Some of the most significant gifts made in support of New England Wild Flower Society have been through bequests in wills or estate plans. Bequests will endow the Society’s work in the future. 

Making a provision for New England Wild Flower Society in your will allows you to make a significant and meaningful gift today, while preserving your assets during your lifetime. 

Today's federal estate tax laws favor testamentary gifts. With the potential for combined federal and state estate death tax rates to reduce significantly the size of an estate, a testamentary gift can be a desirable way to support the Society’s important work and reduce or avoid estate taxes.

A bequest may provide for a specific dollar gift, a percentage of your estate, or specific asset(s) to be given to the Society in support of its various programs and endeavors. A bequest may also be in the form of a gift of the remaining assets of one's estate. Bequests, like other gifts, can be designated for many purposes or given without restriction. To view sample bequest language, see below.   

Recommended Bequest Language - Unrestricted

“I bequeath to the New England Wild Flower Society, Inc., a charitable corporation established by the law at Framingham in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (insert here the amount in dollars, percentage of estate, complete description of the securities, real estate or property), the principal to be added to the endowed funds of the Society, and the net income therefrom, and such portion of the gains as determined by the Trustees, to be used for the general purposes of the Society.”

Restricted bequests instruct the New Wild Flower Society to use the bequest for a specific program area. 

Recommended Bequest Language – Restricted

“I bequeath to the New England Wild Flower Society, Inc., a charitable corporation established by the law at Framingham in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (insert here the amount in dollars, percentage of estate, complete description of the securities, real estate or property), to be known as the ….Fund, the principal to be added to the endowed funds of the Society, and the net income therefrom, and such portion of the gains as determined by the Trustees, to be used to (insert here how you wish the income to be used. For example: Internship Program in Horticulture, Conservation, or Education; to maintain the Garden in the Woods,  the Sanctuaries or Nasami Farm & Nursery; to support the Library; or to further instruction in a particular field of education, etc.)  If, in the succeeding years, circumstances have changed sufficiently in the opinion of the Board of Trustees to make it impractical to continue using the funds for the above purpose or purposes which, in the opinion of the Trustees, will then most nearly carry out my wishes as stated above."

Please note that this is general information and is not presented as specific legal or tax advice. You should consult with your attorney for such advice.

Please consult with the Society before making a provision in your will to assure that your wishes can be implemented as you desire. 

For more information on Legacy Planning, contact Dianne Butt, Director of Development, at 508-877-7630, ext. 3104 or email dbutt@newenglandWILD.org, or download and mail the Gift and Legacy Planning form to:

Gift and Legacy Planning

New England Wild Flower Society

180 Hemenway Road

Framingham, MA  01701