Making a Bequest to THE MUSEUM
Your Enduring Legacy
While more than 80% of Americans contribute to nonprofit groups in their lifetimes, only a small percentage of them choose to continue their support through a charitable bequest. A bequest or other planned gift is the best way to ensure that The Appalachian Trail Museum continues to pass on and protect the history of the Appalachian Trail.
What is a Charitable Bequest?
A charitable bequest is a gift made to a nonprofit, charity, or cause that you believe in and hope will continue in perpetuity . . . indefinitely.
It is a thoughtful and enduring way of showing others what you value most. When you make a bequest, you are providing a special gift in your will that changes lives.
Your gift to The Appalachian Trail plants a seed that will bear fruit for many years to come.
Why Should I Make a Bequest to A.T. Museum?
The Appalachian Trail Museum is the only hiking museum in the U.S. that is dedicated to preserving the history of the trail by telling the stories of the founding, construction, preservation, maintenance, protection, and enjoyment of the Trail since its creation. Only through your continued support will the museum grow and continue to fascinate and entertain visitors with it’s many exhibits and programs.
When you make a bequest gift to The A.T. Museum, you will support a continued museum expansion as well as a number of developing projects and programs directed at informing the public about the benefits of hiking, safety, and history of the trail.
The Most Common Gift Bequests are Stated in One of the Following Ways:
1. Specific Bequest
—a certain amount of cash, securities, or property.
2. Percentage Bequest
—a stated percentage of your estate.
3. Residual (“Remainder”) Bequest
—all or a portion of what remains of your estate after specific and general bequests are distributed.
The vast majority of bequests are in the first category—a specified amount of money that is transferred to a charity or nonprofit by means of your will, trust or estate plan. This type of bequest includes life insurance policies, retirement funds, bank and savings accounts, and mutual funds.
Bequest Language
You may make a bequest by including language in your will that names The A.T. Museum as the beneficiary of your entire estate, or you can designate that a specific dollar amount, a particular asset, or a fixed percentage of your estate goes to The Museum. Here is a typical example of bequest language:
"I give (_____dollars) (or a specific asset) (or ____percent of the residue of my estate) to the Appalachian Trail Museum, (for its general purposes) or (for a specific program).
Getting Started—3 Easy Steps to Making a Bequest
1. Decide what people and entities you want to support, including the type of bequest you would like to make to The A.T. Museum.
2. Make an appointment with your attorney or estate planner to discuss your options. When you draft your will, or the next time you update it, address your plans to make a bequest to The Appalachian Trail Museum.
3. Contact The A.T. Museum to discuss your gift, and provide appropriate staff with a copy of the relevant provision from your will or trust benefiting The Appalachian Trail Museum.
While more than 80% of Americans contribute to nonprofit groups in their lifetimes, only a small percentage of them choose to continue their support through a charitable bequest. A bequest or other planned gift is the best way to ensure that The Appalachian Trail Museum continues to pass on and protect the history of the Appalachian Trail.
What is a Charitable Bequest?
A charitable bequest is a gift made to a nonprofit, charity, or cause that you believe in and hope will continue in perpetuity . . . indefinitely.
It is a thoughtful and enduring way of showing others what you value most. When you make a bequest, you are providing a special gift in your will that changes lives.
Your gift to The Appalachian Trail plants a seed that will bear fruit for many years to come.
Why Should I Make a Bequest to A.T. Museum?
The Appalachian Trail Museum is the only hiking museum in the U.S. that is dedicated to preserving the history of the trail by telling the stories of the founding, construction, preservation, maintenance, protection, and enjoyment of the Trail since its creation. Only through your continued support will the museum grow and continue to fascinate and entertain visitors with it’s many exhibits and programs.
When you make a bequest gift to The A.T. Museum, you will support a continued museum expansion as well as a number of developing projects and programs directed at informing the public about the benefits of hiking, safety, and history of the trail.
The Most Common Gift Bequests are Stated in One of the Following Ways:
1. Specific Bequest
—a certain amount of cash, securities, or property.
2. Percentage Bequest
—a stated percentage of your estate.
3. Residual (“Remainder”) Bequest
—all or a portion of what remains of your estate after specific and general bequests are distributed.
The vast majority of bequests are in the first category—a specified amount of money that is transferred to a charity or nonprofit by means of your will, trust or estate plan. This type of bequest includes life insurance policies, retirement funds, bank and savings accounts, and mutual funds.
Bequest Language
You may make a bequest by including language in your will that names The A.T. Museum as the beneficiary of your entire estate, or you can designate that a specific dollar amount, a particular asset, or a fixed percentage of your estate goes to The Museum. Here is a typical example of bequest language:
"I give (_____dollars) (or a specific asset) (or ____percent of the residue of my estate) to the Appalachian Trail Museum, (for its general purposes) or (for a specific program).
Getting Started—3 Easy Steps to Making a Bequest
1. Decide what people and entities you want to support, including the type of bequest you would like to make to The A.T. Museum.
2. Make an appointment with your attorney or estate planner to discuss your options. When you draft your will, or the next time you update it, address your plans to make a bequest to The Appalachian Trail Museum.
3. Contact The A.T. Museum to discuss your gift, and provide appropriate staff with a copy of the relevant provision from your will or trust benefiting The Appalachian Trail Museum.