Help the Zoo and Yourself.

For many of us, the last quarter of the year is a time to re-examine our financial plans and consider our support of charities that bring meaning to our lives. Why wait until then?

No matter how you plan, making a lasting donation to a community treasure committed to conservation, the future of wildlife and the education of children and families in any of the following ways would be greatly appreciated.

A Bequest in Your Will.

Some think of a favorite charity, like the Zoo, as part of their extended family, and include them in a bequest in their will. This is easily and simply done. If wildlife preservation, education and protecting a community asset are important to you, talk to a professional about including a specific or residuary bequest in your will (i.e., "I leave the sum of $25,000 to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo" or "I leave 10 percent of the remainder of my estate to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo").

Beneficiary Appointment of Life Insurance.

Not everyone knows that they can name their favorite charity as a beneficiary for part or all of the proceeds from an existing life insurance policy. You can do this easily by requesting a change-in-beneficiary form from your life insurance company.

You can also make an outright gift of a life insurance policy that may have served its purpose. Perhaps a policy bought for business reasons is no longer needed when the business is sold, or your children have matured and the need for family protection is no longer required. The policy can be donated to the Zoo or charity of your choice, after which the beneficiary can surrender the policy for its cash surrender value or continue the policy by paying the premiums. In either case, donors can receive tax advantages while charities receive financial support.

For more information or to advise us of your plans, please call Kelley Parker, Major Gifts and Planned Giving Manager at 719.633.9925, ext. 164, or e-mail kparker@cmzoo.org.