Donation by Will

Thank you for inquiring about the possibilities of including West Wisconsin Land Trust (WWLT) in your will. Our legal name is "The West Wisconsin Land Trust, Inc." Our tax-exempt number is 39-1618389.

Lucas Township, Dunn County

How to add the West Wisconsin Land Trust to your will: There are several ways you can name the WWLT as a beneficiary in your will. You may choose to give specific assets (or part of your estate) or your residual estate after payment of other bequests. Planned giving specialists suggest that if you are considering making an outright specific bequest to a charity, it is better to specify that a percentage of your estate go to that organization, rather than a specific sum. This allows your charitable giving goals to adjust with your changing life circumstances. You can state how you would like your gift to be used: for a specific purpose that you name (for example, to directly support land protection throughout the state, or "wherever the need is greatest" so the Trust can select a use that matches its mission.

Your gift may also be directed to either our Annual or Stewardship Funds. Gifts deposited into our Annual Fund will support our annual operating budget, therefore allowing us to continue protecting new properties across Wisconsin. The Stewardship Fund provides the WWLT with the financial resources necessary to defend easements in the event of legal challenges and to cover the cost of annually monitoring every property under our protection.

Sample Bequest Language:

specific amount:
"I give to the West Wisconsin Land Trust, Inc., located in Menomonie, WI, the sum of $_____, to be used by the West Wisconsin Land Trust wherever the need is greatest."

specific property:
"I give to the West Wisconsin Land Trust, Inc., located in Menomonie, WI, all of my right, title and interest in the following described real estate [insert legal description of land], to be used by the West Wisconsin Land Trust wherever the need is greatest."

portion of estate:
"I give to the West Wisconsin Land Trust, Inc., located in Menomonie, WI ____% of my estate, to be used by the West Wisconsin Land Trust wherever the need is greatest."

residual estate (after other bequests are named):
"I give to the West Wisconsin Land Trust, Inc., located in Menomonie, WI the rest and residual of my estate, to be used by the Trust wherever the need is greatest."

For more information on donations, please contact the West Wisconsin Land Trust.