gifts of REAL ESTATE

You can donate farmland, natural lands, or a lot in town to become a new park or conservation area (if feasible).

You can also donate other real estate, like a cabin, vacation home, business, or residence specifically for the Conservancy to sell, and apply those funds to local conservation.

This can be a tax-savvy way to protect the land and water that makes southern Illinois special.

These gifts will likely eliminate capital gains tax, provide you with income tax and/or estate tax benefits, and reduce the hassle of property taxes and maintenance. (Check with your financial advisor about tax deductibility and benefits). 

But perhaps, even more importantly, it’s a way for you to make a lasting difference at a time when you are needed more than ever.

How does a gift of real estate work?

HeartLands Conservancy will work with you to assess the best scenario for donating a gift of property. Upon acceptance, the Conservancy could conserve the land, continue to farm it (if its farmland), restore it to habitat, or convert it to a public space, like a park.

In other scenarios where full conservation of the land isn’t feasible, we would conserve any parts that have conservation value and then sell it, with the proceeds going towards conserving important lands and waters for people and wildlife, including recreation. 

Can I donate property outside of Southern Illinois?

Yes. Many people donate property that they own in other states or regions. We would work with you and your advisers to evaluate the best way to handle such a gift. For many landowners, this allows them to simplify their estate or day-to-day management responsibilities and reduce property taxes.

What kinds of properties does the HeartLands Conservancy accept?

Properties can be commercial, residential, or open land (woodlands, wetlands, prairie, agricultural lands, and waterfront). We assess each potential gift to ensure no significant barriers to ownership or resale, such as contamination, liens on the title, or family disputes. The lands can be out of state, as well. 

Can I donate property without any buildings?

Yes. If you donate a property with important conservation features, we would conserve it and either keep it as a public conservation area or protect it and then sell it to a conservation landowner, so it would be conserved forever. If we sell it, all proceeds go to our conservation efforts. 

Can I retain life use of the building or property?

Yes. If you want to reserve a “life estate,” we can work with you to make that happen. You would be responsible for the maintenance and taxes during your lifetime, and when you no longer wanted to reside there, the property would transfer to us.