Planned Giving FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What kinds of gifts does Five Acres accept?

A: Outright gifts of cash, securities or other property
(e.g., real estate, personally property).

A gift through your will or revocable trust, or through distribution from a retirement plan or life insurance policy.

A gift that returns lifetime payments to you, your spouse, or other individuals, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.

Q: What assets can I use to make a gift?

A: Cash, publicly traded securities or the remainder of your retirement account. Other possibilities are real estate, closely held stock and artwork.

Q: What tax deductions are available?

A: Outright gifts generate a full income-tax charitable deduction. Those of appreciated securities are deductible at fair market value with no recognition of capital gains.

Gifts of personal property like art, books and collectibles are fully deductible if they are relevant to our mission.

Bequests are exempt from estate tax.

Life insurance distributions are exempt from estate tax.

A lifetime gift of an insurance policy generates a deduction for the value of the policy.

The charitable deduction for a gift that makes payments to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, is the fair market value of the gift asset minus the present value of the income interest you retain.

Please contact Cathy Clement, Director of Philanthropy and Certified Specialist in Planned Giving at (626) 798-6793, extension 2251 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by clicking here for more information.

I Don't See Myself Stopping

Leslie Lyons Story:

Leslie Lyons is the volunteer board member every nonprofit wishes were theirs. She is generous with her time, her talent, her resources and especially her heart.

Leslie became acquainted with Five Acres in 2001 when she was a board member at The Salvation Army and it honored Five Acres with the “Others” award. Five Acres volunteers at the event recognized Leslie as a rising star and recruited her into the San Marino Area Auxiliary. Leslie immediately joined the committee that produced our annual fund raiser, “A Night at the Academy,” and eventually co-chaired its successor, “Swingin’ on a Star.” In 2005, she joined the Five Acres board of directors where she’s served on the finance, program, development and board affairs committees.

Early in her career Leslie joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce where she got hooked on helping at-risk children when she played Mrs. Claus delivering toys to local needy children. She continues this personal connection with vulnerable youth through the San Marino Auxiliary’s Family Friends program for the teenagers living in our group homes as well as our scholarship recipients through support of the Nash Scholarship Fund.

“It’s all about the kids,” Leslie says. “Five Acres is in the forefront. You can feel good about giving your time and money here. There are so many ways to be involved, and I feel appreciated. The people are genuinely fun to be with. I don’t see myself ever stopping!”

When it came time to put her estate plan together, Leslie freely admits that it was her attorney who suggested she include charitable contributions, especially given her involvement with The Salvation Army, Tournament of Roses and Five Acres. “It’s so easy to do. Why not leave something to what you’ve supported?”

For information about remembering Five Acres children and families in your estate planning please contact Cathy Clement, director of philanthropy, at 626.798.6793, extension 2251 or email her at cclement@5acres.org.