Create your choral legacy
By remembering Berkshire Choral International in your estate plans, such as through a bequest in your will, a charitable gift annuity, a charitable trust, or a gift of life insurance or retirement plan assets, you join the Da Capo Society.
Da capo, or “from the head” is the musical term that instructs us to return to “the top” or the beginning of a piece. Da Capo Society members take inspiration from this term and strengthen our legacy to ensure that future generations of choral singers can share in BCI’s traditions of musical excellence, adventure, and community.
An undesignated Da Capo Society gift to our endowment allows the Board of Trustees the flexibility to support strategic areas of the greatest need. However, we can also work with you to designate your gift to support a purpose of mutual interest including our apprentice and young professionals education program, artistic planning, or other innovative special projects.
BCI works with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation as our trusted partner in the stewardship and investment of our funds. For more information or to begin a conversation about your gift, please contact Andrea Shackford at ashackford@berkshirechoral.org or 413-229-1339. As always, we recommend that you consult your attorney or financial advisor when planning your legacy.
The Da Capo Society
Options for Giving
There are a variety of approaches available for you to create a lasting gift in support of our community.
Bequests
A gift specified through your will.
Life Insurance
You can name a charity as sole or co-beneficiary resulting in a large future gift. One other possibility is to donate a fully paid policy to a charitable organization for current tax benefits.
Retirement Plans
You can name a charity as the sole or co-beneficiary on various retirement plans including IRAs, SEPs, Roth IRAs and 401(k)s to pass to the charity upon your death. Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A trust created in order to leave assets to a charity or non-profit organization at some time in the future. Usually a person receives income from the trust while alive. The remaining trust principal goes to the charity upon his or her death.
Charitable Lead Trust
A trust created to provide current income to a charity. Upon your death, the remaining trust principal goes to your heirs.
Donor-Advised Fund
If you have an existing donor-advised fund, consider the option of adding BCI as an account beneficiary. It is a simple and effective way to ensure that your recommendations are known.
Helpful forms and info
Bequest Intention Form: Once you have decided to include BCI in your will, trust, and/or estate plans, please complete and return the Bequest Intention Form so we can include you in our Da Capo Society membership list. Your participation will help inspire others to make their gift. Download the Bequest Intention Form or call us at 413-229-1339 to request a mailed copy.
Electronic Transfer Authorization Form: Making a gift of appreciated securities may have benefits to you as a contributor. If the securities are held in street name by your broker, they can be transferred to BCI’s brokerage firm electronically. But you must instruct your broker in writing. Get form.
Questions? Please contact Andrea Shackford at ashackford@berkshirechoral.org or 413-229-1339.
Sample bequest language (consult your lawyer or advisor):
1. Percentage: “I give to Berkshire Choral International, a nonprofit corporation of the state of Massachusetts, tax identification # 13-2586807, located at 75 North St, Suite 310, Pittsfield, MA 01201, _____% of my estate.”
2. Specific: “I give to Berkshire Choral International, a nonprofit corporation of the state of Massachusetts, tax identification # 13-2586807, located at 75 North St, Suite 310, Pittsfield, MA 01201, (Choose one or more that apply):
a. The sum of $_________
b. _______ shares of stock in __________________Company
3. Residual: “I give to Berkshire Choral International, a nonprofit corporation of the state of Massachusetts, tax identification # 13-2586807, located at 75 North St, Suite 310, Pittsfield, MA 01201, all the residue of my estate, including real personal property.”
4. Contingent: “In the event of the death of any of the beneficiaries, I give to Berkshire Choral International, a nonprofit corporation of the state of Massachusetts, tax identification # 13-2586807, located at 75 North St, Suite 310, Pittsfield, MA 01201, ________.” (a percentage, specific, or residual language as above)
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor.