Leaving a Legacy of Liberty
“Esse Quam Videri” North Carolina’s State Motto means “To be rather than to seem”
This simple yet insightful passage speaks to the impact of acting today to preserve the ideals and institutions that benefit future generations. By including the Civitas Institute in your will or estate plan, you help ensure that there is a strong, clear voice in North Carolina to speak for free enterprise and individual liberty for years to come.
You also will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that your hard-earned assets will be used in support of the values you cherished during your lifetime – those of liberty, self-reliance and limited, accountable government.
As a legacy donor to the Civitas Institute, you become a member of the “Esse Quam Videri Society”, a growing family of generous individuals who are committed to liberty.
There are many ways to include the Civitas Institute in your will, living trust, or life insurance policy, as described below. We recommend you consult your tax adviser and/or attorney to determine what options are best fitted for you.
If you would like to discuss these options further, please call our office at 919-747-8066 and ask to speak with our Legacy Adviser, or send an email to LegacySociety@nccivitas.org.
Ways to Give
Will or Living Trust
You can donate to the Civitas Institute through your will or living trust. A bequest of your assets also brings a tax benefit to your family, as your estate is entitled to an “estate tax charitable deduction” for the full value of your bequest.
It’s simple, and it may not require a revision of your entire will, although we always recommend reviewing your will with your attorney at regular intervals.
A simple codicil may be added with wording such as:
“I direct my personal representative to make the following charitable contribution from my property. Such contribution may be made either in cash or marketable securities at the election of my personal representative:
The sum of __________________ to the Civitas Institute, of Raleigh, North Carolina, (IRS Tax ID __-_______), provided that this charity is still in existence at my death, qualifies for a charitable tax deduction, and is following its original mission as a free market public policy research organization, to advance individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited, accountable government. If there is any dispute as to whether this foundation is continuing to follow its original mission, that determination shall be made by my personal representative at his or her sole discretion.”
Life Insurance or Retirement Plan Gift
You can designate the Civitas Institute as a charitable beneficiary of your life insurance policy or qualified retirement plan such as an IRA.
Appreciated Securities
You transfer appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares you have owned for more than one year to the Civitas Institute. Civitas sells your securities and uses the proceeds for our programs.
Talk with your Accountant and Attorney
In all cases, we encourage members to consult with their own accountants or attorneys on estate plans. We can assist in discussing the benefits of such gifts with families to help them understand the details.
Recognition
If you name the Civitas Institute as a beneficiary in your estate plan, we hope you will let us know. Not only does this help with our planning, but it means we can say thank you and offer you the recognition you deserve.
Thank you again. For more information about planned giving, please feel free to contact us at 919-747-8066 and ask for our Legacy Advisor or LegacySociety@nccivitas.org.
