Clients are admitted voluntarily on referral from a mental health professional or organization. We also welcome self and family referrals. Our staff is readily available to answer your questions about how Skyland Trail can help you, your patient or your loved one.
Skyland Trail pairs comprehensive diagnostic services with evidence-based therapies to help individuals ages 18 and older recover from severe mental illness. Whether a young adult experiencing your first episode of mental illness, or a mid-career professional who has been struggling for years, we can help.
Our comprehensive recovery philosophy integrates mental, physical and spiritual health with community reintegration. Each client has an individualized recovery plan that includes psychiatric services, primary medical care, counseling and adjunctive therapies within a single system.
Family involvement is essential for a client's recovery. We provide a range of opportunities for families to be involved in the recovery journey, including orientation and education, family counseling, and support groups.
Skyland Trail is a nonprofit mental health treatment organization based in Atlanta. For more than 20 years, we have been inspiring people with mental illness to thrive through a holistic program of evidence-based psychiatric treatment, integrated medical care, research and education.
Recovery from mental illness happens step by step, each one an act of courage. We empower clients to keep moving forward, all the way back to a full and satisfying life. By supporting Skyland Trail, you become part of this hopeful, healing journey.
We recognize that you have a unique set of concerns and we encourage you to talk with us directly. We also invite you to schedule a visit or request to receive more information.
Planned giving provides many tax-wise ways to designate your assets that can benefit you and your loved ones, while also making a lasting impact at Skyland Trail. These legacy gifts ensure that Skyland Trail continues to meet the needs of future generations through state-of-the art facilities and innovative, leading-edge treatment programs.
The Cypress Society honors and recognizes the individuals and families who have a made planned giving commitment to Skyland Trail. If you would like to extend your support of our organization through an estate gift, there are many options from which to choose.
Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that lets you provide for your family and support Skyland Trail.
I want to plan a gift based on my…
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The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes include federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results. Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.
If you have not already done so, we invite you to consider joining The Cypress Society. For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Alexander
Grateful Families Program & Planned Giving Director
ealexander@skylandtrail.org
404-709-3172
Betsy & Mark West
“My family and I value this opportunity to build on the legacy of all those who have contributed to the growth of Skyland Trail. It’s paramount to me to ensure that Skyland Trail will always be able to aid individuals and families in their pursuit of recovery.”
— Mark West, Cypress Society Donor
A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Skyland Trail a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.
an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan
Bequest Language"I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Skyland Trail [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."
able to be changed or cancelled
A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.
cannot be changed or cancelled
tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient
the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation
the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase
the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on
The person receiving the gift annuity payments.
the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid
a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will
the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will
A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Skyland Trail or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.
An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.
Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.
Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.
Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.
A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.
You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.
You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Skyland Trail as a lump sum.
You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Skyland Trail as a lump sum.
A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.
A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Skyland Trail where you agree to make a gift to Skyland Trail and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.