Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of real estate gifts are appropriate for the Assets to Acres program?
   
   The most readily convertible real estate gifts are houses, cottages, condominiums, or cabins with or without attached land. Undeveloped property without structures is also appropriate. Property zoned for either residential or commercial use is acceptable.
2. Can I give land that has conservation value and be sure that the Forest Society will protect that land even if it is sold?
   
   Yes. The Forest Society’s policy is to carefully evaluate every gift of land and to protect its important conservation attributes even if we don’t keep it.
3. Do you refuse some gifts of real estate?
   
   Yes. The Forest Society will fully inspect a property before accepting it. We will only accept gifts of land and buildings after determining that they contain no significant hazardous wastes or other potential liabilities. We cannot accept gifts of contaminated land or buildings, or properties with title defects or unclear ownership issues. Sometimes a proposed gift with very low value may not be accepted because the cost of the staff time required to convert the asset to cash would exceed the value of the donation.
4. Can I give a property and retain use of it during my life time? Or give it through my will?
   
   Yes. On some real estate gifts made to the Forest Society, the donor retains a “life estate” that allows him or her to continue living on the property for the remainder of his or her lifetime. The donor may continue to pay taxes and to cover the cost of maintenance, but the property would be removed from the value of the estate. When the owner dies or releases the estate, the Forest Society the sells the property and uses the proceeds to support the organization’s land protection mission.
5. Can I specify how and where I would like my donation to be used?
   
   Yes. In some cases, donors have specified that of the proceeds from donated land or buildings be applied to a particular project or region. For example, a recently donated house lot in Freedom was designated to help conserve nearby Green Mountain.