The Elms Planned Giving Society

You can make a lasting contribution to Skowhegan and support future generations of artists by designating Skowhegan as a beneficiary of your estate plan through a bequest, charitable trust, retirement plan or insurance policy. Skowhegan is unable to accept bequests of artwork, real estate, or other assets without prior written confirmation from a Skowhegan officer.

By making a planned gift, you are invited to join The Elms. The Elms was established in honor of Skowhegan's 75th Anniversary to recognize artists, individuals, and families who choose to provide for Skowhegan 's future by including the school in their estate plans.

Members of The Elms are:

  • Listed with gratitude in Skowhegan's Annual Report and on its website

  • Presented with a pin representing the Elm as a symbol of membership

Let us know if you intend to include, or have included, a gift to Skowhegan in your estate plans, and would like to be acknowledged as a member of The Elms—Skowhegan’s Planned Giving circle.

Please fill download and fill out the bequest form below and return to us by mail at 136 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10011.

We will contact you with further details.

Wish to speak with someone directly about a planned giving gift? Please contact:

Cerrie Bamford
Deputy Director, Development + Events
cbamford@skowheganart.org / 1.212.529.0505

All inquiries are confidential.

  • Gifts of IRAs, 401(k)s, or other qualified plans require no “upfront” cash. You simply designate Skowhegan as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plan through your plan administrator. You can continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime and even change the beneficiary if your circumstances change. After your lifetime, the residue of your plan passes to Skowhegan tax-free.

    Benefits Include:

    • You can escape both income AND estate tax levied on the residue left in your retirement account by leaving it to Skowhegan

    • You can continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime

    • You can revoke Skowhegan as a beneficiary if your circumstances change

    • You have the satisfaction of making a significant gift to Skowhegan later on

  • You can simply designate Skowhegan as the beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) of an existing life insurance policy – and continue to own the policy as before.

    Benefits Include:

    • You part with nothing during your lifetime

    • You continue to own the policy and retain the right to change beneficiaries if insurance proceeds are paid to Skowhegan after your lifetime, your estate may be entitled to tax benefits because of the gift

  • A gift to Skowhegan in your will or revocable trust will safeguard Skowhegan's autonomy and our commitment to provide an open and accessible experience for artists from around the world. This flexible planning tool may be an ideal way for you to meet your personal philanthropic objectives while also supporting Skowhegan.

    A bequest:

    • Is easy to arrange

    • Will not alter your current lifestyle in any way

    • Can be easily modified to address your changing needs

    • May provide tax benefits to your family or heirs

    Bequests are a flexible planning tool that may be the ideal way for you to meet your personal objectives while also supporting Skowhegan. You can provide now for a future gift to Skowhegan by including a bequest provision in your will or revocable living trust.

  • The most useful bequest is an unrestricted bequest for the general purposes of the School. This permits Skowhegan to use your gift wherever it is most needed at the time.

    Example: "I give, devise and bequeath [the sum of ___ dollars], [all or ___ percent of the rest, remainder and residue of my estate of every kind and description (including lapsed legacies and devises)] to Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, 136 West 22 Street, New York, New York, for its general corporate purposes."

    Suggested language for a specific purpose: "I give, devise and bequeath [the sum of ___ dollars], [all or ____ percent of the rest, remainder and residue of my estate of every kind and description (including lapsed legacies and devises)] to Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, 136 West 22 Street, New York, New York, to create an endowment fund which, subject to the School’s endowment spending rule, is to be used for the following purpose: [state the purpose]."

    Important Note: If you do specify a use for your bequest, the following language will ensure that your gift will always remain productive: "If at any time in the judgment of the Trustees of Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture the designated use of this bequest is no longer practicable or appropriate, then the Trustees shall use the bequest to further the general purposes of the School, giving consideration, where possible, to my special interest as described above."