Legacy Circle
The Legacy Circle recognizes and honors the visionary individuals, couples and families who have included the California Symphony in their estate plans, ensuring that the work you care about continues. There are three ways to become a member of the California Symphony’s Legacy Circle:
BEQUESTS
Making a bequest to the California Symphony is an ideal way to make a significant gift, but retain the use of your assets during your lifetime. Through a will, a family can bequeath a specific dollar amount, a percentage of an estate, or a residual value after other gifts have been satisfied. Bequests can be for a designated purpose.
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS
Naming the California Symphony as beneficiary of a life insurance policy, annuity, or retirement fund [e.g., IRA, 401(k), 403(b)] is a great way to eliminate substantial estate and income tax on these assets at the time of your death.
DIRECT GIFTS OF CASH
Legacy gifts of cash, publicly traded securities, or life insurance cash value from a policy that’s no longer needed can be given to the endowment fund at any time, providing tax-saving benefits for you and immediate benefits to the Symphony.
In recognition of their support, Legacy Circle members are listed in all concert Program Books and are invited to an exclusive annual benefit luncheon each year.
How to Join the Circle
To begin, contact your attorney and ask for the California Symphony to be included in your Will or Trust. Bring this sample language to use as a starting point for your discussion and planning:
SAMPLE LANGUAGE—FLAT SUM (FOR WILLS)
“I give the sum of $_____________ to the California Symphony Orchestra, Inc., a registered charitable organization (TAX ID 94-3024038). At the time of this writing, the organization is located at 100 Pringle Ave, Walnut Creek, CA.”
SAMPLE LANGUAGE—PERCENTAGE (FOR WILLS)
“I give ______ percent of the residue of my estate to the California Symphony Orchestra, Inc., a registered charitable organization (TAX ID 94-3024038). At the time of this writing, the organization is located at 100 Pringle Ave, Walnut Creek, CA.”
SAMPLE LANGUAGE—FLAT SUM (FOR TRUSTS)
“The trustee shall distribute the sum of $_____________ to the California Symphony Orchestra, Inc., a registered charitable organization (TAX ID 94-3024038). At the time of this writing, the organization is located at 100 Pringle Ave, Walnut Creek, CA.”
SAMPLE LANGUAGE—PERCENTAGE (FOR TRUSTS)
“The trustee shall distribute ______ percent of the residue of my estate to the California Symphony Orchestra, Inc., a registered charitable organization (TAX ID 94-3024038). At the time of this writing, the organization is located at 100 Pringle Ave, Walnut Creek, CA.”
If you need an attorney recommendation, or help crafting your Will, Trust, or estate plans, please contact the office and we will be happy to assist you. Once you have decided to include the California Symphony in your Will, Trust, and/or estate plans, complete and return the Legacy Circle membership form so we can begin recognizing your generosity and including your gift in our future planning.
View and print membership form
Circle Benefits
In recognition of your support, Legacy Circle members are listed in all concert Program Books and are invited to an annual benefit luncheon each spring exclusively to celebrate and honor your commitment to leaving a lasting legacy at the California Symphony.