Bequest Language

Donors who have made bequests to the Garden provide critical and lasting support for Brooklyn's very own horticultural treasure.

A bequest, one of the simplest ways to provide for the Garden's future, can take different forms and be easily modified to address your changing needs.

Bequests can be unrestricted, allowing BBG's trustees to apply the gift where the need is greatest. They may also be earmarked for special purposes. If you are considering restricting your gift, however, we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your ideas, and the language you plan to use, before you finalize the gift.

You may wish to leave the Garden a Simple Bequest, which lists the Garden as recipient of a specific dollar amount; a Residual Bequest, which leaves BBG a percentage of the remainder of your estate after other obligations are met; or a Contingent Bequest, which takes effect only if your heirs predecease you.

You can also add a codicil (an addition that modifies or revokes part of an existing will).

Sample Language for a Simple Bequest

"I give, devise, and bequeath to Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation, located at 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11225, (the sum of $_______) or (____% of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, real and personal) for its general charitable purposes."

Sample Language for a Residuary Bequest

"I give, devise bequeath, [all, or ___percent of] the rest, residue, and remainder of the property, both real and personal, wherever situated, which I may own or be entitled to at my death, to Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation for its general charitable purposes."

Sample Language for a Contingent Bequest

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give, devise, and bequeath to Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general charitable purposes."