Shirley's Legacy
Planned Giving Program

Planned giving is a unique charitable tool that allows you to support The Elephant Sanctuary’s mission for many years to come. When you make a planned gift to The Elephant Sanctuary, you become a member of Shirley's Legacy Giving Program and help ensure safe haven and lifetime care for these intelligent and complex animals.

Information needed for making your gift

Legal Name & Address: 

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
804 Darbytown Rd
PO Box 393
Hohenwald, TN 38462

Tax ID or EIN #: 62-1587327

Contact: Lorenda Rochelle, Donor & VIP Programs Manager, 931-796-6500 ext. 105, lorenda@elephants.com.

Please notify us of your planned gift by submitting the information at the top of the page and sending us a copy of your legal document, if applicable.

If you prefer to submit your information by mail, please download file here and mail to The Elephant Sanctuary, PO Box 393, Hohenwald, TN 38462.

Licensing information: We are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation, licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Giving Opportunities

There are a number of planned giving opportunities that allow you to name The Elephant Sanctuary as a beneficiary.

Will Bequests are one of the most common planned giving arrangements. You can create a bequest of any dollar amount, gift specific property or designate a percentage of your estate in your will.

Revocable Living Trusts are a popular estate planning tool that can allow you to maintain control of your estate while avoiding probate.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts provide you with a fixed annual payment for life. At the end of the arrangement, the remaining trust assets are distributed to your designated charity.  (This must be arranged through your financial institution.)

Life Insurance Gifts are an affordable way to make a significant planned gift.

Retirement Plan Assets can include a gift from your IRA, 401K, pension or another tax-deferred plan.

However you wish to support The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, we recommend that you contact your legal and tax advisors that are specifically trained in handling planned gifts. The information provided is intended to assist with your planned giving, but is by no means to be construed as legal advice.

Bequest Language

A charitable bequest through your will or trust is one of the most common planned giving arrangements. There are, however, different kinds of bequests and each requires the use of specific language to indicate exactly how you want your final wishes carried out.

GENERAL CHARITABLE BEQUESTS are based on the general value of the estate and are made by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset or a fixed percentage of your estate. General bequest language:

“I give, devise and bequeath to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee the sum of $_________ (or a description of the specific asset or property).”

SPECIFIC CHARITABLE BEQUESTS designate that a particular item or property is bequeathed for a designated purpose (i.e., art bequeathed to the Sanctuary for use at a fundraising auction; dollar funds to be used for the endowment for Shirley). Specific bequest language:

“I give, devise and bequeath to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee the sum of $____________ (or a description of the specific asset or property), for the benefit of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee to be used for the following purpose: (*State the Purpose).  If, at any time, the Board of Directors of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee determines, in their sole and absolute discretion, that it is impossible or impracticable to carry out the designated purpose of this bequest, the Board of Directors shall have the absolute and unilateral right to determine an alternative purpose for the bequest that they determine most closely approximates the purpose stated herein.”

RESIDUARY CHARITABLE BEQUESTS are designations that concern the remaining portion of the estate after all other terms of your will have been satisfied. Residuary bequest language:

“All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, real, personal and mixed, of every nature and wheresoever situated, including lapsed legacies and devises, remainders, reversions, expectancies, and income collected during the period of administration of my estate, I give, devise and bequeath to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.”

Recognizing Your Gift

To recognize your commitment and inspire generosity in others, we will say thank you in the following ways: 

  • Subscription to our triannual newsletter, Trunklines
  • Periodic discounts on merchandise
  • Invitations to special Sanctuary events
  • List you as a member of Shirley's Legacy Planned Giving Program on our Donor Recognition materials
  • Name recognition on a Legacy Society Display

The most important benefit you will receive from becoming a member of Shirley's Legacy Planned Giving Program is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to the elephants' future.

As always, please let us know if you wish to remain anonymous for your gift.

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