You can support the Brooklyn Zen Center’s long-term financial vitality by including us in your estate planning. Giving in this way leaves a wonderful and valuable legacy for future generations, and helps the Brooklyn Zen Center develop solid and sustainable programs for years to come. It’s easier than you think, and may also provide excellent benefits for you and/or your family at tax time.
Consider including the Brooklyn Zen Center in your will, living trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Doing so is very easy, and it ensures that your generosity will continue in perpetuity, supporting a dynamic institution dedicated to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion and the flowering of Suzuki Roshi’s lineage.
Naming the Brooklyn Zen Center as a beneficiary in a life insurance or retirement plan costs you nothing in your lifetime and can help reduce the tax burden on your estate. Your lawyer or financial advisor should be able to give you the information on how to do so.
Giving to the Zen Center in a will or trust is also fairly simple provided specific language is used. Here is some sample language; however, a lawyer should always be consulted before making any bequests:
Give a percentage
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York,______% of my estate to be used for charitable purposes.”
Give a specific dollar amount
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York, $_______ to be used for charitable purposes.”
Give a residue
A residue is what assets remain after other bequests have been granted.
“All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York, to be used for its charitable purposes.”
Please let us know that you are interested in these options for planned giving.
You can avoid the capital gains tax you might incur from the sale of an appreciated asset (such as stock) by donating the asset to the Brooklyn Zen Center. You will also receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the asset. Please contact us and let us know if you are interested in making an appreciated asset transfer.
Many companies have matching gift programs that could increase the value of your donation to the Brooklyn Zen Center. We encourage you to check with your personnel department for the matching-gift form. Please contact us for more information.