Information for Advisors

It is always appropriate to consult with your professional advisors when considering an estate gift. The following information can help your advisor facilitate your desired estate gift:

Legal Name: The Historical Society of Colorado (dba – History Colorado)

Purpose: To inspire generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in creating a better Colorado.

Federal Tax Identification Number: 84-600482

Address:

Donations can be mailed to the following secure address:

History Colorado Philanthropy
PO Box 5941
Denver, CO 80217-2895

All other donation correspondence can be directed to:

Shannon Joern
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Philanthropy Department
History Colorado 
1200 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203 
 

Phone: 303-866-4737

Web: www.historycolorado.org

Brokerage Information

History Colorado gratefully accepts gifts of publicly traded securities. In general, donating securities in appreciated positions will help maximize an individual’s tax benefit, as the associated charitable income tax deduction is typically based on the full fair market value of the security. No capital gains tax would be payable by the donor or History Colorado.

For more information about gifts of securities, or to request History Colorado’s brokerage information, please contact Shannon Joern, Chief Philanthropy Officer, at shannon.joern@state.co.us or calling 303-866-4737.

Recommended Language for Bequests and Testamentary Gifts:

Sample language for a specific bequest to History Colorado through a will or living trust:

"I give to History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, a Colorado non-profit corporation, the sum of $_______ [or ______% of my estate; or the property described herein], for its general purposes."

Sample language for a residuary bequest to History Colorado is:

"I give to History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203, a Colorado non-profit corporation, all [or ____%] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, for its general purposes."

Beneficiary Designation

A person wishing to support History Colorado through a retirement plan, IRA, or life insurance policy, should request a Beneficiary Change Form from his/her company or plan administrator.

Beneficiary Change forms are typically available online. Please indicate the desired gift amount or percentage and return/submit the completed form.

Other Arrangements

History Colorado also encourages estate gifts through other arrangements, including Charitable Remainder and Charitable Lead Trusts. However, History Colorado prefers not to serve as Trustee for these gifts.

Purpose of Gift

Donors who make estate or outright gifts may designate their gift for a specific purpose. Such gifts can be designated to meet current need or to support an existing endowed fund for the specified purpose. Please contact History Colorado for more information.

In addition, a donor who wishes to contribute $50,000 or more may establish a Named Endowment Fund and may specify the program or activity that will utilize these funds (may be subject to board approval). Typically, these funds are named in honor of the donor, his or her family, or another individual. Please contact Shannon Joern by emailing or calling 303-866-4737.

Thank You!

History Colorado created the Society 1879 to honor and recognize those who remember us with an estate gift. This provides us with an opportunity to say “thank you” during a person’s life.

History Colorado also recognizes that some donors prefer to remain anonymous regarding an estate gift. We honor and respect these wishes. In addition, we would appreciate the opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for an estate gift whenever possible.

In some cases, a client may allow an advisor to share his/her name with History Colorado. In others, an advisor can play a helpful role in forwarding a ‘Thank You’ letter to a client, while still preserving his/her anonymity. Please share any guidance. History Colorado places great importance on thanking people for their confidence and generosity, while respecting their wishes in every instance.