Founded in 1983, New England Wildlife Center is Boston's only humane medical care center for thousands of sick and injured wild animals. However, our ultimate goal is not just to save injured animals, but also to prevent them from being injured. By using the medical process of caring for wild animals as a vehicle for reconnecting people to wildlife and nature, we expect to create fundamental change.

But this will take time.



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And in time the Center's approach to preserving wildlife and habitats in Massachusetts will mean changed behaviors and ultimately a more humane world for our children and our grandchildren.

By joining the Wildlife Legacy Fund you will ensure our ability to bring together people and wild animals in a humane way -- to develop a connection so that more and more people will understand how important preserving wildlife is to our own lives.

How You Can Help

A bequest to the Center through a will can help reduce an estate for federal taxes as well as provide the satisfaction of knowing that you are not only benefiting injured wildlife, but also preserving our wild legacy.

Remember, a will is the only way you can ensure your property will be disposed of as you wish. If you don't already have a will, consult a lawyer and make one now!

We hope you find a place for the Center in your will. After all, we should not leave tomorrow's future up to someone else…New England's wildlife is our continuing responsibility

Deferred gifts that provide current income and flexibility

A bequest by will or living trust preserves your financial security while providing support later to the Center. You can designate to pass your assets in the following ways.

• You can specify an amount.
• You can designate a particular asset.
• You can designate a percentage of your estate.
• You can designate the remainder, or "residue", of your estate after specific gifts to family and friends are made.

By choosing a percentage, you retain total flexibility in managing your assets. If you choose a specific asset you cannot dispose of it and support the Center unless you designate a different asset for the Center. Whatever gift you make is fully deductible for estate tax purposes.

Deferred gifts that provide current tax benefits and income

Charitable Remainder Trusts provide an annual income, either a variable or fixed amount, to you or another income beneficiary, typically for life, together with a current charitable tax deduction. When appreciated assets, typically securities and real estate, are contributed, no capital gains tax is due on the appreciated portion of the current fair market value. At the time designated by you, typically your death, the assets remaining in the Trust are transferred to the Center.

Deferred gifts that provide current tax benefits and future legacies for heirs

Charitable Lead Trusts provide current, annual income, either at a variable or fixed amount, to the Center, together with a current charitable tax deduction. After a period designated by you, the assets in the "trust" are distributed to your heirs. If you do not need additional current income, these trusts provide significant, current support for the Center without "disinheriting" your loved ones.

How the Money Will Be Used

It is hard to predict when and how the Legacy funds might be needed. You can either leave the funds to the Center unrestricted, so they may be used where they are most needed, or you may restrict them to one of the following.

• You may earmark the funds for a Building Endowment, to help us with any upkeep or repairs to our new wildlife hospital and education center.
  
• You may earmark the funds for one of our programs: wildlife medicine, education for children, college students, and people in the field of wildlife biology and medicine, or for research on humane solution to human-wildlife problems.

There are common features of all Wildlife Legacy plans.

• Your gift can be unrestricted, enabling the Center to apply the asset where it is most needed.
• Or your gift can be restricted to a program you favor.
• Your gift can be in cash -- the most common and convenient asset to give, or in securities, another common asset. Other assets include real estate, life insurance, antiques and artwork.

Whatever type of asset you wish to give, and whichever plan you choose, you should always consult with a competent attorney to insure that your personal, tax and charitable goals are met.

Your concern for wildlife and preservation goes far beyond that of the average citizen. Your support of New England Wildlife Center proves it.

If you feel you would like to do more to advance New England Wildlife's work, but may not have the means, there is something you should consider.

Remember New England Wildlife Center in your will.

By doing so you will insure the Center's long-term financial stability and therefore our ability to continue to preserve New England's wild legacy. You can help ensure a place for orphaned, injured and suffering wild animals to go for help in their struggle to be wild.

You can provide a lasting gift that will make a difference for tomorrow.

New England Wildlife Center is a tax-exempt corporation under IRS code section 501 C3. Your bequest is fully deductible against the federal estate tax.

For more information, please contact our deputy director, Katrina Banagis at 781-862-4878