A Pattern of Philanthropy

The giving history of the late Emily B. "Bootsie" Ettinger told us that she would likely arrange a generous estate gift to the Zoo through a bequest to the Zoo Society.

During her life, Mrs. Ettinger made 57 gifts to the Zoo Society throughout 15 consecutive years of loyal interest and support. Like many of our Lion's Pride members (people who have told us they have included the Zoo Society in a planned giving arrangement), her early gifts were small. The first 20 donations she made averaged about $30 each.

But even these small gifts were telling. Mrs. Ettinger shared her love of the Zoo by giving her loved ones memberships, animal adoptions and a tile. She even purchased two bricks so that her message, "Animals and their keepers...God bless this beautiful Zoo," would be engraved in the Zoo's Junction Plaza for all time.

Mrs. Ettinger and her family sponsored the Zoo's handsome hummingbird garden as a memorial to her late husband. In that garden, a prominent rock carries a distinctive bronze plaque that reads, "Hummingbird Garden: This garden dedicated as a Living Memorial to Richard E. Ettinger by his Family." Like so many of our Lion's Pride members, Mrs. Ettinger remembered the past and planned for the future.

"What a sweetheart she was," remembers Sandra Welch Boren, the former Associate Director of the Zoo Society and the current Program Officer for The Cemala Foundation in Greensboro.

"Bootsie just purely loved the Zoo...even though she could not visit as much as she would have liked. She read her Alive magazine and every correspondence we sent her. She knew what was going on at the Zoo. She wanted to share it with her children, and she brought them to the Zoo whenever she could."

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to North Carolina Zoo Society a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to North Carolina Zoo Society, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 4403 Zoo Pkwy., Asheboro, NC 27205, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the N.C. Zoo Society or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the N.C. Zoo Society as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the N.C. Zoo Society as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the N.C. Zoo Society where you agree to make a gift to the N.C. Zoo Society and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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