How to Give

Create Your Legacy Through a Planned Gift

Charitable gifts help you meet your current philanthropic goals and extend your generosity well into the future. But did you know that a planned gift can also protect your assets, provide for your family, and guarantee you income for life? You can even make a significant impact through a gift that costs nothing in your lifetime (through a charitable bequest under your will).

Seven Ways to Make a Planned Gift

To read about one of the seven basic ways to make a planned gift, select the one below that best fits your situation.

Gifts by Will
Make a gift that costs nothing now.

Beneficiary Designations
Beneficiary designations are one of the simplest and most flexible ways to make a gift.

Gifts That Pay You Income
You can support Cornell Lab of Ornithology and retain income for yourself and loved ones.

Gifts That Protect Your Assets
Lead trusts allow you to benefit Cornell Lab of Ornithology now, then your heirs.

Gifts from Retirement Plans
Consider retirement-plan benefits for a significant gift to Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Gifts by Estate Note
An estate note is an irrevocable pledge or debt against the donor's estate.

 

What to Give
Giving cash is simple, but giving assets such as stocks often offers additional tax savings.