Legacy Circle

The Legacy Circle was created to recognize those extraordinary supporters who have made provisions for Shirley Heinze Land Trust in their estate plans.

The Heinze Trust Legacy Circle is a group of individuals who share a commitment to safeguarding our most precious natural lands in Northwest Indiana. In doing so, they have named Shirley Heinze Land Trust as a beneficiary in their estate plans, trusts, life income gifts, insurance policies, or retirement plans. We are most grateful for their generosity and support.

The thoughtfulness and vision of these special supporters is vital to continuing our work for the benefit of future generations. For more information about including Shirley Heinze Land Trust in your estate plan, please contact Shandra Niswander, Development Coordinator at 219-879-4725 or via email at development@heinzetrust.org

A Second-Chance Opportunity to Make Tax-Free Gifts from Your IRA!

Thanks to recent individual retirement account (IRA) legislation, individuals age 70½ or older can once again make outright gifts using IRA funds without adverse tax consequences. If you are required to receive minimum distributions from your IRA and do not need these funds for personal use, consider using them to make a charitable gift to Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Although you cannot claim a charitable deduction for the IRA gifts, you will not pay income tax on the gift amount.

You may contribute if:

• You are 70½ or older
• Your IRA gifts total $100,000 or less each year in 2008 and 2009
• You transfer funds directly from an IRA
• You transfer the gifts outright to one or more public charities (Gifts made to charitable trusts, donor advised funds and supporting organizations are excluded.)

Benefits

• In most cases, the transfer counts toward your minimum required distributions.
• The gift generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so even those who do not itemize their tax returns receive the benefit.
• You may transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA in 2008 and 2009.
• The distributions may be in addition to or fulfill any charitable giving you have already planned.

Please consult your tax advisor and your IRA administrator if you are considering a gift under this law.