PLANNED GIVING

“We have seen firsthand how legacy gifts can make a lasting impact on conservation efforts, in part through the generous gift of our late friend, Rae Hudspeth. That motivated Mark and me to leave a gift to Sonoma Land Trust in our estate plans.

Mark and I are particularly concerned about the effects of climate change and wildfire resilience after we lost our home in the 2017 Nun’s Fire. We’re passionate about supporting nature-based solutions that reduce fire risks and protect this beautiful county.

We are confident that Sonoma Land Trust has the tools and expertise to do that work, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty of Sonoma County as much as we do.”

— Dianne Brinson and Mark Radcliffe, Legacy League Members

Land Trust Legacy Challenge

Join former Sonoma Land Trust Board Member, Dianne Brinson and her husband Mark Radcliffe in supporting the future of Sonoma County. Through their generous offer of a matching gift of $30,000, $1,000 for each donor who joins the Legacy League, either by notifying us about an existing gift or naming Sonoma Land Trust as a beneficiary of their estate. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact now and in the future, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the beauty of Sonoma County. 

Participation is easy: 

  1. Complete this form to update us on your planned gift. 
  2. Contact us! We’ll send you any additional information you need.
  3. Notify Camille Matson at camille@sonomalandtrust.org or (707) 582-8950 once your gift intention is complete, and Dianne and Mark will make the matching donation. 

Please help us reach our goal of welcoming 30 new Legacy League members before the matching gift expires on December 31, 2025. Together, we can protect the land we love for generations to come.  

About Planned Gifts


Many Sonoma Land Trust supporters have included us in their wills or made other types of legacy gifts to support our mission. Their foresight — and yours, should you choose to join them — strengthens and helps ensure the future of Sonoma Land Trust.

We are especially grateful to you for a bequest, setting up a life income gift or some other type of legacy gift. We are pleased to recognize your commitment by inviting you to join our Legacy League.

If you would like information about remembering Sonoma Land Trust with your legacy gift, please contact Camille Matson, Planned Giving Manager, at (707) 582-8950 or camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Tax ID #51-0197006.

Bequests


The most common way people remember Sonoma Land Trust in a will or living trust is through a charitable bequest. You do not have to rewrite your current documents. You simply add an amendment, called a codicil, to your will or living trust. Here is some suggested language you can have your attorney review:

“I give, devise and bequeath to Sonoma Land Trust (tax I.D. #51-0197006), located in Santa Rosa, California, the sum of ________________________________ dollars ($ _______________) (Or state a percentage of your estate, or describe real or personal property, including exact location) for the benefit of its general purposes (or specify the Sonoma Land Trust program you wish to support).”

Your bequest is entirely under your control during life and becomes irrevocable only at death. If you have questions about bequests, please work with your financial advisor or contact Sonoma Land Trust Planned Giving Manager Camille Matson at (707) 582-8950 or camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Upon completing your bequest, we will be honored to enroll you in Sonoma Land Trust’s Legacy League. Please let us know of your bequest by contacting Camille Matson, Planned Giving Manager, at (707) 582-8950 or camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Estate-planning Tools

Charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts provide a gift to Sonoma Land Trust and income for you for life, as well as favorable tax treatments and other benefits.

A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a simple contract between you and a charity. A portion of the income you receive for life is free of tax. Annuities work best for those 70 and older — the older you are when making this type of gift, the more income you receive. The minimum to fund a CGA is $25,000.

Charitable remainder trusts are similar to annuities and also more complex. Sonoma Land Trust can provide you with information about each of these gifts and their many options. For more information, please contact Camille Matson at camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Tax Benefits Calculations: Sonoma Land Trust can refer you to a qualified advisor to determine your estimated tax and income benefits. For referrals, please contact Camille Matson at camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Free & Easy Gifts

There are many types of legacy gifts that are simply a matter of filling out your provider’s paperwork. Here’s the list:

  • IRA or pension plan
  • Life insurance
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Savings / checking accounts
  • Donor-advised fund

The key to setting up these gifts is contacting the institution that holds your asset. Ask them for a beneficiary form. Some firms refer to them as a designation form, others as a “payment on death” form.

It’s important to remember that when you fill out the form, and you also have language in your will or living trust about the same asset, if there is a discrepancy, the form will take precedence over the will or trust. This is because you have a contract with the firm and that form fits within the scope of the contract. The will or trust does not.

For more information, contact Camille Matson at camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

Effective estate planning usually takes time, effort and a good attorney. In the end, your plan will allow your family to avoid the delay, dissension and needless expense that can occur when a loved one dies without a will. Once you have taken care of your family’s needs, please consider a thoughtful bequest to Sonoma Land Trust.

Join Our Legacy League

Upon completing your legacy gift, we will be honored to enroll you in Sonoma Land Trust’s Legacy League. Legacy League members are recognized in our publications and with invitations to special events. Anonymity is always an option.

Please let us know of your legacy gift by contacting Planned Giving Manager Camille Matson at (707) 582-8950 or camille@sonomalandtrust.org.

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