Linden Legacy Society

Meridian’s Legacy programs provide options for friends and supporters to ensure the future of the Center and its houses. Through estate and planned gifts, the Meridian Legacy remembers the first 50 years by providing for the next 50 years. You can support Meridian International Center and its mission in the ways outlined on this page. We appreciate your interest and support, and would be pleased to provide you and your counsel with additional information on the advantages of planned giving.

Download Meridian Planned Giving Brochure   Contact For More Information

Your gift can be unrestricted or can be allocated to one of our restricted funds:

Preserving Our
Architectural Heritage

Meridian’s two historic buildings - Meridian House and White-Meyer House - are surrounded by gardens, forming a city block of unusual historic and architectural interest. Our campus is the residential jewel of John Russell Pope, who also designed the Jefferson Memorial, the West Building of the National Gallery of Art and the National Archives.

Arts for Cultural
Diplomacy Fund

Through art exhibitions, arts education, and additional educational outreach programs, Meridian strives to enlighten, inform, and inspire people to take an interest in the world around them. Over many years, Meridian has come to appreciate the exchange of art and culture as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy.

Global
Engagement Fund

Our programmatic initiatives provide our audiences with information on international issues that is critical to life in the 21st century. Through seminars, lectures, special dinners, film series, and other activities, we convene a wide variety of thought leaders from around the globe.

Gift Options

Gifts of Cash

If you itemize, you can lower your income taxes simply by writing us a check. Gifts of cash are fully deductible – up to a maximum of 50% of your adjusted gross income. For example, if your adjusted gross income for this year is $50,000, up to $25,000 of charitable gifts may be deducted this year. Any excess can generally be carried forward and deducted over as many as five subsequent years.

Gifts of Stock

If you own stock, it is often more tax-wise to contribute stock than cash. This is because a gift of appreciated stock generally offers a two-fold tax saving. First, you avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock. Second, you receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock.

Bequests

We can be named as a beneficiary in your will in any one of a number of simple ways. For example, an outright gift – either a designated dollar amount or percentage of your estate – could be specified. Or, you may wish to provide for a contingent bequest or a remainder interest. You can easily add us to your will through an amendment to your will called a codicil; thus your entire will does not have to be redrafted.

Charitable Lead Trusts

Charitable lead trusts are essentially the reverse of the life income gifts. The income from the trust is first paid to us; the charity’s interest leads the way (hence the name of the trust). With this trust, you transfer assets to a trustee who makes payments to us for a specified number of years, after which time the assets are transferred to your heirs. The charitable lead trust allows you to pass assets on to your children and grandchildren either completely free or substantially free of all estate and gift taxes! It can make good sense for anyone in the top estate and gift tax brackets.

Gifts of Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance can provide a significant charitable deduction. You could purchase a new policy or donate a policy that you currently own but no longer need. To receive a deduction, designate us as both the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy. Check with your insurance agent for the details.

Life Income Gifts

Life income gifts allow you to increase your income, receive a charitable contribution deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. If you own stock that is paying you low dividends, maybe 2% or 3%, a “life-income” gift may be an appropriate gift. You could transfer the stock to us and establish a “charitable remainder unitrust” or “charitable remainder annuity trust” that would provide you with a 5% or greater annual return. This income would be paid to you and/or a loved one for life, after which the assets would be distributed outright to us. Through such an arrangement, you would be increasing your income and making a meaningful (and tax-deductible) contribution to us at the same time.

Other planned gifts, including property and real estate, are accepted when suitable for both the organization and the donor.

Disclaimer: The discussion herein is general in nature and may not apply to all individuals. Prospective donors are urged to consult their personal tax and financial advisors concerning the specific consequences of making gifts to the Institute. We would be pleased to discuss, in confidence, ways in which you may support the Institute. These measures may also have an impact on your estate planning.