An excellent way for you to support the mission of the Montecito Trails Foundation is to leave us a bequest in your will, living trust or with a codicil. One significant benefit of making a gift by bequest is that it allows you to continue to use the property you will leave to charity during your life. Another benefit is that you are able to leave a lasting legacy.

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When you notify us of your bequest (please see below), you automatically are enrolled in our Legacy Society which honors those who share our commitment to the health and safety of our beloved trails. As a member of the Legacy Society, you’ll have access to special events and will receive updates on our programs through our newsletters and Annual Report. 

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Types of Bequests

There are a number of ways you can make a bequest to MTF.
 

Specific Bequest: A specific bequest involves making a gift of a specific asset such as real estate, a car, other property or a gift for a specific dollar amount.

Percentage Bequest: Another kind of specific bequest involves leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate to charity.

Residual Bequest: A residual bequest is made from the balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific bequests. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate to charity.

Contingent Bequest: A contingent bequest is made to charity only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met.
 

Bequest Benefits

A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.
 

Bequest Language

In order to make a bequest, you should speak with your attorney. Your attorney can help you include a bequest to Montecito Trials Foundation in your estate plan. We have provided some basic bequest language to assist you and your attorney.

Specific Bequest: If you are considering making an outright bequest to United Way, we recommend the following language:
 

Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount

I hereby give, devise and bequeath AMOUNT and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Personal Property

I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.

Bequest of Specific Real Estate

I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.

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Percentage Bequest:

If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to Montecito Trails Foundation, we recommend the following language:
 

I hereby give, devise and bequeath PERCENT (PERCENT%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.
 

Residual Bequest:
 

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.
 

Contingent Bequest:
 

If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to Montecito Trails Foundation, a nonprofit organization, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Barbara, CA 93150-5481, Federal Tax ID #95-6152328, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for Montecito Trails Foundation's general use and purpose.
 

Restricted Bequests

If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.

If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give Montecito Trails Foundation flexibility should it no longer be possible for our Montecito Trails Foundation to use your gift as you originally intended:
 

If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of Montecito Trails Foundation, it shall become impossible for Montecito Trails Foundation to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, Montecito Trails Foundation may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of your bequest.
 

Contact Us

Please contact us at mtf@montecitotrails.org or (805) 969-3514 if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to Montecito Trails Foundation or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us.

If you have included a bequest for Montecito Trails Foundation in your estate plan, please contact us to let us know. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift.  You may also use the form below to notify us of your intent.

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