Legacy Giving Options

The Vision We Share … The Legacy We Create.

Your commitment to Flathead Land Trust reflects the vision we share for the Flathead’s future – where our working farms, wildlife habitat, clean water and recreation opportunities are inseparable parts of our heritage. With good stewardship of these extraordinary natural values, together we’re ensuring that generations to come will continue to enjoy our “Flathead Way of Life.”

Legacy Giving Options

We consider living here a privilege. As part of that gift, our response is to help maintain the beauty and character of the Flathead for the future. As we look toward that legacy, we didn’t have to think twice on agreeing to put Flathead Land Trust in our will. We encourage you to think about this way of being a steward of a very special place.”

~B.J. Carlson and the late Milt Carlson, dedicated patrons and past board members of Flathead Land Trust

Naming Flathead Land Trust in your Will or Living Trust

Specifying a gift to Flathead Land Trust in your will is a simple and flexible way to leave a legacy. You have complete control over your assets during your lifetime, and you can modify your bequest at any time.

Bequests offer:
  • Flexibility: Choose to give a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, the remaining amount of your estate, or even specific assets such as real estate or securities, and you can modify your bequest at any time. 
  • No immediate impact: Your assets stay in your control during your lifetime, so you can continue using and enjoying them.
  • Peace of mind: Knowing you have helped secure Flathead’s natural treasures for the future brings a sense of satisfaction and purpose.

Leaving a bequest to Flathead Land Trust is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on the places you love. To learn more and discuss your options, contact Paul Travis at: 406-752-8293 or email HERE. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you create a plan that aligns with your wishes.

Click here for more detailed information of the different types of bequests and sample bequest language.

Designating Flathead Land Trust as a Beneficiary of Your IRA or Pension Plan

  • Maximize your impact: Assets designated to FLT avoid income taxes, unlike those left to individuals. This allows us to stretch your gift further, protecting more land for future generations.
  • Reduce tax burdens: Your estate may benefit from reduced estate taxes by including FLT in your plans.
  • Create a lasting legacy: Your generosity will help conserve iconic landscapes, connect communities to nature, and inspire future generations to cherish our local environment.

Making a difference is easy:

  • Obtain the beneficiary designation form: Contact your plan administrator to request the appropriate form.
  • Name FLT as a beneficiary: Clearly designate Flathead Land Trust as a beneficiary and specify the desired percentage of your assets you wish to contribute.
  • Notify FLT: Inform us of your intentions. This allows us to express our gratitude and encourage others to follow your lead.
Tax Benefits:
  • No probate: Assets left to FLT bypass probate, saving time and expense for your loved ones.
  • Reduced estate taxes: Assets designated to FLT are excluded from federal and state estate taxes.
  • Income tax exemption: Unlike individual beneficiaries, FLT is exempt from income taxes on inherited assets, allowing us to maximize your gift’s impact.

Contact Paul Travis at Flathead Land Trust at 406-752-8293 or email HERE to discuss your giving options and learn how your generosity can create a lasting difference for the lands and communities we love.

Designating Flathead Land Trust as a Beneficiary of Your Life Insurance Policy

If your family no longer needs a life insurance policy, you can leave a lasting impact by donating your paid-up life insurance policy to Flathead Land Trust (FLT).

  • Avoid estate taxes: By naming Flathead Land Trust as the beneficiary of an individual or group term life insurance policy, the benefits from your policy pass to us free of federal estate tax after your lifetime.
  • Tax deductions: The donor is entitled to a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the policy at the time of the transfer.

A new insurance policy can also be purchased naming FLT as the owner:

  • You pledge annual gifts: Donations cover premiums on a new policy naming FLT the owner.
  • Claim tax deductions:  The donor is entitled to a charitable income tax deduction for all funds donated.

Contact Paul Travis at Flathead Land Trust at 406-752-8293 or email HERE today to discuss how life insurance can create a meaningful legacy for you while protecting cherished places in northwest Montana.

IRA Rollover — Making a tax-free distribution from your IRA

You can donate directly from your IRA to qualified charities, potentially saving on taxes while supporting your passionate causes. The IRA Charitable Rollover, officially called a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), lets you transfer up to $100,000 per year from your traditional IRA directly to a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity. The key benefit? The transferred amount excludes from your taxable income, potentially lowering your tax bill significantly.

On December 18, 2015 the President signed the PATH Act making this special provision permanent. For more information, explore HERE.

Make a difference while potentially saving on taxes!

Basic rules:

  • You must be 70½ or older.
  • Maximum transfer is $100,000 per year.
  • Donations must go directly to IRS-qualified charities (no private foundations).
  • Transfer must be made directly from your IRA custodian to the charity.

Ready to Get Started?

  • Consult a financial advisor: They can help you determine if an IRA Charitable Rollover is right for you and navigate the process.
  • Choose your charity: Select an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) public charity aligned with your values.
  • Direct your IRA custodian: Initiate the transfer directly from your IRA to the chosen charity.

For more information or to discuss your legacy gift plans with FLT, contact Paul Travis at: 406-752-8293 or email HERE.

Making a gift to Flathead Land Trust’s Permanent Endowment Fund

Flathead Land Trust’s Endowment Fund safeguards Montana’s natural heritage for generations to come. Your contribution to this permanent fund ensures we have the resources to continuously serve landowners and vigilantly monitor existing conservation easements.

Make a lasting impact: Donate to the Endowment Fund HERE and please specify “Endowment Fund” in the comments.

For more information or to discuss your legacy gift plans with FLT, contact Paul Travis at: 406-752-8293 or email HERE.

Making a gift to the Land Protection Assistance Fund

Thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor, we’ve established the Land Protection Assistance Fund. This dedicated fund provides financial assistance to landowners who wish to conserve their land through easements but lack the resources to cover associated costs.

The fund empowers landowners who share our passion for protecting Montana’s natural heritage. It helps ensure that these special places remain undeveloped and continue to provide clean water, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty for generations to come.

Make a powerful impact: Donate to the Land Protection Assistance Fund HERE and please specify “Land Protection Assistance Fund” in the comments.

For more information or to discuss your legacy gift plans with FLT, contact Paul Travis at: 406-752-8293 or email HERE.

Photos: Canada Geese on the north shore of Flathead Lake, by Karen Nichols; West Valley sunrise, by Steve Muller; North Shore wetlands with Mission Mountain backdrop, FLT photo; Elk in winter; Sandhill cranes; Grizzly bears in riparian habitat, by Greg Johnson; Flathead River near Columbia Falls, photo by Ken Ringer; Wheat Field on Louden’s property, conserved under FLT conservation easement.