Profile of a Giver:

• You want to support High Horses after your lifetime.

• ·You have a will or living trust, or are ready to create one.

• You are young or old, wealthy or middle class.

• You want to make a charitable gift while ensuring family is taken care of first.

• You want to maintain the flexibility to change your mind at any time.

• You want estate tax relief.

How it Works

To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable living trust. 

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate.  Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities or property.  After your lifetime, High Horses receives your gift.

Putting Your Family First

When planning a future gift, it’s sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense.  Emergencies happen and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first.  Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate’s value fluctuates over the years. 

A Case Study

Mike and Robin both in their late-fifties recently celebrated the birth of their first grandchild.  The couple wanted to include their grandson in their wills, so they set up a meeting with their estate planning attorney.

During the meeting, the attorney asked whether Mike and Robin, who gave money each year to several charities, wanted to include a charity in their plans.  The attorney explained to the couple that they could change their minds at any time if their circumstances changed and the gift was no longer possible.  The attorney also described how Mike and Robin could leave a percentage of their estate to family, friends, and charity, so that the gift amounts remain proportional as their estate’s value fluctuates over the years.

Mike and Robin decided to include a charitable bequest of 5% of their estate to a qualified charitable organization.  They called the organization to share their plans, so the organization could express their gratitude and keep them informed of its accomplishments.  Someday in the future, Mike and Robin’s thoughtful planning will provide a generous gift in support of the organization’s charitable mission.

1.     Choose what to give

Pick from one of these four options:

• A residuary bequest gives a percentage of the residue of your estate after all other bequest, debits and taxes have been paid.

• A specific bequest gives High Horses Center for Equine-Assisted Services a particular piece of property.  (Note: If you disposed of the property before your death, we won’t receive your intended gift because we cannot claim any other property.)

• A general bequest gives us a stated sum of money.  If there is insufficient cash in your estate to cover the bequest, other assets will be sold for cash to honor your wishes for High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program.

• A contingent bequest requires a certain event to occur before the gift can happen.  For example, you bequeath funds to a family member provided that person survives you; if not, the funds would then go to High Horses.

2.     Decide how you would like High Horses Center for Equine-Assisted Services to use your gift.

Choose from one of the following options:

• An unrestricted bequest allows High Horses to use the assets in the most beneficial way.

• ·A restricted bequest allows you to specify how High Horses may use the funds.  Contact us in advance to be certain your intent can be fulfilled.

• An endowment bequest allows you to designate the purpose of your gift.  Your gift is invested with and becomes part of our endowment and distribution is made each year.  Because the principal remains intact, the fund will support our mission in perpetuity. 

3.     Meet with your estate planning attorney

Whether you need to create a will or trust, or simply update an old document, you’ll want to seek the help of an estate planning attorney or financial advisor.

Sample bequest language for High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program to share with your estate planning attorney

4.     Let us know your plans

Please contact Harold Pinkham, Director of Community Impact & Development, at 802-763-3280 or harold@highhorses.org to let us know when you have made plans for such a gift.  We would love the opportunity to thank you for your generosity.  We are happy to honor requests regarding anonymity. 

How to Make Your Gift