Where There's a Will, There's a Way

JOIN THE BIG CAT RESCUE LEGACY SOCIETY

On behalf of the cats we would like to express our heart felt thanks to the following supporters who have advised us that they have made provisions for the cats in their estate planning:

Anonymous (26)

Heather Achey

Jean & Peter Albini

The Marianna P. Allgauer Family Living Trust

Albert Leonard Amodeo*

Bob Anderson

Chuck & Lisa Andrus

Carol Baier

Shelly Barbanica

Candace Barbara

Carole Baskin

Howard Baskin

Janet Baumann*

Daniela Behringer

Michelle Black

Gregory & Susan

Cynthia Boatright

Christine Bohner

Ebe Bower

Eugene Bowman*

Constance Brady*

Sheila Brase

Natasha Brenner

Susan K Brown*

Randell Burton

Karla Carey

Linda B. Cassaly*

Marjorie Champion

Laurie Cillo

Virginia Clark

Robert & Susan Cochran

Danielle Cole

Marie Collart

Cathleen M. Conway*

Hugh Don Corwin Jr.

Maggie & Jim Cox

Mindy Cox

Bonnie-Jean Creais

Joan & Richard Czeck

Mary Ann D'Agostino

Thomas Daly*

Elena Damien

Lynne Daub

Amy Davis

Kate Deregibus

Susy d'Hont

Beverly Diehl

Carole Doherty

R Stephen Dorsey

Susan Dragieff

Paula Drechsler

Elaine Dunlap

Loretta Duska

Dorothy I. Edwards*

April Etheridge*

Fran Ezer

Mary Farri

Lona Feingersh*

Mary Ferramosca

Claudette M. Ferree*

Ira Fischer

Patricia Francis

David & Kathy French

Hester Fuller

Amelia Fusaro

Lynn W. Gallagher*

Dawn Ging

Barry & Carol Green

Mit Grimes*

Edward & Margaret Haan

Richard B. Hall*

Linda Harris

Teresa Hart

Patricia Hazelton

Diane Homa

Natalie Hosp

Janet Houston

"Hunter"

