A gift in a will or trust is one of the easiest ways to support TREE Fund. You may donate cash, securities, or real estate in your will or trust to further tree research and education. You may also designate your gift to an endowment fund to protect TREE Fund for generations to come. Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund) is grateful that you are considering donating funds to TREE Fund through your will/estate plans (also referred to as a charitable bequest). Below is some sample language to facilitate a charitable bequest. Please consult with your legal advisor to discuss whether this language meets your estate planning intentions, and reflects your particular charitable intentions.
You can establish a newly endowed research, education, or scholarship program. Please contact TREE Fund staff. We are available to assist you or your advisors, offering sample bequest language or providing information about specific programs of personal interest to you.
Sample Bequest Language (general)
The first paragraph identifies the bequest, and generally falls into one of two categories:
- If the bequest is a specific amount or asset:
I give [amount or description] to Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (“TREE Fund”), an Illinois public benefit corporation, (Tax ID 37-1018692) to be administered as a separate fund for the purposes of TREE Fund in accordance with and subject to the governing instruments of TREE Fund. If the value of this gift or bequest at the time it is transferred equals or exceeds $100,000, this gift or bequest shall be a fund known as the [name of donor or other individual] Fund of TREE Fund.
- If the bequest is the remainder of an estate:
I give all the rest, residue and remainder of my property, of whatever nature and wherever located, which I may own or over which I have the right of testamentary disposition or a power of appointment at my death, to Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (“TREE Fund”), an Illinois public benefit corporation, (Tax ID 37-1018692) to be administered as a separate fund for the purposes of TREE Fund in accordance with and subject to the governing instruments of TREE Fund. If the value of this gift or bequest at the time it is transferred equals or exceeds $100,000, this gift or bequest shall be a fund known as the [name of donor or other individual] Fund of TREE Fund.
The second paragraph indicates how the bequest will be used, typically falling into one of the following three types:
- If the bequest is unrestricted:
It is my desire that distributions from the Fund be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees of TREE Fund to implement its core mission.
- If the bequest is to support a particular field of interest:
It is my desire that distributions from the Fund be made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees of TREE Fund to meet special needs in the area(s) of ***[Research, Education, or Scholarships].
- If the bequest is to support specific fund: Please contact the TREE Fund team for sample language.
The language provided on this page is not intended to be a substitute for legal or tax advice. We recommend that you consult with your attorney and/or tax counsel for such advice.