LEAF Legacy Program

Purpose: Allow green industry professionals to establish permanent legacy funds that support educational advancement through endowed scholarships, professorships, faculty development, and research

Geographic Scope: California (based at Sacramento, CA)

Fund Types:

• Legacy Funds: Permanent funds where only investment income is used annually for donor-designated purposes
• Endowed Scholarships: Annual student scholarships, multi-year awards for distinguished students
• Faculty Support: Professorships, chairs, faculty development funds, visiting scholar funds
• Institutional Support: Funds for specific departments, programs, equipment, services, or libraries
• Academic Events: Conferences, lecture series support

Minimum Fund Amount: Funds range from $5,000 to any amount established by donor

Key Benefits:

• Permanent impact across generations
• Tax-deductible contributions (501(c)(3) status)
• Donor retains control over fund objectives
• LEAF serves as steward and administrator

Acceptable Gift Forms:

• Cash
• Appreciated securities
• Bequests
• Other charitable gifts

Contact Information:

• Sandra Giarde, Executive Director
• Email: sandra.giarde@clca.org
• Phone: (916) 830-2780
• Address: 1545 River Park Drive, Suite 525, Sacramento, CA 95815

How to Establish a Legacy Fund

1. Contact LEAF to discuss fund objectives and structure
2. Download the LEAF Legacy Sign-Up Form (available on website)
3. Work with LEAF staff to specify fund details and purposes
4. Make initial contribution in form of:
   • Cash
   • Appreciated securities
   • Bequest language in will/trust
   • Other charitable gifts
5. LEAF invests and administers the fund as permanent endowment
6. Annual distribution of investment income occurs according to donor's designated purposes

Bequest Language Options Provided

Sample bequest language templates are provided for incorporation into wills and trusts:

• Unrestricted Bequest: General support at LEAF's discretion
• Restricted Bequest: For specific purposes with flexible re-designation clause
• Restricted Named Endowment Fund: Perpetual named endowment with specific purpose
• Simple Residuary Bequest: Remainder of estate after other distributions
• Contingency Bequest: Conditional gift if named beneficiary does not survive

Required Language Elements

All bequests must designate: "The Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF)" as beneficiary, described as "a non-profit California corporation with its principal offices in Sacramento, California, in the County of Sacramento"