Peter W. Jasin*

Louise Jennings

Toni M. Johnson

Marilyn Julian

Mary Margaret Kalal*

Gail Keeler

Carol Klinger & Bill Loggins

Robert Kovac*

William Kuni

"Tiger Claw" LaFever

Elfriede H. Lehn*

Fran Letson

Susan Lewis

John M. Lex

Lynda Licht

Imara Wisdom Light

John E. Lovell

David H. Lytle

Kim Mahoney

Linda Mauger-Harnish

Jean Matusinka*

June Mayeda*

Candice McClain*

Kathy McDaniel

Martha June Melville*

Terri Mimbs

Marcella Mirande-Ketcham

April Mongomery*

Claire Mooers*

Jeffory & Maria Moore

Mary Nall

Cecilia Nelson

Paige Noland*

Terry Nordblom*

David G. Nugent

Barbara Orloff

Diana & Michael O'Shaughnessy

Pat O’Shea

Ted L. Pal*

Jane Pappone

Thomas Peele*

Betsy Pheil*

Ralph Philbrook*

Mark Pine*

Pamela Pipe

Carole & Michael Piper

Dennis Polivka*

Rose Prim

Karen & Jay Quinn

Sondra Resnikoff

Maureen Rita Reuss

Marjorie Rhodes*

Thomas S. Richards

Denise Richman*

Nancy Rodgers

Pamela Rodriguez

S.L. Roeder

Bernice Sabo

Tracey & Paul Sadiq

Steven Salomons

Carol Sandstrom

Thomas J Sekely

Robert Shepard

Alexia Sherman

Veronika Silvani

Martha J. Simms*

Melanie Vass Simon

Andy Sirna

JR Smalarz*

Diane Smith

Morgan Jane Smith

Annamarie Smoyer

Skyler Sousa

Arlene Spencer

Gina Steffani and Brian Byerlay

Dr. Elizabeth S. Stewart & John H. Stewart

Viv Taylor

Faynetta Thompson*

Lauren Topelsohn

Victoria Ann Towne*

Starla Trivilino

Pauline Trusty

Monnie Turley

Ken Turnbull

Robin Tyler

Theresa Ullum*

Renee Vance

John A. Varnado

Michael E. Vines*

Lynne and Todd Waymon

Patricia Webber*

Margaret Welke*

Karen Wells

Ron & Joy Wentworth

Carol Wettersten

Jody White

Muriel Jo White*

Susan Wilcox

Odette Wilkins

Brandy Williams

Robert C. Williams*

Marilyn & Hal Worthington

Mary Yang

Angel & JR Yasgur*

* Deceased

Updated 6/29/2022

To Join the list of Big Cat Legacy Members contact Howard.Baskin@BigCatRescue.org

EASY WAY TO MAKE A WILL

By Howard Baskin

Making a will is something many people procrastinate about and never do for a number of reasons. We tend to not want to think about our inevitable eventual death. We also think, erroneously, that we have to hire an attorney, or think we don’t have enough assets to be worth bothering about.

But having at least a simple will is a critical way to create the legacy you would want for the people and/or causes you care about. Without one, you can create a nightmare for anyone trying to settle your affairs and your assets are distributed as the law dictates, not how you want. Any nonprofit causes you care about are left out because the law does not provide for them.

Why are we posting this? Because over 50 bequests, ranging from small ones to large ones, from supporters who have passed away over the years have been a critical part of insuring that Big Cat Rescue can meet its commitment to the cats in our care. Many bequests we have received are from people who could not donate during their lifetimes because they were not sure their assets would last as long as they needed them to but were able to leave a personal legacy for the cats after they passed in a way they could not during their lives.

Our Legacy Society now has over 200 names of people who have made providing for the cats after they pass a part of their personal legacy. Please consider joining them, but whether you do or not, please do make sure you have at least a simple will so whatever assets you do leave go to the people or causes you care about.

Do You Have the Will to Shape Our Future?

"What is the use of living, if it not be to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?" - Winston Churchill

By including a gift to Big Cat Rescue in your will you are demonstrating your concern for the ongoing care of our cats; in addition to protecting the future of our public education programs to prevent abuse of these lovely animals.

A bequest to Big Cat Rescue means you can make a planned gift, while ensuring your loved ones are provided for. Bequests come from all corners of our supporter groups and are not necessarily left by the very wealthy, but by people who want to support the cats and the causes of Big Cat Rescue. Some examples: Bequest an IRA retirement asset, an Insurance Policy, a gift of a percentage of your estate, and/or the gift of a specific dollar amount stated in your will.

Oftentimes supporters cannot afford to give as generously through their lifetime as they would like. Leaving a bequest is a great opportunity to support the vital work of Big Cat Rescue without hindering your finances during your lifetime. All bequests, regardless of the size, will be gratefully received.

People want to provide for family and loved ones in a way that reflects the relations they had during their lifetime. Similarly, they often want to help ensure that the charitable causes that were important to them continue to receive support after they are gone. It’s comforting to know that even though we have passed on, the animals for whom we cared so much about, will still receive the benefits of our lifelong work and enduring compassion.

Questions to consider before speaking to a professional adviser:

What have I got to leave?

If you own your own home, how much is it worth? Have you any savings or investments? Valuables? Jewelry?

Who do I want to help?

Of course you must make provisions for your family and friends first. Make a list of their full names and addresses for your advisor.

Which causes are important to you?

If you know them, make a note of their official charity name, address, and registered charity number to give to your advisor. If you love the Big Cats this is the information your advisor will need: Big Cat Rescue Corp. a 501 c 3 Charity FEIN# 59-3330495 Address: 17342 Gunn Highway Odessa, FL 33556 813-493-4564 Info@bigcatrescue.org

Your accountant or attorney can provide additional information on gift opportunities and which method would be the most beneficial for you and your family. This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal or financial advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice.

We are an organization fortunate enough to have an unusually loyal and committed group of members. These good people provide the financial, material, and volunteer services that allow us to care for the many animals in our care. These same members often talk to us about including Big Cat Rescue in their will as they plan for the time after they are gone.

