The TREE Fund Report>
|
Click on the link for a PDF copy of past newsletters: |
Leaving Your Legacy: Philanthropy & Estate Planning This is the first in a series of informational articles exploring opportunities for “Planned Giving”. The TREE Fund’s Heritage Oak Society recognizes donors who include the TREE Fund in their estate planning. For more information, contact Janet Bornancin at 630-369-8300 or email Charitable Giving Through Life Insurance The advantages of using life insurance as the instrument to fund a charitable giving plan include:
The federal government has structured income, gift and estate tax laws to encourage you to share your assets with charitable organizations. The tax benefits you may receive include:
Options for Funding Charitable Donations Through Life Insurance There are two common options to consider when making charitable donations through life insurance. Choose the one that best meets your needs:
Estate Planning Needs If you have more sophisticated estate planning needs, charitable giving may be a necessary and valuable component of a comprehensive estate plan. In this case, life insurance in combination with various estate planning instruments can provide you with current income tax deductions and may generate income for you and your family. If you are interested in making a charitable gift through life insurance, consult your insurance representative and tax advisor or attorney for more information. Your generous support of charitable organizations helps them fulfill their missions while providing you with financial benefits. Reprinted with permission from Principal Life Insurance Company. Insurance issued by Principal Life Insurance Company. Securities offered through Princor Financial Services Corporation, 800/247-1737, member SIPC. Principal Life and Princor® are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. Heritage Oak Society Spotlight: Allan West’s life and career path in forestry is well documented, stretching
from the green hills of England to the coast of California. His father owned a hotel in Yorkshire, in northern England, that required a 24/7 work ethic, and holidays were unheard of. West’s father became friends with GIs on leave during World War II who told stories of beautiful weather in a plentiful land across the ocean. After the war, West’s family moved to Toronto, Canada, where he became interested in forestry as a Boy Scout under the tutelage of professional foresters leading the troops. Another move, this time to California, brought West to the University of California at Berkeley to earn his undergraduate and master’s degrees in forestry. While still at Berkeley, then 20-year-old West began a career with the Forest Service that spanned nearly four decades and a spectrum of experiences ranging from research science to land management. In 1979 he moved east to Washington, D.C., where he rose through the ranks to Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry, traveled to high-level meetings around the globe, and was assigned responsibility for developing the Urban and Community Forestry Program through the State Foresters.
During that time West lobbied for creation of an endowment to provide special recognition for major supporters of urban tree research. This led to the founding of the Heritage Oak Society in 2000, and West became a founding member. What most inspired his long love of forestry? The city of York in northern England, where he was born and raised, is well known for the beauty of its trees and gardens as well as its prominence in the history of England and the plays of William Shakespeare. “From early on I’ve had a great passion for trees from my childhood in Yorkshire,” he says. Al West retired from the Forest Service in 1993 after serving for 38 years. Ever active, he currently serves on nine separate boards, including his local Rotary, church and water boards and the Southern California Fire Council. He also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the TREE Fund. - § - |
On retirement in 1993 he was immediately offered a position on the ISA Research Trust Board (forerunner of the TREE Fund) and would serve as TREE Fund president from 2001-2008. 