Become A Partner for Farming's Future
Planned Giving at Maine Farmland Trust
MFT's important work is supported financially by thousands of people through membership dues, annual appeals and gifts for our Campaign, which will Secure a Future for Farming by helping us to preserve 100,000 acres of Maine's most vulnerable farmland.
Planned giving offers opportunities to contribute in a way that supports one's financial and estate plans as well as supports MFT and its Campaign. Planned gifts often provide a means for people to make a larger gift than otherwise possible because the gifts are deferred and/or because they pay back to the donor during their lives. Making such a gift at this time will contribute to MFTs Campaign Securing A Future for Farming.
We urge you to seriously consider a planned gift, and in so doing, become part of MFT's group of Partners for Farming's Future. By becoming a Partner, you demonstrate your commitment to MFT and thier future of farming in Maine. There is no better way to show your support than by providing for MFT in your estate plan. (Gifts can be made anonymously, if preferred.)
MFT’s board has adopted a Gift Acceptance Policy, which is available on request. We summarize below some of the types of planned gifts you can make under that Policy. MFT is ready to work with you and your financial advisor to develop a plan that fits your situation and your goals.
Some Types of Planned Gifts:
Bequest: You can designate that a portion of your estate be left to MFT. This might include some pre-selected asset or assets (such as a certain amount of cash or certain bonds, mutual funds, or other publicly traded securities) or some specified percentage of your total estate.
Life Income Gift: You can meet three important goals through this kind of gift: maintaining a source of income; creating an opportunity to receive tax benefits; and supporting MFT. Here are examples of what’s possible:
Charitable Gift Annuity and Deferred Charitable Gift Annuities allow a donor to make a charitable gift of cash or stock to MFT and in return receive fixed payment for as long as the donor lives. (Such gifts must have a minimum value of $25,000)
Charitable Remainder Trusts provide the donor income for life while designating the remainder as a gift to MFT. They are often funded with appreciated securities or real estate, reducing or eliminating capital gains taxes.
Charitable Lead Trusts provide income to MFT during its term, and then pass the assets back to the donor or the donor’s heirs. They often provide a significant reduction in wealth transfer taxes.
Real Estate: You can make gifts of real property to MFT. This may include farmland which you would like MFT to preserve or other property which could be sold to further MFT’s mission. You could also give a farm or residence where you continue to live (retaining a “life estate”). NOTE: Real Estate gifts, like other complex gifts, require advance review and approval by MFT’s Board according to its policies.
Life Insurance: You can name MFT as a beneficiary of a portion of your life insurance policy. Alternatively, you can transfer ownership of the policy to MFT during your lifetime. Gifts of life insurance may help your estate to reduce or eliminate taxes.
Retirement Plan Assets: You can make a charitable gift by having MFT receive a portion of your retirement fund through a beneficiary designation. Doing so may significantly reduce (or eliminate entirely) future estate taxes or embedded income tax payable by heirs on such assets. Such a deferred gift is intended to maintain your current financial security.
PLEASE TALK WITH US ABOUT PLANNED GIFTS:
If you would like further information or to speak with MFT about planned gifts or the benefits of becoming a Partner, please use the contact information below. For information about MFT and its programs, accomplishments, and goals, please visit www.mainefarmlandtrust.org. MFT strongly recommends anyone considering a planned gift seek independent, competent advice from an estate and financial planning professional.