Join the Founders Circle
The Pierre S. and Alice du Pont Founders Circle recognizes and honors those who make the thoughtful decision to include Longwood Gardens as part of their estate plans. Founders Circle Members are invited to attend special exhibition openings, lectures, and events.
If you have already included Longwood in your estate plan or plan to do so, please let us know by completing our Gift Intention Form so that we can thank you and ensure your gift is used according to your wishes.
With their exceptional foresight, Pierre S. and Alice du Pont made provisions for Longwood Gardens and other charities important to them in their estate plans. They wanted to ensure that institutions that provided immense pleasure and benefit to the community would be carefully preserved for future enjoyment and societal impact. Through your own generosity and planning, you will be a part of this great legacy.
Types of Planned Gifts
Several options for supporting Longwood Gardens through a planned gift are as follows. Please consult an attorney and/or tax advisor to determine which type of gift is best for your circumstances.
- Bequests
By including Longwood Gardens in your will, you can make a meaningful gift without reducing the assets available to you during your life. Sample bequest language. - Beneficiary Designation
You may name Longwood Gardens as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or a donor-advised fund by filling out a beneficiary designation form from your plan administrator. - Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust provides you or a beneficiary with an annual income for a set number of years or for life. At the end of the term, the remaining assets are distributed to Longwood Gardens. - Charitable Lead Trust
Fund a charitable lead trust to provide Longwood Gardens with a fixed amount each year for a set period of time. The remaining assets are distributed to your beneficiary(ies).
More Ways to Give
Longwood Gardens also accepts gifts of stock or securities, grants made through donor-advised funds, distributions from your IRA, and memorial and tribute gifts, as well as gifts-in-kind and of property. Gifts may be subject to review based on criteria of our gift acceptance policy.
Questions?
For more information, or to share your intentions, please contact:
Rebecca Ackerman, Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Email: rackerman@longwoodgardens.org
Phone: 610.388.5259
Sample Bequest Language
The language below is intended as a guide that may be included in your new will, or in a codicil to an existing will. Please consult with your legal, financial, or tax advisor when preparing your planned gift.
Bequest for General Purposes
“I give, devise, and bequeath [the sum of $______] or [all or a _____ percent of the residue, rest and remainder of my estate] or [other specified property] to Longwood Gardens Inc., a Delaware Non-Profit located in Kennett Square, PA, EIN#51-0110625, for its general purposes.”
Bequest for Specified Purpose
When making a restricted gift, please include the following language so that the gift will remain productive should circumstances change:
“I give, devise, and bequeath [the sum of $______] or [all or a _____ percent of the residue, rest and remainder of my estate] or [other specified property] to Longwood Gardens Inc., a Delaware Non-Profit located in Kennett Square, PA, EIN#51-0110625, to support [identify program or purpose].” In the event of changed circumstances that, in the discretion of Board of Trustees of Longwood Gardens, make it unlawful, impossible, or impractical to carry out the designated purpose of this bequest, then the Board of Trustees of Longwood Gardens may use the bequest for other purposes as nearly as possible to the designated purpose."