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Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund
Cleveland Metroparks established the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund within The Cleveland Foundation to preserve the natural resources of the "Emerald Necklace" and help to provide outdoor education and recreation for generations to come. Contributions to the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund remain in the fund and generate annual income to benefit all aspects of Cleveland Metroparks including:
- Conserving natural resources through land and wildlife stewardship
- Providing outdoor education for all ages, ranging from preschool interactive explorations to the nationally acclaimed Institute of the Great Outdoors adventure programs
- Facilitating recreation opportunities to foster personal wellness, health and the enjoyment of natural resources
Donors may also designate gifts within the Endowment Fund for specific purposes such as education programs, research programs, conservation projects or locations within the Park District including trailheads, overlook decks and picnic shelters. Contributions of $10,000 or more may be recognized through mutually agreed opportunities. Personalized proposals for endowment gifts to support programs or locations within Cleveland Metroparks are available by contacting Karen Kannenberg, manager of gift and donor development at 216-635-3217 or kjk@clevelandmetroparks. All inquiries are confidential.
Ways to Give
Gifts may be made to the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund through cash donations, online gifts via credit card, appreciated securities, will bequests and other forms of estate planning.
Outright Gifts
A gift of cash is a simple and effective way of expressing your commitment to Cleveland Metroparks. Please make checks payable to the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund and mail to:
Karen Kannenberg
Manager of Gift and Donor Development
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
Online Donations
To make a gift to the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund of The Cleveland Foundation online, please visit http://www.clevelandfoundation.org/Donors/BecomingADonor/GiveOnline/ and highlight Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund.
Appreciated Securities
Appreciated assets such as publicly traded stocks or mutual funds are a great way to support the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund and reduce capital gains tax! Please contact Karen Kannenberg at 216-635-3217 or kjk@clevelandmetroparks for more information.
IRA Rollover
Through provisions in the 2006 Pension Protection Act, individuals who are over the age of
70 ½ may direct tax-free distributions from an IRA or Roth IRA to one or more charities such as the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund of The Cleveland Foundation. Funds transferred from an IRA to a qualified charity also count toward your mandatory annual withdrawal. To take advantage of this great opportunity, simply contact the custodian of your IRA.
Planned Gifts
Cleveland Metroparks planned giving program offers a unique way to serve as a steward of the region's natural landscape. By including Cleveland Metroparks in your estate plans, you can help preserve and expand the "Emerald Necklace" while you plan for your own financial future.
A planned gift benefits both you and Cleveland Metroparks. You benefit from the satisfaction of knowing that your gift furthers conservation, education and recreation within Cleveland Metroparks. An additional benefit may be substantial tax savings, proportionate to the size of the gift. Cleveland Metroparks benefits from additional financial resources to continue and expand its high standard of excellence in conservation, education and recreation.
Here are a few examples: A charitable remainder trust earns income for the life of the donor and helps Cleveland Metroparks acquire additional land to preserve wildlife. A bequest to Cleveland Metroparks helps to reduce estate taxes and allows children to experience nature first-hand through the outstanding programs offered at nature centers. A charitable gift annuity provides attractive interest rates to the donor and adds scenic miles to Cleveland Metroparks extensive walking trails.
A gift to Cleveland Metroparks may be given without restrictions or specified for a program or facility that you find personally compelling. Unrestricted funds support ongoing special initiatives within all aspects of Cleveland Metroparks to maintain its high level of quality. All planned gifts provide donors with the opportunity to establish a permanent partnership with Cleveland Metroparks that creates an enduring legacy.
Bequest
A bequest is one of the most forthright ways to support Cleveland Metroparks. Through a bequest, you may donate cash, securities or real estate to further conservation, education and recreation in Cleveland Metroparks.
IRA or Qualified Plan
Upon death, retirement plans or IRA balances are included for estate and income taxes to your beneficiaries - often up to 85%. Funding a charitable bequest to Cleveland Metroparks with an IRA or retirement plan prevents the bequest from becoming a liability of your estate, and the gift is made with pre-tax dollars.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust offers a gift to Cleveland Metroparks without loss of income to you and provides a current income tax deduction allowed for a future gift. The value of the gift is based on current market value, without triggering a taxable capital gain and offers an income at a desired percentage without regard to current investment return.
Charitable Lead Trust
Lead trusts allow you to transfer assets to a trust that pays Cleveland Metroparks an income for your lifetime, or specified number of years. At the expiration of the lead trust, remaining assets transfer to the donor's beneficiaries with decreased or eliminated estate and gift taxes.
Charitable Gift Annuity
With a gift of cash or marketable securities, you may purchase a charitable gift annuity that can provide you or a designated beneficiary with annual guaranteed lifetime income payments. Once your income needs are met, the initial gift will benefit Cleveland Metroparks. The amount of guaranteed lifetime payments depends on the age of the beneficiary in the year of donation and the value of the gift. A gift annuity will provide you with tax benefits in the year of donation as well throughout the lifetime of the donor.
Life Insurance Policy
Life insurance makes it possible for virtually everyone to make a meaningful gift to Cleveland Metroparks. Policies that were never used for their original purpose can make excellent gifts. Tax benefits depend on many factors, including whether the policy is fully paid.
For more information on ways you can support Cleveland Metroparks, please contact:
Karen Kannenberg
Manager of Gift and Donor Development
Cleveland Metroparks
4101 Fulton Parkway
Cleveland, Ohio 44144
216-635-3217
kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com
Emerald Necklace Fellowship
The Emerald Necklace Fellowship recognizes and honors those who serve as stewards of Cleveland Metroparks by including the Emerald Necklace Endowment Fund in their estate plan. Members of the Emerald Necklace Fellowship are recognized annually in the Emerald Necklace newsletter and the Gift of Nature annual report.
If you have already included Cleveland Metroparks in your estate plan, we would like to include you as part of the Emerald Necklace Fellowship . Please contact Cleveland Metroparks Manager of Gift and Donor Development at 216-635-3217 or kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com .
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