Gift Planning Corner

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Charitable Remainder Trusts

“Known for protecting the natural world – we also may provide financial benefits for you as well.”

Portrait of TNC's Acting Director of Gift Planning, Susan Gutchess, at the Worldwide Office in Arlington, VA. © Erika Nortemann/TNC

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Posted by Susan Gutchess, Acting Director of Gift Planning

A charitable remainder trust is a tool that allows a donor or another beneficiary to receive income for a set period of time. At the termination of the trust, the remainder is left to a charity. The Conservancy is known for protecting the natural world – but we also help protect charitable investments.

One of the key steps in setting up a trust is selecting a trustee who is responsible for overseeing the investments, ensuring that income payments are received and taking care of taxes and other administrative issues. An individual, financial institution or charity such as the Conservancy can serve as trustee.

With the help of our service providers, Kaspick & Company and State Street Bank, the Conservancy has a track record of strong investment returns. Some of our managed trusts have had average annual net returns of 6.0 percent over the past 10 years (This is 2.2% above the benchmark for this group of trusts). Trust donors, who are also members of our Legacy Club, enjoy no longer having the burden and responsibility of managing their charitable remainder trusts.

Other benefits of naming the Conservancy as trustee include:

Timely payments and distribution of annual tax statements
Continuity of trusteeship
No administrative burden — The Nature Conservancy assumes all investment and administration
Shared interest in the success of the trust

If you are considering establishing a charitable remainder trust, or if you would like to discuss the possibility of the Conservancy assuming trusteeship, members of our Gift Planning staff would be happy to work with you.