by Susan Pelmulder
This year, when I updated my trust, I added a bequest to SCVAS. When I pass, my gift will be added to the Legacy Fund, which is reserved for projects that promote the long- term sustainability of our organization and its mission. We are coming up on our centennial celebration and looking towards our bi-centennial. This act makes me part of a legacy of education and conservation for birds and bird habitat.
In making the decision to add a bequest to SCVAS, it wasn’t that I don’t have worthy family members to pass my wealth to, but that they will all survive without receiving every penny I have; they can share. They also know my passion for birds and the environment, so they won’t be surprised.
Leaving SCVAS a percentage of my estate made the most sense for me because I didn’t have to guess how big my estate would be decades from now. If I end up needing to use most of my estate, the other beneficiaries will still receive something. Your situation may be different, and you may wish to leave a specific amount of money, real property or stock account. Alternatively, you might name SCVAS as a beneficiary of a traditional IRA, which passes outside of any trust or will.
Many of you are aware that there was a survey of the membership regarding changing our name, which the SCVAS board is exploring. You can make a bequest now and have it still be effective if the name changes by naming “Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, by whatever name it is known, 22221 McClellan Rd., Cupertino, CA 95014.”
A gift for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society in your will, trust or other estate plan creates a legacy of education and conservation for birds and their habitat. Pass on your passion for birds and their environment to generations to come.
To confidentially discuss a Legacy Fund gift, call Matthew Dodder at 408-252-3748.
Please see our webpage for more information. We also encourage you to discuss your gift with your tax, financial or legal advisors. If you have already left SCVAS a bequest, please let us know so that we can recognize you as a member of our Legacy Society if you wish.