Gifts Made through Your Will

A bequest permits a donor to help shape the future of the Fairfield Museum while retaining complete control over assets during his or her lifetime. Bequests can:
• Designate a specific amount as an unconditional gift to the Fairfield Museum’s endowment
• Designate a gift of a percentage or all of your residuary estate
• Designate a gift of specific items such as securities, real estate, art work, etc.

Bequests earn a full charitable deduction from estate taxes. Bequests may also be used to support the Fairfield Museum’s ongoing educational activities by endowing in perpetuity a Donor’s gift to the Annual Fund.

Charitable Remainder Trust

With a charitable remainder trust, a donor (or someone he or she selects) can receive income for life, knowing that whatever remains will benefit the Fairfield Museum.

By transferring assets to establish a charitable remainder trust, a donor receives an immediate tax deduction for the present value of the gift in the year the gift is made. He or she also reduces or avoids capital gains taxes associated with the gifted asset. Eventually, when the trust's term is complete, the remaining assets pass on to the Fairfield Museum.

Charitable Lead Trust

A donor can place cash or property in a trust that pays a fixed amount to the Fairfield Museum for the number of years he or she selects. Once this period ends, the assets held by the trust are transferred to beneficiaries named by the donor.

Gifts from Retirement Plans

Those who have planned carefully for retirement may find that the assets in their IRAs and other qualified retirement plans exceed their needs. Donors can make a contribution from their retirement plan during their lifetime, or designate that assets remaining in the plan after death are contributed to the Fairfield Museum. This strategy can be far more advantageous than having those assets included in a taxable estate or leaving them to heirs who may be taxed at a high rate.

Gifts of Life Insurance

A donor can give a life insurance policy to the Fairfield Museum. If the policy is fully paid, the tax deduction is either the replacement value or your cost, whichever is less. If the policy is not fully paid and the donor decides to contribute the premiums, those amounts become deductible as charitable contributions. In either case, donors enjoy an immediate tax deduction and substantial estate tax savings later.