Typically, the support you provide Big Cat Rescue comes out of your annual income. The disposition of your estate following your death is a much more thought provoking matter. People want to provide for family and loved ones in a way that reflects the relations they had when they were alive. Similarly, they often want to help ensure that those charitable causes that were important to them receive support after they are gone. It's a nice thing to imagine that even though we have passed on, the animals for whom we cared so much before will still receive the benefits of our lifelong work and enduring compassion. It is also humbling and very moving to us at Big Cat Rescue when these kinds of gifts arrive. They are a strong statement about the giver's values and aspirations as well as an affirmation of their commitment to animals and their confidence that we will reliably continue to carry out that commitment as we translate their posthumous support into hands-on animal care.

Thank you for remembering wildlife as you prepare your will and for thinking about Big Cat Rescue as the continuing vehicle for that memory. Let us know that you have made arrangements for the animals and we will add your name to our Legacy Society.

Your Will

One of the simplest ways to make a planned gift without even changing your will is through a codicil, which is a separate document that is like an addition or amendment to your will. The links below contain Sample Codicil Forms applicable in Florida, one worded for a male donor (Testator), one for a female donor (Testatrix). The forms are provided only as samples to acquaint you with them, they are not intended as legal or tax advice. It is highly advisable to consult with a qualified financial advisor and/or attorney to do your planned giving.

Codicil Form - Female Donor Codicil Form - Male Donor

Another is simply to name a charity as beneficiary on a brokerage account or insurance policy.

Contact Howard.Baskin@BigCatRescue.org for Information about Wills and Bequests.

Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, all Big Cat Rescue programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift to Big Cat Rescue helps to ensure the future of the services and programs we provide in your community and worldwide and may further your financial goals.

What are planned gifts… Planned gifts include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, gifts of life insurance, pooled income funds, and charitable trusts.

Bequest

Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming Big Cat Rescue as a beneficiary in their wills.

Bequests in your Will

Many people who give to charity choose to leave something behind to their favorite cause when they pass away. Not only does this create a fitting legacy, it also passes on some excellent tax advantages to your estate.

Making a Will is the only way you can be sure that your wishes will be followed after you die. If you don’t make one, part or all of your estate may go to people who you never intended to benefit. Not only that, Inheritance taxes and attorney fees could take a substantial part of what you leave behind. (Up to 60%)

Providing a stated bequest to Big Cat Rescue – listing us as a beneficiary in your will - is probably the simplest method and provides a charitable tax deduction.

Please consider the following opportunities of bequests…

Specific Bequest

A “specific bequest” is one whereby the Will provides Big Cat Rescue with a specific sum of money or specific percentage of money, a specific item of property (such as land or personal property), or a defined type of property such as stocks or collections.

Example Specific Bequest Will language:

“I hereby bequeath to Big Cat Rescue Corp., P.O. Box 260429 Tampa, FL 33685, the sum of $_____ (and/or the following described property_____).”

Residual or Remainder Bequest

Residual Bequest is the will providing all that remains after payment of debts of the estate (such as administrative and or funeral expenses) is provided to Big Cat Rescue.

Example Residual Bequest Will language:

“I hereby bequeath all (or ____ percent) of my residuary estate to Big Cat Rescue Corp., P.O. Box 260429 Tampa, FL 33685.”

Contingent Bequest

A Contingent Bequest can ensure that if circumstances make it impossible to carry out your original Will requests – such as when you survive your spouse or other heirs – your assets will then be passed to Big Cat Rescue rather than to unintended beneficiaries. Childless couples often provide for the entire estate to go to the surviving spouse; if the spouse does not survive you, Big Cat Rescue becomes the primary beneficiary.

Example Contingent Bequest Will language:

“I bequeath to my brother John Doe the sum of $_____ and, in the event he shall predecease me, I direct this sum to be paid to Big Cat Rescue Corp., P.O. Box 260429 Tampa, FL 33685.”

When you are a planned gift donor, Big Cat Rescue will honor you with membership in the Legacy Society. We realize that with your special gift, you consider us to be part of your family, and we want to do our best to keep you informed as to how your gift will be used and to give you the opportunity to tell us of your wishes.A gift by bequest offers a practical way to provide substantial support to Big Cat Rescue is not subject to federal or state estate or inheritance taxes, and there is no limit on the allowable deduction.

