The Albert Einstein Society: Making a Planned Gift

You can help ensure the future of the Connecticut Science Center by making a planned gift and joining The Albert Einstein Society.  Named for arguably the greatest scientist of our time and Time Magazine’s Person of the 20th Century, this group is dedicated to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Science Center. With a gift of a bequest or trust, you can help the Science Center improve the lives of others, while also providing financial and tax benefits for yourself and your family.  Here are five ways you can make a difference.

1. Direct bequest
An unrestricted gift allows the Science Center to apply your contribution to our most pressing needs. You simply bequeath to us in your will a specific sum of money or other asset. Then our Board of Trustees will determine how your gift can best help the Science Center and those it serves.

2. Percentage or residue
You may choose to leave the Science Center a percentage of your estate or the “rest, residue and remainder” of your estate after all other bequests, debts and taxes have been paid. A percentage will compensate for any changes in the value of your estate over time.

3. Charitable Lead Trusts
Income from these trusts would flow to the Science Center for a designated period of time (typically 10 to 20 years or more). At the end of that time, the assets would be returned to you, your heirs, or any other persons designated. In this manner, you can direct a sizeable amount of annual income for the Science Center while guaranteeing that your heirs will ultimately benefit from the asset.

4. Charitable Remainder Trusts
Under this trust, you (or your beneficiary) receives the trust income during your lifetime, after which, the Science Center receives the residual of the trust assets. 

5. Memorial fund
You can establish a permanent memorial fund in your name or that of another person, with the income to be used as you direct. The principal will be invested and will continue to provide support to the organization in perpetuity.

The Science Center's development department would be pleased to discuss with you, as well as members of your family and your financial/legal advisors, the various options for achieving your philanthropic goals. If you would like personal assistance in learning how planned gifts can meet your charitable and personal goals, and help the Science Center fulfill and perpetuate its educational mission, please contact Dina Plapler, Director of Major Gifts at: dplapler@ctsciencecenter.org, or at 860-727-0457 ext. 104.