Planned Gifts
Create a lasting legacy for native plants
California’s native plants and habitats are irreplaceable. Leave a lasting legacy that reflects your values with a gift of appreciated stock, a retirement account distribution, a donor advised fund contribution, or a gift in your will, trust, or retirement plan—and join our Legacy Circle in celebrating and protecting the flora you love for generations to come.
“[Giving to CNPS] was a way to act on one of my core values. Given my origin story, native plants have been massive for my direction in life. This is a way to provide for conservation into the future.“
“CNPS is great at disseminating information to professionals and the public, like native plant conferences, books and the journal Artemisia. We want to see CNPS continue that important work.”
“California’s plant diversity is astounding to me, and I want to see it protected for centuries to come. Plants are the basis of life in California. These plants don’t have many people speaking for them, and that is exactly what CNPS does in so many ways.”
If you have appreciated stocks or bonds, you can do even more to protect the plants and habitats of our amazing state. California-based donors can save significantly on federal and state taxes with a stock donation. This stock transfer form contains transfer instructions for your broker:
You already saved on taxes by creating a Donor Advised Fund. Now, save the native plants you love by making a gift from your DAF to CNPS. Clients of Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable (DAFgiving360), and BNY Mellon can easily make a designation through the DAF Direct widget on this page.
If you are age 70 1/2 and older, you can save taxes by donating funds from your traditional IRA to California Native Plant Society. Known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), this payment must be made directly from your financial institution to a charitable cause. Note that if you are age 73 or older, this payment can fulfill your minimum distribution requirement (RMD).
Contact Christine Pieper, CNPS Development Director, at legacy@cnps.org or 916.738.7622 with questions or to inform us about your plans.
Additional ways to leave a legacy for California’s native plants.
A bequest—a gift through your will or trust—allows you to care for the future of your loved ones while leaving a legacy that reflects your values. If you don’t have a will or trust, you can create one today using this free online tool. This sample bequest language can help you and your legal advisor clarify your gift intentions. Contact us for more info.
California Native Plant Society can be a primary or secondary beneficiary of your individual retirement account (IRA) or pension plan. This gift does not require a will or trust and can result in a significant tax savings for your estate. Simply request a beneficiary designation form from your financial institution and name CNPS as the beneficiary. Contact us for more info.
A charitable gift annuity turns your cash or asset into guaranteed income payments for life. At your passing, remaining annuity funds will benefit native plants. CNPS partners with the Sacramento Region Community Foundation to offer this option for California residents 65 and older. Contact us for more info.
Do you have a life insurance policy that’s no longer needed? Consider naming a charity as the beneficiary—no will or trust needed. Simply request a beneficiary designation form from your insurer and name CNPS as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. Contact us for more info.
Looking for other ways to give?
