Horizon Society & Legacy Giving
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Horizon Society
For more than 25 years, the Iowa Environmental Council has been the largest environmental coalition in the state, leading the way in addressing urgent concerns impacting people and the planet. Through education, advocacy, and coalition-building, we raise awareness, generate action, and create large-scale change. We work on federal, state, and local public policy issues to ensure a just, healthy environment and sustainable future for all Iowans.
The Council is the largest and most comprehensive environmental coalition in the state. We are a nonpartisan alliance of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect and preserve Iowa's environment. Together, we unify Iowans to advocate for clean water and land stewardship, clean energy, a healthy climate, and environmental justice.
Our work is ongoing—which is why it is important to support IEC today, and also into the future! By joining the Iowa Environmental Council’s Horizon Society, you are ensuring your values live on through the IEC community. By including a gift to IEC in your estate plan, you help create a legacy of sustaining Iowa’s natural resources for all Iowans.
Who Can Join?
Legacy gifts of all sizes are welcome in the Iowa Environmental Council’s Horizon Society. Consider becoming a member of the Horizon Society if you:
- Care about making Iowa a better place to live, work, and explore for future generations
- Have been impacted by the Council in your environmental work and advocacy
- Value our shared efforts to advocate for clean water and land stewardship, clean energy, and a healthy climate
Our Commitment to You
Members of the Council’s Horizon Society will receive:
- A thank you for your legacy gift
- Iowa Environmental Council Member communications
- Invitations to Horizon Society events, such as happy hour with the chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Director
- Recognition at Pro H2O and other fundraising events throughout the year
- Recognition in our annual report
How to Join the Iowa Environmental Council’s Horizon Society
*Note that the Council is not giving legal or tax advice, and nothing below should be construed as such. With all financial and beneficiary decisions, we recommend consulting with your attorney and/or financial advisor.
Designate the Council as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, donor advised fund, or life insurance policy. It’s easy! Just contact the company that holds your retirement plan, donor advised fund, or life insurance policy. Let them know that you would like to update your beneficiaries, and they will send you a form. Fill out what percentage you would like to go to the Council. You may also wish to consult with your attorney, as changing the beneficiary may affect other estate planning.
Remember the Council in your will or living trust. Including the Council as a recipient of a percentage or specific dollar amount is easy to do. Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, the following examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. There are also legal requirements for these documents, so you should consult your attorney before making a gift to the Council in this manner. We encourage you to share your final will or living trust provision with the Iowa Environmental Council to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.
Here’s some SAMPLE language that you can give to your attorney:
Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes: I give, devise, and bequeath to the Iowa Environmental Council, a not-for-profit organization located in Des Moines, IA, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used for the general purposes of the Iowa Environmental Council. I instruct that all of my charitable gifts shall be made, to the extent possible, from property that constitutes “income in respect of a decedent” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
Specific amount for unrestricted purposes: I give, devise, and bequeath to the Iowa Environmental Council, a not-for-profit organization located in Des Moines, IA, the sum of $_______ in cash (or ________ shares of ________stock) to be used for the general purposes of the Iowa Environmental Council. I instruct that all of my charitable gifts shall be made, to the extent possible, from property that constitutes “income in respect of a decedent” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code.
For More Information
Thinking about a more complicated bequest, or need more information? Reach out to the Council’s Development Office and we can talk with you about your interest in establishing a gift of appreciated stock, charitable remainder trust, and more.
Let us know! After you’ve completed these steps, please click the button below and/or contact the Council’s Development Office so that we can say thank you and welcome you into the Horizon Society.