You can support the Red Cedar Zen Community’s long-term financial vitality by including us in your estate planning. Giving in this way leaves a wonderful and valuable legacy for future generations, and helps the Red Cedar Zen Community develop solid and sustainable programs for years to come. It’s easier than you think, and may also provide excellent benefits for you and/or your family at tax time.

See below for more information, and don't hesitate to contact us.

Bequests

Consider including the Red Cedar Zen Community in your will, living trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Doing so is very easy, and it ensures that your generosity will continue in perpetuity, supporting a dynamic institution dedicated to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion and the flowering of Zoketsu Norman Fischer's lineage.

Naming the Red Cedar Zen Community as a beneficiary in a life insurance or retirement plan costs you nothing in your lifetime and can help reduce the tax burden on your estate. Your lawyer or financial adviser should be able to give you the information on how to do so.

Giving to the Red Cedar Zen Community in a will or trust is also fairly simple provided specific language is used. Here is some sample language; however, a lawyer should always be consulted before making any bequests:

Give a percentage

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Red Cedar Zen Community (Tax ID #26-0387536), located in Bellingham, Washington, ______% of my estate to be used for charitable purposes.”

Give a specific dollar amount

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Red Cedar Zen Community (Tax ID #26-0387536), located in Bellingham, Washington, $_______ to be used for charitable purposes.”

Give a residue

A residue is what assets remain after other bequests have been granted.

“All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise, and bequeath to the Red Cedar Zen Community (Tax ID #26-0387536), located in Bellingham, Washington, to be used for its charitable purposes.”

Please let us know that you are interested in these options for planned giving.

Appreciated Assets/Stock Transfer

You can avoid the capital gains tax you might incur from the sale of an appreciated asset (such as stock) by donating the asset to the Red Cedar Zen Community. You will also receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the asset. Please contact us and let us know if you are interested in making an appreciated asset transfer.

Matching Gifts

Many companies have matching gift programs that could increase the value of your donation to the Red Cedar Zen Community. We encourage you to check with your personnel department for the matching-gift form. Please contact us for more information.