Keep New Jersey's Pinelands Forever Green

Join the Ever Green Society
Make a gift of a lifetime and create a conservation Lecacy by including the Pinelands Preservation Alliance in your estate plans.

Protecting the future of New Jersey's Pinelands

Many individuals and couples who love New Jersey's Pinelands see the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) as their champion in saving the Pines forever. To ensure our work continues, they have included PPA in their estate plans.

Since our founding more than twenty years ago, bequests have made an enormous difference to PPA's work. These extraordinary gifts have enabled PPA to weather recessions, carry out special projects, and stay at work as your advocate for the Pines day in and day out, year in and year out.

A Father and Daughter's Joint Legacy

Keeping it in the Family

Dr. Gerard Vriens was one of the first members of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. A chemical engineer, he joined PPA's Board of Trustees in 1996 and served on the board until he passed away in 2010. Jerry was a passionate believer in PPA's work to protect the Pinelands and now his daughter Jennifer is continuing his legacy.

Image of Dr. Gerald Vriens and his daughter, Jennifer.

[+ ZOOM] Dr. Gerald Vriens and his daughter, Jennifer. Jennifer Vriens

Jennifer M. Vriens, Lawrenceville, NJ

"I am very glad to support the Pinelands Preservation Alliance because I believe in its mission and it is a way to honor my father and his passion for the work of the PPA. My bequest to the Pinelands Preservation Alliance is a way to continue his vision far into the future."

Ways of Giving

Gifts Through Your Will

Leaving a bequest to PPA in your will is a simple way to create a conservation legacy. You can do this in many ways, including:

A bequest in your will stating a definite amount, assets like stock or real estate, or a percentage of your estate,
Making PPA a beneficiary of a revocable trust, a retirement plan, or a life insurance plan,
Directing a gift to PPA through a donor advised fund or private foundation succession plan

The benefits of this approach are:

Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.
You can direct your bequest to a particular purpose.
There is no upper limit on the estate tax deductions that can be taken for charitable bequests.

Charitable Gift Annuities

Charitable gift annuities are a way to leave a gift in your will but have the benefit of income from your assets, while gaining significant tax benefits, during your lifetime. PPA works with the Community Foundation of New Jersey to ensure charitable gift annuities are administered to the highest standard.

The benefits of this approach are:

You receive annuity payments during your lifetime.
You also receive tax benefits at the time you create the annuity and each year after that, including federal income tax deductions and avoidance of federal and state inheritance taxes.

Estate plans should be prepared by and with the advice of an attorney to ensure that your intentions are carried out. If you do not know an estate law attorney, we can suggest ways to identify an attorney you would like to work with.

Sample language for Wills and Estate Plans

"I bequeath to the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Inc. (PPA), a non-profit organization, with its principal offices located at 17 Pemberton Road, Southampton, NJ, the sum of $__ (0r % of my residuary estate) to be used at the discretion of its governing body for PPA's ongoing work to preserve the natural and cultural resources of New Jersey's Pinelands."

Please note the sample language above should be written or adapted by legal counsel to fit your individual situation.

Additional Information for Your Attorney

Legal Name: Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Inc.

Address: 17 Pemberton Road, Southampton, NJ 08088

Tax ID#: 52-1641512

PPA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization.

Contact Us

We would be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you might have. And we would love the opportunity to thank you personally for your generosity. PPA has established the Ever Green Society to recognize those who have made these special gifts to the organization. For further information, or to let us know about your gift, please contact Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director, or Becky Free, Director of Philanthropy by phone at 609-859-8860. You can also contact Carleton at Email or Becky at Email.