Life Income Gift

You irrevocably transfer some assets to Big Cat Rescue now, and in return, you (and a survivor, if you wish) receive income for life.

Perhaps you would like to make a substantial gift to Big Cat Rescue but feel unable to do so because you need the income for retirement or to provide for someone who depends on you.

A ‘Life Income Gift’ provides you the satisfaction of making a meaningful lifetime gift without sacrifice.

A life income gift allows you to transfer assets now, and yet continue to receive income from the cash, stock, or other properties contributed. Besides knowing the good work your gift will do, benefits of a life income gift provide you with:

Increase your income for life;

Receive a generous charitable contribution deduction; and

If you contribute stock, avoid any capital gains tax on the appreciation.

A life income gift may be particularly attractive if you have low-yielding assets, yet the same are highly appreciated — for instance a stock paying little or no dividends, but is now worth much more than you paid for it. By using the stock to fund a life income gift to Big Cat Rescue instead of selling it yourself, you can avoid or greatly reduce capital gains taxes and increase your spendable income.

Examples of Life Income Plans
Charitable Remainder Trusts

A Charitable Remainder Trust is an irrevocable trust into which you move cash, securities or property, reserving all or a part of the income from the invested asset for life – your life and /or that of a loved one, or for a fixed term of years. When the trust ends, the assets remaining pass to Big Cat Rescue.

Income from the trust may either be paid in the form of a fixed dollar amount (annuity trust) or a fixed percentage of the asset held in the trust (unitrust).

Charitable Remainder Trusts may be set up for either a fixed term of years or for life. In addition, they may be set up for up to two beneficiaries.

For example:

Jane and John Doe want to make gifts to their two grandchildren to help pay for their college tuitions and contribute to their income during the first years of work. Since they are financially comfortable and willing to irrevocably set aside a sum to accomplish this purpose, their financial advisor suggested a fixed term annuity trust for eight years.

Jane and John created a charitable remainder annuity trust funded with $100,000 of appreciated stock (without incurring a capital gains tax). The trust was invested conservatively to earn 7% while paying the grandchildren a total of $8,000 per year. Their financial advisor prepared the following chart to demonstrate how the Trust will work.

Year End	Trust Value	Cumulative Pay Out
Year 1	$99,000	$8,000
Year 2	$97,930	$16,000
Year 3	$96,785	$24,000
Year 4	$95,560	$32,000
Year 5	$94,249	$40,000
Year 6	$92,846	$48,000
Year 7	$91,345	$56,000
Year 8	$89,739	$64,000

At the end of eight years, the grandchildren will have received $64,000 in annuity payments, and the charity would receive the principle – more than $89,000.

The charitable remainder annuity trust pays you a fixed dollar amount annually for life. The fixed payments are determined by the payout percentage selected at the beginning of the trust. You can claim a charitable deduction on your income tax form the year that you create the trust. The payments you receive are taxed as ordinary income, and in some cases as capital gain or tax-free return of principal.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust

The charitable remainder unitrust pays you a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets, as revalued each year. Like the annuity trust, you can claim a charitable deduction on your income tax form the year that you create the trust. The payments you receive are taxed as ordinary income, and in some cases as capital gain or tax-free return of principal.

For example:

Mr. Edwards irrevocably transfers $100,000 to create a charitable remainder unitrust that will provide him with life income payments. The trust agreement provides that he will receive 6 percent of the fair market value of the assets each year. The first year he receives $6,000 (100,000 x 6%). One year later the trust assets are valued at $120,000, so he is paid $7,200 ($120,000 x 6%). If the trust assets are worth $110,000 at the beginning of the next year, he will receive $6,600 ($110,000 x 6%). And so on each year. If trust income exceeds the stated payout percentage, the excess is added to the unitrust assets and reinvested.

Life income gifts such as those described here can increase your rate of return considerably for the rest of your life and give you an abundant current income tax deduction as well. This type of gift is a solid way to increase your spendable income without going to risky or speculative investments, and will give you the benefit of a tax deduction not available through other types of transactions. At the same time you will be making a valuable donation that will support Big Cat Rescue’s work into the future.

