The wild places, waterways, and wildlife LightHawk works to protect will need champions for years to come. Including LightHawk in your will, trust, or beneficiary designations is a meaningful way to extend your commitment to conservation beyond your lifetime, without affecting your finances today.
These gifts can be changed at any time and may offer estate-planning or tax advantages depending on your circumstances.
We encourage you to consult your attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional when considering a legacy gift.
Four Simple Ways to Leave a Legacy
You can leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are made. A bequest can be included when you create or update your estate plan, or added to an existing will through a simple amendment called a codicil. No minimum amount is required.
Naming LightHawk as a primary or contingent beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy is a simple way to make a future gift. The benefit is paid directly to LightHawk upon your passing, according to the terms of the policy. You may also choose to donate ownership of a paid-up policy during your lifetime, which may qualify for a charitable tax deduction. Contact your insurance company to request a beneficiary designation or ownership transfer form.
Retirement accounts can be an especially effective way to make a charitable legacy gift. By naming LightHawk as a beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plan, you can direct all or a percentage of the remaining account to LightHawk. Because tax-exempt charities are generally treated differently from individual beneficiaries, retirement assets may offer important tax advantages as part of an estate plan. Contact your plan administrator or account custodian to update your beneficiary designation.
Many bank and investment accounts allow you to name LightHawk as a payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary. These designations can allow assets to pass directly to LightHawk outside of probate, without requiring a change to your will. Contact your bank or financial institution to learn what beneficiary options are available for your account.
Sample Bequest Language
Planning a gift through your will or trust? The following language is provided as a starting point for discussion with your attorney, who can tailor it to your individual estate plan.
General bequest (specific dollar amount)
“I give and bequeath to LightHawk Conservation Flying, a Colorado nonprofit corporation (Tax ID 84-0852104), located at PO Box 2755, Grand Junction, CO 81502, the sum of $________ for its general conservation purposes.”
Percentage of estate
“I give and bequeath to LightHawk Conservation Flying, a Colorado nonprofit corporation (Tax ID 84-0852104), located at PO Box 2755, Grand Junction, CO 81502, __% of my residuary estate for its general conservation purposes.”
Residuary bequest (remainder of estate after other gifts)
“I give, devise, and bequeath all [or __% of] the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to LightHawk Conservation Flying, a Colorado nonprofit corporation (Tax ID 84-0852104), located at PO Box 2755, Grand Junction, CO 81502, for its general conservation purposes.”
Contingent bequest (backup gift if primary beneficiary does not survive you)
“If [primary beneficiary] does not survive me, I give and bequeath to LightHawk Conservation Flying, a Colorado nonprofit corporation (Tax ID 84-0852104), located at PO Box 2755, Grand Junction, CO 81502, [the sum of $________ / __% of my estate / all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate] for its general conservation purposes.”
LightHawk legal information for your attorney
Legal name
LightHawk
Address
PO Box 2755, Grand Junction, CO 81502
Federal Tax ID
84-0852104
Type of organization
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation
State of incorporation
Colorado
Frequently asked questions
You are not required to notify us, but we warmly encourage you to. Letting us know allows us to thank you personally, ensure your wishes can be fulfilled, and welcome you into our community of legacy supporters. Your gift remains completely confidential if you prefer.
Yes. If you have a specific conservation area or type of work you want to support, we encourage you to speak with our Advancement Team before finalizing your plans so we can confirm LightHawk is able to honor your wishes. For most gifts, directing the gift to “general conservation purposes” gives LightHawk the flexibility to put it to the best use.
No. You can add a bequest to an existing will through a simple amendment called a codicil, which your attorney can prepare. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and bank accounts are updated directly with the account custodian and do not require changes to your will.
Add thWhen heirs inherit a retirement account like an IRA or 401(k), they generally owe income tax on the withdrawals. A charity like LightHawk pays no income tax, so the full value of the account goes to conservation work. Life insurance proceeds are also received tax-free by LightHawk, making both excellent assets to designate for charitable giving.e answer…
LightHawk’s legal name is LightHawk Conservation Flying. Our Federal Tax ID number is 84-0852104. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation incorporated in Colorado.
Our Advancement Team is happy to discuss your plans in complete confidence. Email [email protected] or call (970) 797-9355 ext. 12.
Ready to Include LightHawk in Your Plans?
Our Advancement Team can provide the information you or your advisor need, confidentially and without obligation.
