LEAF Legacy Program

Green industry professionals who want to make a lasting impact on the future of their industry are encouraged to establish a Legacy Fund with CLCA’s Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF).

 

The Benefits of a Legacy Fund

Many donors find their philanthropic wishes can be met by establishing a Legacy Fund through LEAF. Legacy Funds are permanent funds from which only the income is used. The annual investment income, or interest, is used for the purpose designated by the donor. Additional gifts may be made to the fund to increase the principal and thereby increase the annual investment income or as a one-time pass-through donation. Legacy Funds represent rewarding gift opportunities because they offer the donor the satisfaction of knowing that his or her gift will continue working for future generations.

 

How a Legacy Fund is Established

The Legacy Fund may be established with a contribution in the form of cash, appreciated securities or other charitable gifts such as a bequest. The fund is invested by LEAF, which serves as a steward of the Legacy Funds. The Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to LEAF are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

 

The Purposes of a Legacy Fund

With the assistance of LEAF, donors can specify the details of the fund’s objectives. The following ideas are a sampling of what a Legacy Fund can accomplish to enhance educational excellence. Income from Legacy Funds will enable LEAF to support undergraduate scholarships, graduate student fellow-ships, professorships, chairs and promising research. Funds range from $5,000 to any amount established by the donor:

  • An annual student scholarship to financially assist those students attending a particular program.
  • A multi-year award for distinguished students.
  • Provide funds for faculty development to aid the scholarly, professional and personal growth of horticultural faculty at the educational facility of the donor’s choice.
  • Create a faculty recognition award to acknowledge the contributions of an outstanding faculty member at any institution<.
  • Establish a fund for a distinguished visiting scholar that finances the annual cost of a visiting scholar in an academic field.
  • A fund to support a specific campus, academic department, program, equipment or service<.
  • Create a fund to support an annual conference or lecture series.
  • A fund to provide additional resources for horticultural libraries.
  • A fully endowed faculty chair that provides an annual salary, benefits and scholarly expenses for a distinguished teacher/scholar at the educational facility of the donor’s choice.

The LEAF Legacy Sign-Up Form is available for download HERE

For more information about establishing a LEAF Legacy Fund, please contact Sandra Giarde.

 

Sample Bequest Language

How to Designate Your Bequest

Please note that the following sample language is intended only as a general guide for those preparing wills or trusts. All bequests to LEAF should be designated with “The Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF)’ as the beneficiary. LEAF is recognized as the official organization to receive and administer gifts and bequests on behalf of CLCA.

 

Unrestricted Bequest

“I give (describe dollar amount, property to be given or proportion of residuary estate) to the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation, a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento, to be used in such a manner as the Board of Trustees may elect.”

 

Restricted Bequest

“I give (describe dollar amount, property to be given or proportion of residuary estate) to the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF), a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento, for the purposes of establishing the following restricted fund (indicate purpose).”

“If in the future the Board of Trustees determines that the specific purposes for which this fund was established no longer pertain or the programs benefiting from these funds no longer exist, the Board may designate the funds be used for those purposes and program within LEAF which are most closely aligned with the original intent. Such re-designation of funds shall be allowed only to the extent permitted by California law and the policies and procedures of LEAF.”

 

Restricted Named Endowment Fund (Perpetual Resource)

“I hereby leave (describe dollar amount, property to be given or proportion of residuary estate) of my estate to the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF), a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento, to constitute an endowment fund which shall be used to establish a (indicate purpose such as scholarship, program or academic fund, research fund, etc.). This fund shall be known as (indicate proposed name of fund). For the purpose of investment, this fund may be combined with other funds of LEAF and administered according to LEAF policies and procedures.”

“If in the future the Board of Trustees determines that the specific purposes for which this endowment was established no longer pertain or the programs benefiting from these funds no longer exist, the Board may designate the funds be used for those purposes and programs within LEAF which are most closely aligned with the original intent. Such re-designation of funds shall be allowed only to the extent permitted by California law and the policies and procedures of LEAF.”

 

Simple Residuary Bequest

“I give the rest of the property I own at my death to the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation, a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento, to be used for unrestricted purposes.”

 

Contingency Bequest

“If (indicate name or names) is not living after the date of my death, I give the remainder of the property I own to the Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation, a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento, to be used for unrestricted purposes.”