Planned Giving

Imagine a world in which each and every human life on this planet was grounded in genuine well-being. 

Explore how you can make CCR a part of your legacy and join a circle of generous supporters who give through their wills, trusts, and other types of planned gifts to safeguard CCR’s mission for the benefit of future generations. 

A Gift in Your Will

You want to leave money to CCR in your will. You also want the flexibility to change your will in the event that life circumstances change. You can do both. It can be as simple as adding a sentence to your will. 

Additionally, it may help to consider that in a gift in your will there are no costs involved in your lifetime. Depending on your location, there may even be tax benefits in making a bequest to CCR. Leaving a lasting legacy doesn’t require great wealth.

We can guide you through the process with the following recommendations: 

1. Talk with your loved ones. Let them know of your wish and share with them your intentions to include CCR in your will. 
2. Seek professional advice. Each country has its own considerations when it comes to estate planning. While it is highly advisable to consult a lawyer or financial advisor who can provide expert guidance in this regard, it is not mandatory to do so. 
3. Write or update your Will. You’ll have to consider whether you want to leave a percentage or a specific amount of your estate to CCR. Then create or revise your Will. You can find sample language below. 
4. Inform or start a conversation with us. While you are not obliged to inform us, we appreciate the foresight so that we can plan how to use your gift most effectively. If you’re interested in including CCR in your Will, or have done so already, please complete. You may also email us with any questions. 

The following language may be of help to you when drawing up a will that meets your needs. 

• Direct Gift: A gift of a specific dollar amount or fixed percentage that can be used where the need is greatest: “I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to CCR (insert dollar amount) OR (insert percentage amount) of my estate to be used for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
• Residual Gift: Leaves any remainder after all other bequests have been paid. “I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the CCR, all or (insert percentage amount) percent of the residue of my estate to be used for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
• Contingency Gift: Takes effect only if a primary intention can’t be met. “If any of the beneficiaries named in this will should pass away before becoming entitled to receive their distributive share of my estate, I direct my trustee to pay or transfer the share to which such beneficiary would otherwise be entitled, to CCR for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

Relevant Information

CCR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Colorado, USA. If you include CCR in your plans, please use our legal name, registered address, and federal tax ID: 

Registered Name: Center for Contemplative Research

Registered Address: 1 Carmelita Way PO Box 881 Crestone, CO 81131

Federal Tax ID#: 85-1666977

Mailing Address: 1 Carmelita Way PO Box 881 Crestone, CO 81131

Beneficiary Designations: The simplest way to leave a legacy 

You may designate the Center for Contemplative Research as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, retirement plan (IRA, 401k, 403b), pension, or other assets, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, or retained life estates. In preparation for any planned gifts, you should speak to your attorney or accountant to find out what options and tax advantages will work best for you.

Follow these five easy steps: 

1. Contact the relevant institution for a change-of-beneficiary form. Many forms are available online through the institution’s website.
2. Indicate what percentage of the account (up to 100%) you would like to contribute to CCR.
3. Name CCR as the beneficiary by providing the following information: 
   1. Legal Name: Center for Contemplative Science
   2. Mailing Address: 1 Carmelita Way PO Box 881 Crestone, CO 81131 
   3. Federal Tax ID#: 85-1666977 
4. Return or submit the form as directed by the institution. 
5. Notify CCR  

Use Your IRA (for US residents only)

If you are aged 70 1⁄2 years or older, you can contribute any amount up to $100,000 per year from your IRA directly to CCR, without being subject to income tax on this amount. This popular gift option is known as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). 

Follow the above five steps to designate CCR as your IRA beneficiary and benefit from related tax incentives with immediate effect.