Named in honor of former PEC board member and Piedmont Foundation President Bill Backer, the Bill Backer Legacy Society recognizes generous individuals who have included PEC in their estate planning, through provisions in their will or another form of deferred gift.
Designating The Piedmont Environmental Council as a beneficiary in your will, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan or other estate planning documents enables PEC to continue its work to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Legacy gifts are accessible to everyone and can enable donors to leave a larger gift in their will than they might be able to give during their lifetime.
By informing PEC of your commitment to a planned gift, you’ll be recognized as a member of the Bill Backer Legacy Society. Members have the opportunity to be publicly acknowledged in our annual report. By choosing to be listed in our Annual Report, your generosity and dedication to the future of the Piedmont could inspire others to support PEC with a legacy gift of their own.
If you have already included PEC in your estate plans, please let us know. We’d like to thank you and recognize you for your commitment to protecting and conserving the Piedmont.
Ways to Give
The Piedmont Environmental Council recommends that you consult with your lawyer, tax or financial advisor about how to make a planned gift to PEC that supports your financial goals and circumstances. Some tools that our donors have used before include:
Bequest
A bequest is when an individual or household includes PEC in their will or living trust. Bequests of cash, securities, property or a percentage of your estate are ways to provide support for PEC.
If you wish to name The Piedmont Environmental Council in your will or estate plan, please name us as “The Piedmont Environmental Council, a charitable organization organized under Virginia law, now maintaining its headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia. Tax ID #54-0935569”.
Retirement Accounts
PEC may be named the beneficiary of a variety of retirement accounts by completing a beneficiary designation form online or by mail through your plan administrator. Significant income or estate tax savings can be a benefit of designating PEC as a beneficiary of your retirement plan.
Life Insurance
Naming PEC as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is a low-cost way to make a planned gift to PEC. Premiums paid after gifting the policy can enable you to receive an income tax charitable deduction when the premium is paid.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)
A Charitable Remainder Unitrust is a tax-exempt vehicle that generates income and provides a charitable donation to PEC. A donor can name a beneficiary to receive annual income from the trust, the remainder of which transfers to PEC when the terms are complete.
Charitable Lead Trust
A Charitable Lead Trust is an irrevocable trust established to provide annual income to PEC for a period of time. Once the terms are complete, the remaining assets will go to family members or other beneficiaries.
Questions?
If you are considering making a planned gift to the Piedmont Environmental Council, or if you have any questions, please contact Nora Seilheimer at nseilheimer@pecva.org or (434) 977-2033 x7008.
All requests for anonymity will be honored and all inquiries are confidential with no obligation. If you wish to designate your gift to a certain project or program area, please contact us to ensure we are able to honor your wishes.