Leave A Legacy

"If you want one year of
prosperity, grow grain.
If you want ten years of
prosperity, grow trees.
If you want one hundred years of
prosperity, grow people."
— Chinese Proverb

Support the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens
If it were not for donations and memberships there would be no Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

Click here to support the Botanic Gardens through a donation

It is quite possible that a gift to the Botanic Gardens can:

· Reduce your income taxes

· Reduce or possibly eliminate capital gains taxes

· Remove assets for your estate and possibly reduce your gift and estate tax

· Provide income for yourself and others

Want to make an instant donation? Simply click on the Donate Now button to the left for a secure credit card donation.

About leaving a legacy . . .     

Attilio & Hedy Bedont donors who created the Rose Garden at the Botanic Gardens

     In 2002 Cheyenne resident, Attilio Bedont, walked into CBG Director, Shane Smith’s office.  Bedont explained that he had no relatives left in Cheyenne and his kids were grown and had moved to other cities. He and his wife Hedy wanted to leave a lasting legacy.

     “Cheyenne has been good to me, and when we pass we want to leave something for the community besides our  gravestones,” said Bedont. He then explained his love for roses.  Through the Bedont’s generosity and desire to give back to the community, the beautiful Bedont Rose Garden was created in August of 2003.  

    In order to continue to maintain and develop the Gardens, “Cheyenne’s Treasure,” as some like to call us, we ask that you consider the Gardens in both lifetime gifts and in planning your estate. Consider a gift to your community and leave a lasting legacy.

WAYS TO GIVE

1. General donation

Simply click here to make a secure credit card donation now. You can also arrange for a donation with our Development Director, Riana Perez by calling 307-637-6458

2. Charitable bequest

Once the needs of your family have been considered, we hope you will consider including the Gardens in your estate plans.  Your attorney should assist you with the wording so your wishes are met.  Even a small amount can have a big impact over time.

        Charitable bequests may also be used to support specific gardens and projects. For example, the Paul Smith Children’s Village received substantial funding through a gift from the Paul Smith Trust. Thanks in-part to this support, this project is a reality.

The late Paul Smith who supported the Gardens throughout his life and left a legacy supporting the Paul Smith Children's Village

3. Appreciated Assets
A gift of appreciated securities such as stocks, mutual funds, bonds or real estate is another option for giving. There are excellent tax advantages if you donate appreciated assets that you have owned for more than one year. An outright gift of long-term appreciated assets may avoid capital gains taxes, and qualifies for a charitable income tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities.

4. Endowed Gift
An endowed gift is permanently invested and the principal is never expended. However the earnings on the principal provides for a gift that generates funds in perpetuity. A gift to the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens endowment not only helps today, but also builds future stability by enabling us to count on this funding on a yearly basis in perpetuity.

5. Gifts of Life Insurance
Many of us have life insurance. Some have had policies for years, and the life insurance is no longer needed for personal or financial reasons. In these cases, there may be an opportunity to make a significant gift to the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

There is a myriad of charitable gift planning techniques that can perpetuate your values and your dedication to the mission of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens on a tax favored basis. Well thought out planned giving may allow you to pass on more of your estate to your children while sustaining the future of the Gardens. Many times people find they are able to give much more than they ever thought possible. In some cases, the tax savings can pay for a substantial part of the gift. Then you get the joy of contributing to your dreams, not paying in tax dollars. Listed here are some of the more common ways to invest in the Gardens through planned giving:

Bequests:  A bequest can be made to the Gardens through your will or revocable living trust. There are several types of bequests that can be discussed with your financial advisor. You may leave a specific dollar amount, specific property or a percentage or the residue of your estate.
Name a Beneficiary:  Designate the Gardens as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, insurance policy, gift annuity, trust, will, securities, or financial accounts.

Our wills and bequests program provides a simple method to make your wishes known. Simply provide a letter to your qualified financial advisor stating your desire to leave a gift for the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. State either “I’d like to give $________ to the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens for (specified or unspecified) use.” Or “I’d like to leave ______% of estate to the Friends of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens for (specified or unspecified) use.” Your financial advisor will take it from there. Sow some seeds now to benefit future generations. Here are some suggested ways and landscapes to which you can contribute.
 

Giving Appreciated Assets: Donate appreciated securities, real estate, personal property, or insurance policies outright. Your gift is transferred to the Gardens while avoiding capital gains taxes and possibly reducing other taxes.
 

The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is not in the business of giving estate and financial planning advice. Each of our supporter’s financial and philanthropic goals are unique. We recommend that you visit with your qualified financial advisor and welcome your ideas for leaving a lasting legacy with the Gardens. Planned giving benefit your current and future tax situations and provide personal satisfaction while securing the future of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, its mission and its volunteers. You can help ensure that future generations will have a place of respite, education, community pride, inspiration, and sheer beauty.
 

For more information on leaving a legacy to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens please contact our Development Director, Riana Perez by calling 307-637-6458