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Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Sylvester Jr. – MSLF Donor Story

Mr. Sylvester Mr. Sylvester was born in LaSalle, Colorado and earned an undergraduate degree in Animal Science and a Masters Degree in Agricultural Economics at Colorado State University. He has been a rancher since 1959. Putting his agricultural background to good use, Mr. Sylvester held the position of General Manager of the National Western Livestock Show and Rodeo for twenty-five years.

Mrs. Sylvester was born in Omaha, Nebraska and worked on her family's dairy farm; she married Mr. Sylvester in 2001. Until recently, she hosted a radio talk show, and continues to maintain a hard hitting website, www.GoodNeighborLaw.com that discusses a wide range of conservative issues.

Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester live on the 130 year old farm that he was born and raised on. Both strongly support their roles as stewards of the land. "We believe that American resource providers are forced to face unwarranted litigation. Opponents of domestic resource providers sue American farmers, ranchers, fishermen, loggers, and miners to stop them from producing. Opponents want to convert America's fertile land and natural resources into fallow playgrounds." From this belief, their support of Mountain States Legal Foundation has grown. "Mountain States Legal Foundation provides free legal service to our deserving stewards, and we want to contribute towards this commendable effort. As a small token of appreciation to MSLF, we are honored to bequeath some of our farm to them."

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Mountain States Legal Foundation 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

Bequest Language

I [name], of [city, state, ZIP] give, devise and bequeath to Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), (tax identification number 84-0736725) 2596 South Lewis Way, Lakewood, Colorado 80227, [written dollar amount or percentage of the estate or description of the property] to continue its mission to protect and preserve individual liberty, the right to own and use property, limited and ethical government and economic freedom.

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 MSLF 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 MSLF 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 MSLF 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 MSLF where you agree to make a gift to MSLF 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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