Plan a Gift to the Conservancy

Today the park system connects people and nature from Back Bay to Dorchester. Through a planned gift, you will continue the legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted who designed the park system more than 100 years ago. You can continue this legacy for the next 100 years and beyond. By remembering the Conservancy in your plans, you will sustain and strengthen the Emerald Necklace parks for years to come.

A planned gift is any gift made during life or at death as part of your overall financial or estate plan. Often a planned gift will allow you to make a substantial contribution to the Conservancy at a reduced cost to you and your family by:

  • Taking advantage of tax benefits,
  • Retaining use of the asset during your lifetime, and/or
  • Maximizing the after-tax benefits to your heirs.

The Emerald Society

Have you already made provisions to support the Conservancy? Let us know. The Emerald Society celebrates donors who have made a commitment to the future of the Emerald Necklace.
You may become a member of The Emerald Society by:

  • Including the Conservancy in your will
  • Creating a charitable trust for the benefit of the Conservancy
  • Naming the Conservancy as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy
  • Supporting the Conservancy when you dissolve your donor advised fund

The Emerald Society is featured in the Conservancy’s Annual Report and on the Conservancy’s website. Most important, members of The Emerald Society know they are maintaining and restoring the Emerald Necklace for future generations.

Types of Planned Gifts

Bequests: A bequest is one of the simplest and most flexible ways to make a planned gift. You may designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate or a particular asset, to pass to the Conservancy. This strategy is flexible as you may make changes at any time. Your estate will receive a federal estate tax deduction for the amount of the bequest.

Highly Appreciated Securities: Donating highly-appreciated securities provides you with the most tax benefits. It’s a low cost gift for you and a high impact gift for the Conservancy. You will receive an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer. If you have questions about a particular asset, please contact us.

Retirement Plans: When your heirs inherit your retirement plans, the tax penalties may decrease the fund by 55%! If you name the Conservancy as the beneficiary, 100% of your gift supports our parks and green spaces.

Life Insurance: There are several ways to make a gift through a life insurance policy, for which you would receive a charitable income tax deduction. Talk to us about ways that make sense for you.

To Donate

Contact Veronika Trufanova, Director of Development, at vtrufanova@emeraldnecklace.org

Additional Ways of Giving
Donor Advised Fund
Matching Gifts
Gifts of Stock
Institutional Partnerships
Planned Giving

Become a monthly sustaining member
Help make a difference all year. Sign up today and your donation will be automatically processed from your debit or credit card each month. For more information or to set up credit card payment, please contact Veronika Trufanova, Director of Development, at vtrufanova@emeraldnecklace.org

Donor Bill of Rights