Many of our supporters leave a gift to Greenbelt Land Trust in their wills or trusts so they can do even more to protect nature for future generations. You can, too. You’ll be helping to protect our natural resources for years to come.

How it works:

1. You designate a particular asset or a percentage of your estate to GLT by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. You can do this while creating your will or trust, or you can amend an existing one with a simple document. Greenbelt can be either a primary or a contingent beneficiary.
2. If you plan to restrict the use of your bequest (designating to a specific area or program), you contact GLT while drafting your will or trust to ensure your wishes can be met. The more narrowly you restrict the use of your bequest, the greater the risk that the program you want to benefit today won’t be as vital or as relevant when we receive your gift in the future. 
3. You inform GLT of your intent, which helps for planning and ensures your wishes can be fulfilled. This is especially important for gifts of real estate, business interest or other specialized property.
4. Greenbelt Land Trust receives the gift after your lifetime and applies it to the purpose(s) you specified. At GLT, unrestricted charitable gifts are used to support priority conservation projects.
5. Your distribution is fully deductible for federal estate tax purposes, and there is no limit on the deduction your estate can claim. In addition, the gift is usually exempt from state inheritance taxes.

Donating stocks or mutual funds to Greenbelt Land Trust is a smart and simple way to help protect the natural world.

How it works:

You can make a gift of appreciated securities—publicly traded stocks, bonds and mutual fund shares—to GLT while avoiding capital gains tax, diversifying your portfolio and/or securing a stream of income. It’s a simple and efficient way to give.

1. You transfer appreciated securities to GLT.
2. Greenbelt sells the securities and uses the proceeds to fund critical conservation work.

If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free distribution from your traditional or Roth IRA to Greenbelt Land Trust. It’s an efficient way to support the causes that matter to you most.

How it works:

You can donate up to $100,000 each year without incurring income tax on your withdrawal.

Here’s the process:

1. You direct distributions in the amount of your choosing from your traditional or Roth IRA to GLT. This can be a one-time or recurring gift.
2. The distributions go directly to GLT and are not subject to federal income tax.

A gift of cash is the quickest and simplest way to support conservation.

How it works:

1. You send a check, wire funds, or contribute online to Greenbelt Land Trust.
2. We use your donation for the purposes you specify.

An asset you’ve had for generations can be a gift for generations to come. By donating all or part of your property to Greenbelt Land Trust to sell, your gift will support vital conservation work.

How it works:

Here’s the process:

1. You meet with Greenbelt staff to review options for the donation of real property.
2. You deed your property (such as a home, vacation home, commercial building or investment property) to GLT.
3. Greenbelt will sell the property and use the proceeds to support vital programs. In very limited cases we may use the property for our own purposes.