When you are a life income donor, Big Cat Rescue will honor you with membership in the Legacy Society. We realize that with your special gift, you consider us to be part of your family, and we want to do our best to keep you informed as to how your gift will be used and to give you the opportunity to tell us of your wishes.

You can start helping right now with a tax deductible donation!

Gift of Life Insurance

Making a gift of life insurance offers a number of important benefits; Big Cat Rescue receives the life insurance benefit; a gift of life insurance is fixed, and it’s a simple way for you to provide us with a significant gift and establish your legacy. A gift of life insurance can also offer immediate tax savings and ensures that your entire estate passes directly to your heirs.

Some of our supporters no longer need their life insurance that was purchased years ago to provide for children or other family members. If that is your situation, please consider donating the policy to Big Cat Rescue. You may claim a charitable deduction for approximately the policy's cash surrender value, and the proceeds are completely removed from your estate.

Pooled Income Fund

Pooled Income Funds are one of the most efficient charitable planning tools available today. They deliver many benefits to the donor while greatly simplifying the charitable giving process. Your gift of money, marketable securities, or both to Big Cat Rescue's pooled income fund is invested together with similar gifts from other supporters. Each year, you receive your share, which is taxable as ordinary income, of the fund's earning.

For example, Mr. Simon's $10,000 life income gift is invested in our pooled income fund. The fund's net income is 6 percent this year, so he receives $600--his share of the annual earnings. Each year, Mr. Simon's payment will reflect any increase or decrease in the fund's net income.

Pooled Income Funds are one of the most efficient charitable planning tools available today. Pooled income funds are especially appropriate for individuals who have need for a good income but do not have substantial capital, and for those with substantial assets who cannot afford a reduction of income if the assets were depleted. Similar to mutual funds, pooled income funds are trust funds into which donors contributions are pooled and invested.

Pooled Income Funds allow you to make a charitable gift today, earn an income for life, avoid capital gains, support Big Cat Rescue and get an immediate tax deduction.

Charitable Lead Trust

Individuals with very large estates can use a charitable lead trust to benefit Big Cat Rescue and pass principal to family members with little or no tax penalty.

Example

The Smiths decide to place $10 million in assets into a Charitable Lead Trust. They also decide that Big Cat Rescue is to receive 5 percent for 25 years. The results are as follows:

Provide Big Cat Rescue with an annual gift of $500,000 or $12.5 million over 25 years.

Minimize the estate tax.

Minimize the generation skipping tax.

Pass along the full $10 million gift to the grandchildren plus the growth on the assets in the trust over and above the 5 percent paid out to Big Cat Rescue.

Charitable Lead Trusts are complex, but they are also highly flexible and can be extremely effective. With a charitable lead trust, you are giving Big Cat Rescue the income from the asset and not the asset itself. By taking the time to plan your charitable gifts, you may be able to take advantage of some special tax benefits and make charitable giving a real win-win situation.

Gifts of Retirement Plans

Retirement funds can be among the best assets to use for a charitable gift. Many individuals today have large qualified retirement plans such as an IRA, 401(k), or Keogh plans. These assets have been growing tax-free for years. Once the owner begins to receive payments from the qualified plans, the distributions are taxed. The plans are also included in the owner's taxable estate. Retirement plans, including pension, 401k, IRA, Keogh, 403(B), are often subject to extremely high tax rates that result in an "involuntary gift" to the federal government.

Designation of your retirement plan to Big Cat Rescue allows the donor to save considerable tax consequences for their children or other retirement fund beneficiaries. Unfortunately, many retirement plan owners do not give much thought to what happens to the funds after they have passed away. In some cases, giving away retirement funds can actually increase the amount of funds available to beneficiaries.

One way to make a gift of your retirement plan is to create a charitable remainder trust through your will. It works like this: Your IRA assets will be transferred to a charitable remainder trust. There is no tax due because the charitable remainder trust is a tax-exempt entity. The trust will provide life income to the beneficiary (for example, your child) with an eventual gift to Big Cat Rescue. The beneficiary will pay income tax on the distributions from the trust. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of Big Cat Rescue's right to eventually receive the trust assets.

https://youtu.be/ENPfsgFIq0A

You can start making a difference today!

You can start helping right now with a tax deductible donation!