
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Keystone Conservation Trust and why was it established?
What is the difference between Keystone Conservation Trust and the Legacy Property Fund?
How is KCT different from a land trust or other environmental organization?
KCT's work supports and enhances the work being done by land trusts and others, rather than competing with it. Our goal is to increase the speed with which conservation objectives are achieved and boost the capacity of the conservation community to carry out its urgent work. KCT is focused on substantially increasing the funding for land protection, improving the strategic preparedness of emerging partnerships to manage change effectively, and directing critical resources where they are needed, when they are needed. In so doing, we seek to help conservation practitioners more rapidly achieve the permanent protection of the important landscapes of Pennsylvania.
KCT accomplishes this first by increasing the amount of capital available for conservation projects by accepting, liquidating and re-distributing real estate donations and public penalties through KCT's Legacy Property Fund. Second, we work with organizations in establishing and strengthening collaborative efforts in large landscapes, integrating the disciplines of strategic planning, conservation strategy, change management and finance. Third, KCT identifies, develops and advances the best conservation practices to effectively conserve large-scale landscapes. KCT's role is to accelerate conservation results by helping other conservation organizations reach new levels of success.
KCT also differs from other conservation groups in our scope. Whereas the work of land trusts and watershed organizations is typically focused on a specific geographic area, and other environmental groups may focus on a particular area of interest such as protecting wildlife or farmland, KCT's approach is to facilitate the most important conservation work of the day without regard to geographic boundaries or mission constraints. We provide resources to help the conservation community achieve results faster and more effectively wherever or whatever their focus might be.
Is contributing to KCT similar to supporting a community foundation?
How does the Legacy Property Fund differ from an endowment?
In contrast to endowments, which provide an ongoing source of funds over a sustained period of time, the Legacy Property Fund (LPF) fills an immediate, capital need for conservation and philanthropy ? funds to support organizations chosen by our donors as well as conservation projects where the threats are imminent and irreplaceable landscapes are about to be lost. At a time when our open spaces are rapidly disappearing and public funds are insufficient to meet today's conservation needs, the LPF will provide a means of closing the funding gap and allowing imperiled lands to be protected forever.
Like an endowment, the LPF pools together the gifts of many contributors to achieve a more substantial impact for change. Unlike endowments, the LPF redistributes 98% of the net proceeds to charities. Donors benefit from realizing a very high return on their contribution, knowing that their contributions are put to work quickly, providing essential support at critical junctures of need. By enabling at-risk lands to be preserved and safeguarded, LPF donations secure a legacy of beautiful and pristine landscapes for the enjoyment of future generations and the ongoing benefit of the native wildlife of our area.
What are the benefits to the donor of giving to the Legacy Property Fund?
LPF provides a major gifting opportunity for the charitable donor interested in making a significant contribution in support of open space protection efforts. By using an asset which may not have previously been considered in personal financial planning, LPF helps these Legacy Property donors realize key personal philanthropic goals.
At the same time, property donations to LPF provide immediate and substantial tax benefits to the donor, offering opportunities to reduce capital gains, income and estate taxes. With homes that have experienced significant appreciation, these tax benefits can be substantial. By shifting the home from being an estate tax burden to a gifting asset in their wealth management portfolio, KCT's Legacy Property Fund provides a winning solution for philanthropic landowners.
Significantly, donors may continue to live in and enjoy the use of their homes for as long as they wish after donation to LPF. Donor properties may also be permanently protected through conservation easements if so desired.
Working with KCT has additional benefits to our donors such as eliminating the sales-related costs and transaction hassles associated with the sale of the donated property. Our approach also provide a seamless complement to the donor's present arrangements as we work closely with donors and their financial advisors to ensure a fit with their individual financial needs and charitable goals.(See Legacy Property Fund Benefits)
How will the money be used?
How else does KCT support land conservation efforts?
Who is KCT working with?
Latest News
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Recent Project
Pennypack
The Pennypack Greenway is a wooded oasis in a highly built-out setting
at the margins of Philadelphia. Encompassing three protected areas within
both Philadelphia and Montgomery counties (the Pennypack Park, Lorimer
Park, and the Pennypack Preserve), the Pennypack watershed houses over 2600
acres of publicly accessible protected lands. Conservation challenges ...
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