Brooklyn Zen Center | A New York City Soto Zen Buddhist Temple
Planned Giving

You can support the Brooklyn Zen Center’s long-term financial vitality by including us in your estate planning. Giving in this way leaves a wonderful and valuable legacy for future generations, and helps the Brooklyn Zen Center develop solid and sustainable programs for years to come. It’s easier than you think, and may also provide excellent benefits for you and/or your family at tax time.
 

BEQUESTS
Consider including the Brooklyn Zen Center in your will, living trust, retirement plan, or life insurance policy. Doing so is very easy, and ensures that your generosity  will continue in perpetuity, supporting a dynamic institution dedicated to the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha under Suzuki Roshi’s Lineage.
 
In life insurance and retirement plans, naming the Brooklyn Zen Center as a beneficiary can save your heirs undue tax burdens and are often tax deductible. Your lawyer or financial advisor should be able to give you the information on how to do so.
 
Giving to the Zen Center in a will or trust is also fairly simple provided specific language is used. Here is some sample language, however a lawyer should always be consulted before making any bequests:
 
Give A Percentage
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York,______% of my estate to be used for charitable purposes.”
 
Give A Specific Dollar Amount
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York, $_______ to be used for charitable purposes.”
 
Give A Residue
A residue is what assets remain after other bequests have been granted.
“All the residue of my estate, including real and personal property, I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brooklyn Zen Center of New York, to be used for its charitable purposes.” Please let us know that you are interested in these options for planned giving by emailing Yael Shy at yael [at] brooklynzen [dot] org, and thank your for your support and generosity.
 
 

APPRECIATED ASSETS/STOCK TRANSFER
You can avoid the capital gains tax you might incur from the sale of an appreciated asset (such as stock) by donating the asset to the Brooklyn Zen Center.  You  will also receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the asset.  Please contact us and let us know if you are interested in making an appreciated asset transfer, please email Yael Shy at yael [at] brooklynzen [dot] org.