacy? For long-term thinkers, Nachusa Grasslands checks all the boxes:
It restores a landscape almost lost forever.
It benefits both nature and humankind. It has a demonstrated record of success. It’s supported by dozens of volunteers giving thousands of hours annually. It’s beautiful. |
Nachusa’s Heritage Heroes are game changers who impact the landscape forever. Please consider these testimonials of three Heroes.
Your legacy commitment to include Friends of Nachusa Grasslands in your estate plans will accelerate Nachusa’s restoration in a way that honors your values. Please consider becoming a Heritage Hero by taking the long view with us. Complete the Heritage Heroes Response form below, and we will contact you soon.
Make a Legacy Gift
Creating a legacy gift will leave a lasting impact on the landscape, but costs nothing today. It’s also an easy way to join the "Heritage Heroes" who have provided for Friends in their estate plans or as a beneficiary of a life insurance or retirement account. Heritage Heroes are recognized in our Annual Report and hold a special place in this community, so please let us know if Friends is part of your estate.
Sample language for your will
To designate Friends as the beneficiary of your will, trust, insurance policy or retirement account, we should be named as Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under laws of the State of Illinois, with the name and address of: Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.
Our tax identification number is 26-3303031.
Our tax identification number is 26-3303031.
create your legacy – Free will-making tool
Most Americans do not have a current will. With this tool, it's easy to create an official legal document. It's free to you and a smart, thoughtful way to shape the future of the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands. This software tool is operated by FreeWill Co.:
https://www.freewill.com/will/basics/personal/get-started
https://www.freewill.com/will/basics/personal/get-started
Give from Your IRA
If you are 70 and ½ years of age, you may make a tax free distribution called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to a not-for-profit.
What are Qualified Charitable Distributions?
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are funds from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that can be donated to a nonprofit organization without first recognizing it as income.
QCDs are also sometimes referred to as IRA Charitable Rollovers.
Up to $100,000 in IRA funds can be counted as QCDs annually, or $200,000 for married couples.
QCDs are also sometimes referred to as IRA Charitable Rollovers.
Up to $100,000 in IRA funds can be counted as QCDs annually, or $200,000 for married couples.
Who is Eligible?
If you are above the age of 70 and ½ and have a Traditional IRA, you are eligible to make a QCD.
What are the benefits?
QCDs reduce your taxable income
Normally, funds that are withdrawn from a Traditional IRA count toward your annual income, which will increase your overall tax burden. In some cases, this increase may also move you into a higher tax bracket. However, QCDs are an exception to this rule—funds go directly from your IRA to your chosen charitable organization without needing to be withdrawn, thereby helping you avoid higher income taxes.
Normally, funds that are withdrawn from a Traditional IRA count toward your annual income, which will increase your overall tax burden. In some cases, this increase may also move you into a higher tax bracket. However, QCDs are an exception to this rule—funds go directly from your IRA to your chosen charitable organization without needing to be withdrawn, thereby helping you avoid higher income taxes.
QCDs satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMD)
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are amounts that you must withdraw annually from your Traditional IRA once you reach a certain age. As of Jan. 1, 2020, this age is 72.*
If you do not withdraw your RMD, you will face a penalty tax of 50% of the required withdrawal amount. QCDs can be used to meet this RMD requirement and avoid penalties.
Read more about RMDs on the IRS website.
If you do not withdraw your RMD, you will face a penalty tax of 50% of the required withdrawal amount. QCDs can be used to meet this RMD requirement and avoid penalties.
Read more about RMDs on the IRS website.
QCDs maximize your charitable impact
Because QCDs do not need to be recognized as income, charitable organizations receive the full amount of the transfer tax-free.
It’s a win-win situation that both supports you and Friends of Nachusa Grasslands.
It’s a win-win situation that both supports you and Friends of Nachusa Grasslands.
Give Stocks and Securities
Making a gift of appreciated securities can be a great tax-efficient way to support Friends, as you may be able to reduce or eliminate capital gains tax. To obtain brokerage information on donating securities to Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, please submit this form, and we will reply to you from nachusagrasslands@gmail.com.
Note that brokerage companies do not always disclose donors’ names. By notifying us of your plan to donate stock, we will be sure to recognize your gift with a receipt and our thanks.
Note that brokerage companies do not always disclose donors’ names. By notifying us of your plan to donate stock, we will be sure to recognize your gift with a receipt and our thanks.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ESTATE PLANNING OR GIVING IRAs, STOCKS, OR MUTUAL FUNDS?
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the trusted manager of two of our endowments, can answer questions about all of these methods of giving. Please complete this form, which will go directly to the Foundation. Note that the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands does not offer financial advice.
free Will-making tool and sample language for your will
Most Americans do not have a current will. With this tool, it's easy to create an official legal document. It's free to you and a smart, thoughtful way to shape the future of the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands. This software tool is operated by FreeWill Co.:
https://www.freewill.com/will/basics/personal/get-started
To name Friends of Nachusa Grasslands in an existing will or one being prepared for you: we should be named as Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under laws of the State of Illinois, with the name and address of: Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.
The tax identification number (EIN) for Friends of Nachusa Grasslands is 26-3303031.
https://www.freewill.com/will/basics/personal/get-started
To name Friends of Nachusa Grasslands in an existing will or one being prepared for you: we should be named as Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, a nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under laws of the State of Illinois, with the name and address of: Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.
The tax identification number (EIN) for Friends of Nachusa Grasslands is 26-3303031.
What are my estate designation options?
- Friends Endowment for Nachusa Grasslands is a permanent resource managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Annual distributions are made to Friends to fund Nachusa operations as determined by our Board of Directors. This endowment may be preferred by those who favor highly qualified, local control of their gifts.
- Friends Endowment for Nachusa Science is a permanent resource managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Annual distributions are made to Friends to fund scientific research grants.
- Nachusa Grasslands Stewardship Endowment is a permanent resource managed by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Annual distributions are used by TNC to fund Nachusa operations. This endowment may be preferred by those who favor highly qualified control of their gifts by an international institution.
- Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Scientific-Research Project Grants are awarded by Friends to qualified candidates conducting scientific research significant to the management of Nachusa habitat and wildlife.
- Friends Land Protection Fund supports land acquisition at Nachusa.
- Undesignated gifts will be utilized as most needed.
- Download Designation Options and Sample Language for your will.
UPDATED 03/2023