The Arnold Arboretum was established in 1872 through planned gifts from New Bedford whaling merchant James Arnold (1781-1868) and Jamaica Plain farmer Benjamin Bussey (1757-1842) to Harvard University. These bequests of capital and land initiated more than 150 years of philanthropic stewardship of the Arnold by the people who have cherished it. Today, any donor who establishes a planned gift to the Arnold Arboretum is recognized as a member of The James Arnold Society, which honors those who have made efforts to benefit the future of the landscape in this way.
“This is a place we care about.”
Read about James Arnold Society members Roberta Apfel and Bennett Simon.
Common Types of Planned Gifts
- Bequests: Like the Arboretum’s founders, leave a specific amount or percentage of your estate, or its remainder, to support the Arboretum. Contact us to review the language in your plans, so we can ensure your gift is used how you intend—and so we may thank you!
- Beneficiary designations: Naming the Arboretum a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or IRA, is an easy, tax-efficient way to support our mission. You can also make qualified charitable distributions from an IRA during your lifetime, for those 70½ and older. These tax-free gifts count toward the required minimum distribution for donors 73 and older.
- Life income gifts: Establish a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust to secure income for you or another beneficiary for life. The remainder of your gift transfers to the Arboretum at the death of the last beneficiary. Annuity rates are determined by the age of the beneficiary(ies) when payments begin, while remainder trust rates are based on a fixed percentage of the trust’s value; as the trust’s value changes, so too does the annual income. Contact us to determine which gift could be right for you, based on your age, assets, and risk tolerance, and for sample gift illustrations.
- Lead trusts: Support the Arboretum for a fixed number of years and transfer assets to children or other heirs, or retain them for yourself, while avoiding income and/or estate taxes.
- Donor advised funds: A Harvard Donor Advised Fund allows you to support the Arboretum, other initiatives at Harvard, and additional charities over time while receiving an immediate tax deduction. If you have an existing donor advised fund through another provider, you may recommend grants to the Arboretum or name the Arboretum as the beneficiary of your donor advised fund.
- Gifts of assets: Convert assets like real estate, private company stock, business interests, or art, to a meaningful gift to the Arboretum.
Many donors choose not to specify a purpose for their planned gifts, including bequests, allowing the Arboretum to use their gift where it is needed most. If you prefer to direct your gift to a specific purpose, our team can help you or your attorney craft a plan that reflects your wishes.
For help with bequest language, or to discuss the above gift options and how they can benefit the Arboretum while fulfilling your financial goals, please contact Darcy Foster, Individual Giving Associate, at 617.384.0784, or by email.