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Gift in Your Will or Living Trust

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You want to leave money to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both.

In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift. This type of donation to the BSO in your will or living trust helps ensure that we continue our mission for years to come.

See How It Works

An Example of How It Works

Child looking at trumpetMeet Tom and Martha. When they got married and created a will, they included a $75,000 gift to the BSO. As the family grew to include three children, Tom and Martha decided to revise their gift to ensure their children's future financial security.

They met with their attorney and revised the gift language so that the BSO received a percentage of their estate, instead of a specific amount. Tom and Martha now rest easy knowing their plans will provide for the people and charitable work they love.

Next Steps

  1. Contact Office of Philanthropic Giving at 410-783-8087 or giftplanning@bsomusic.org for additional information on bequests or to chat more about the different options for including the BSO in your will or estate plan.
  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
  3. If you include the BSO in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID. +

    The Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust was established in 2006 as a separate 501(c)(3) organization to manage the endowment for the BSO. You may wish to direct gifts in perpetuity to the Trust, or direct gifts to the BSO for immediate use. Following is federal tax ID information for both organizations:

    Legal Name: Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust
    Tax ID: 77-0659339
    Address: 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore MD 21201

    Legal Name: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
    Tax ID: 52-0629696
    Address: 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore MD 21201

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

I give, devise and bequeath to the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust, a nonprofit corporation of the State of Maryland, located at 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, [_____ % of OR the sum of $_____ from] the residue of my estate.

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the BSO or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the BSO as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the BSO as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the BSO where you agree to make a gift to the BSO and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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