Legacy Giving

Red Oak Society

The work of New Jersey Conservation Foundation is made possible through the generous support of individuals and families who share our commitment to preserving land and natural resources.

The Red Oak Society, our planned giving circle, is named for New Jersey’s state tree – a symbol of strength, dignity and longevity. By becoming a member, you can demonstrate a commitment to preserving and protecting New Jersey land.Planned gifts provide the financial resources we need to acquire land and maintain long-term stewardship efforts. Donors use many different philanthropic approaches.

Red Oak Society Logo

Available gift planning strategies include:

  • Outright gifts of cash, securities and real estate,
  • Giving through your will or living trust,
  • Giving through IRAs, qualified retirement plans, insurance and donor-advised funds,
  • Gifts that provide income (charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, etc.),
  • Gifts of conservation easements.

While it is not necessary to advise us in advance that you have included New Jersey Conservation Foundation in your estate planning, we encourage donors to apprise us of their plans so that we may learn more about your interest in conservation. If you would prefer that your gift is directed to a designated region or project, please contact us.

Please consider becoming a member of the Red Oak Society. New Jersey Conservation Foundation welcomes the opportunity to consult with you and your estate planning advisors about your charitable objectives.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Erica Colace, Development Manager at 908-997-0727 or ecolace@njconservation.org

Giving Through Your Will or Living Trust

A bequest to New Jersey Conservation Foundation helps support the future of our organization, ensuring our continued ability to preserve land throughout the state. A bequest can also offer tax advantages to the donor and his or her heirs, because a charitable bequest is 100 percent deductible from a taxable estate.

There are many ways to leave a bequest to New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

A specific bequest directs to New Jersey Conservation Foundation a specific dollar amount or particular assets, such as securities, real estate, artworks or other tangible personal property. Through a residuary bequest, New Jersey Conservation Foundation receives all or a percentage of the remainder of the estate after specific amounts bequeathed to other beneficiaries have been distributed and other estate-related expenses have been paid.

With a revocable living trust, a donor can name New Jersey Conservation Foundation a beneficiary of assets remaining in the trust after the lifetime of one or more individuals. As with a will, New Jersey Conservation Foundation can be designated to receive all or a portion of the trust’s remaining assets.

If you have an existing will, your attorney can prepare a codicil that modifies and clarifies your intention to bequeath funds to New Jersey Conservation Foundation. If you have an existing revocable trust, your attorney can prepare an amendment that allows you to change or qualify its terms.

To make a bequest:

Consult with your attorney to add the proposed language to your will, codicil or trust amendment:

I give, devise and bequeath to New Jersey Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit New Jersey corporation, with principal business address of 170 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931, the sum of _______ [or otherwise describe the gift or assets] for general purposes and use at the discretion of New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s board of trustees. New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s tax identification number is 22-6065456.

This information is for illustration purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Consult your attorney or accountant for the best-planned giving approach for your needs and interests.

Leaving a bequest to New Jersey Conservation Foundation is an honor that will help us maintain our natural resources.

New Jersey is an amazing place, and we want to keep it that way.


Join us in protecting our state’s land and natural resources, then explore our preserves throughout the Garden State.

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