Two young boys sit on a bench with notebooks, one pointing to something off-frame. They are in front of a large black-and-white historical photograph of a shirtless man with a mustache. The boys appear to be engaged in a museum activity.

Estate Planning

Make a lasting contribution to future generations by joining the Williams Society.

Planned Giving

Kemper and Leila Williams founded the Historic New Orleans Collection through their wills, establishing a vision for their estate that became a world-renowned institution. HNOC’s Williams Society carries on that legacy, helping people connect their estates to our mission in ways that suit each individual.

Benefts of Planned Giving

In addition to supporting charitable organizations, planned giving presents several possible benefits:

• bypassing capital gains taxes
• reducing current income taxes
• reducing federal estate taxes
• increasing current income
• conserving future assets for heirs

Williams Society

Like the Williamses, members of the Society create a lasting legacy by helping document and promote the unique history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Should you decide to include HNOC in your estate plan or have already done so, your gift will be honored with an acknowledgment of your membership in the Williams Society. You may, of course, elect not to be recognized and remain anonymous.

Two children in a museum exhibit. One child points at a tablet on the wall while wearing headphones. The other child writes on a notepad. They are surrounded by framed text and images.

Sample Language & Brochure

To be reviewed by your attorney:
“I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, ____ percent of my net residuary estate (or the sum of $____, or the rest and residue of my estate after payment of the foregoing bequests). This is an unrestricted gift and may be used to further the mission of the Historic New Orleans Collection.”

Upon request, we are pleased to provide the necessary tax exemption letter to your attorney or financial advisor.

For more information, HNOC offers the booklet Giving through Your Will free of charge. For a copy of the booklet or additional information regarding the Williams Society, or if you have already included HNOC in your estate plan, please contact Lily Stanford at (504) 598-7155.

Gift of Securities

Many donors find that a gift of appreciated stock is the most advantageous contribution because they receive a tax deduction based on the full market value of the shares, without realizing capital gains when the stock is sold by HNOC.