Beneficiary designations are an easy and flexible means of leaving a charitable legacy using IRAs, retirement plans, life insurance policies, commercial annuities, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, or brokerage accounts. Separate beneficiary forms filed with the issuing entity determine who receives these assets rather than being controlled by the terms of your will. The assets can be divided among recipients in any way you choose and can be modified at any time to meet your changing life needs.

As part of a well-crafted estate plan, charitable trusts can be a valuable arrangement when planning for the future of you and your family and your community. Trusts allow you to determine who receives your assets and when your beneficiaries can access them, shield your assets from estate taxes and court fees, and protect your assets. Examples of charitable trusts include living trusts, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts.

If you want to have a more direct impact on how your assets are used to support the Nature Center, establishing a fund with the River Legacy Foundation is a beneficial option for leaving a lasting legacy. Funds can be designated as field of interest, which supports a specific project of your choice, or donor-advised, which provides more involvement and flexibility to support a variety of conservation projects.