Planned Giving

Some of our most dedicated members and friends elect to ensure the vitality of the NRHS far into the future by including the NRHS in their estate plans. Gifts vary in size and scope, yet all serve a common purpose: to positively impact the future success of preserving railway heritage. Making a charitable gift from your estate enables you to achieve financial and tax goals, as well as benefiting the mission of the NRHS.

A bequest may be right for you if:

  • You would like to make a gift to the NRHS.
  • You want the flexibility to change your mind.
  • You want continued access to your wealth, should you need it.
  • You are concerned about outliving your resources
  • You want a tax deduction for your estate. There is no upper-limit on the estate tax deductions that can be taken for charitable bequests.

Remembering the NRHS in your will is a powerful way for you to make a lasting gift. A bequest gift of any size will make an important contribution to our long-term strength and our ability to carry on with our programs.

Ways you can define a charitable gift in your estate plan
There are several ways that you can define the amount of your charitable gift to the NRHS. They
are:

  • A gift of a specific amount of money. For example, you give $25,000.
  • A gift that will be made only if one of more conditions are met. For example, you give $25,000 provided the NRHS still offers a particular program, or your spouse does not survive you.
  • A gift that will be made from the remainder of your estate once all other bequests, debts, and taxes have been paid. For example, you give 25% of the remainder of your estate. Often called a “residuary bequest,” this approach assures that your loved ones will be taken care of before your estate makes a bequest to the NRHS.

Ways to specify how we may use your bequest
You have several options for directing the use of your bequest, once it is received by the NRHS.
They are:

  • An unrestricted bequest – This is a gift to the NRHS General Fund. This can be the most useful kind of gift because it allows the NRHS to put your gift to the best possible use at the time we receive it.
  • A restricted bequest – This is a gift for a specific program that is important to you, such as RailCamp, Heritage Grants or the Film Preservation Program.
  • An honorary bequest – This is a gift made in honor of someone else. Any form of bequest can also be an honorary bequest. The NRHS would be pleased to recognize the people you wish to honor with your gift.

Make sure we can carry out your wishes
It is very important that your bequest is accurately and clearly described in your estate plan so that the NRHS can carry out your wishes as you intended. The NRHS is pleased to consult with you regarding the terms of your bequest to make sure that your intentions are carried out. To avoid any possible question that your bequest is to the NRHS, be sure to include the full legal name and federal tax identification number in your bequest.

Legal name: NRHS Fund, Inc.
Current Address: 505 South Lenola Road, Suite 226, Moorestown, N.J. 08057
Tax identification number: 46-5395491
    
We are happy to provide you with sample bequest language to assist you and your attorney. Please contact our General Counsel at gc@nrhs.com.
You have complete flexibility to change your bequest at any time.  If circumstances change in a way that makes you want to revise your gift to the NRHS, you can.