Herbert and Linda Hall truly embodied the spirit of philanthropy and all that is represented in charitable giving through the bequests realized upon their deaths in 1941 and 1938, respectively.

In addition to leaving their estate property, the Halls also left a $7.5 million endowment that has since built two library buildings providing 180,000 square feet of free public research library space and amassed a collection exceeding 1 million volumes.

In establishing the Herbert and Linda Hall (HLH) Society, we honor the extraordinary contribution made by these two individuals, and the physical, permanent legacy that they created with their foresight and generosity.

Through the HLH Society, we honor those who have chosen to include the Linda Hall Library in their estate plans or in a planned gift arrangement. HLH members’generosity will not only benefit future generations to come but will also help build awareness of what is possible through charitable giving vehicles. Gifts received through an individual’s planned giving instrument help build the endowment assuring a strong and sustaining future for the Linda Hall Library.

• Contribute Now
• Friends Membership
• Making a Gift Now
• Making a Future Gift
• Donor's Rights

Making a Gift Now

Several tax-savings methods are available that help support the general operations of the Linda Hall Library including the History of Science program. You make your contribution online using our secured server, make a gift over the telephone by calling 816 926-8752, or mail your donation to the Linda Hall Library.

Cash Gift

Gifts made to the Linda Hall Annual Giving Fund help support the general operations of the organization. You can choose to make a gift online or send your gift to the Linda Hall Library.

Securities

When you make a gift of appreciated securities, you can deduct the current full market value of the stocks and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation value from original cost. If you are interested in donating stocks or securities, please contact the development officer at the Linda Hall Library at 816 926-8752 or email plannedgiving@lindahall.org.

Making a Gift for the Future

Charitable Bequests

Individuals making deferred gifts (gifts by will, trust, gift annuity, life insurance, remainder interests in real estate or other options that can be discussed with the Development Office) become distinguished members of the Herbert and Linda Hall Society. The HLH Society is named to recognize the philanthropy of Herbert & Linda Hall and all that has been made possible by their generous foresight.

A charitable bequest for the Linda Hall Library is made possible through your will when it is written or revised. You might also add a bequest through a codicil, a separate document consisting of an amendment to your existing will.

The following text illustrates bequest language that can be used in your will. You should consult an attorney to adapt this language to your individual circumstances and desires.

A specific bequest is a gift of a particular gift amount or a particular piece of property. An example of text in your will may include:

"I bequeath (dollar amount or description of property) to the Linda Hall Library Trusts."

A residuary bequest is a gift of all or part of the property remaining in your estate after all previous financial commitments have been honored. When you use a percentage instead of a specific amount, your gift will stay relatively the same in proportion to your entire estate, regardless of increased or decreased value. An example of text in your will may include:

"I give, bequeath, and devise (all, or a percentage of) the rest, residue, and remainder of the property, both real and personal, wherever situated, which I may own or be entitled to at my death, to the Linda Hall Library Trusts."

If you are interested in making a planned gift for a specific purpose (i.e. to be used for other purpose besides endowment), please contact the development officer at the Linda Hall Library.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a simple contract between you and the Linda Hall Library Trusts. In exchange for your gift of cash or securities (minimum amount is required), the Library agrees to pay you and/or someone else a fixed sum each year for life. In most cases, part of each payment is tax-free, increasing each payment's after-tax value. At the time of your gift, you are entitled to a charitable income tax deduction, and at your death, the Library receives the balance of your Gift Annuity.

Charitable Remainder Trust

The Charitable Remainder Trust offers the most flexibility of all the life income gift arrangements. You transfer assets (usually cash, securities or real estate) to a trustee of your choice through a formal trust agreement. If appreciated property is donated, no capital gains tax is due on the transfer, and your income tax deduction is based on the fair market value of the donated assets. During the trust term, which could be your lifetime or a set term of years, the trustee invests the trust assets and makes annual payments to you and/or a loved one, based on the trust payout rate chosen by you. At your death or at the end of the trust term, the principal is distributed to the Library. There are two kinds of Charitable Remainder Trust, one that pays a fixed income (Annuity Trust) and one that pays a variable income (Unitrust).

Retirement Plans

When retirement plans such as pension funds, 401ks, Keoghs and IRAs are left to an individual other than a spouse at your death, they are subject to income taxes and estate taxes. The two taxes combined could erode up to 80% of the remaining benefits! If bequeathed to the Library, these funds would escape all taxes. The Library would receive 100% of the remaining benefit in your retirement plan, and the assets in the plan would be removed from your taxable estate. If you are planning to include the Library in your estate plans, the most effective way to do so is to leave all or part of your retirement plan to the Library, setting aside other assets for friends and family. All you need to do is contact the administrator of your retirement plan and inform them that you wish to give all or part of the remainder to the Linda Hall Library Trusts.

Life Insurance

If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed for the protection of your family or for other purposes, you may use it to make a gift to the Linda Hall Library. The simplest way to give a life insurance policy to the Library is to name the Linda Hall Library Trusts as the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of the policy. In doing so, you qualify for an income tax deduction for the cash value of the policy. Alternatively, you could simply name the Library as the beneficiary of the policy. In this case, your estate would be entitled to an estate tax deduction equal to the value of the policy.

Charitable Lead Trust

A non-grantor charitable lead trust is a gift plan that allows you to transfer assets to your family at reduced tax cost while you make generous gifts to the Library. You transfer assets (usually cash or securities) to a trustee of your choice through a formal trust agreement. During the trust term, the trustee invests the trust assets and makes annual income payments to one or more charities. When the trust term ends, the trust distributes all of its assets, including any appreciation, to your heirs. Rather than receiving an income tax deduction for this gift, you receive a gift tax deduction, which partially or even fully offsets the gift tax due on the transfer to your family.

For more information on how to join the HLH Society through a gift that is planned today to benefit LHL in the future, please contact the Development Office at the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering & Technology by calling (816) 926.8752 or write to us at 5109 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64110 or email plannedgiving@lindahall.org.

The information contained on this site is to be used as general information only. It is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult with your attorney or financial planner regarding your personal situation. All gifts are subject to acceptance by Linda Hall Library Trust representatives.