Planned Giving

While some of the ways to provide for the Seattle Aquarium are relatively sophisticated, the most popular ones are quite simple:

• Through a charitable bequest in your will or living trust, you can leave the Aquarium a precise sum of money, a specific asset (e.g., “100 shares of XYZ Corporation stock”) or all or a percentage of what remains after taking into account expenses and other bequests. If need be, a bequest can be modified over time and can also be made contingent (i.e., “If my spouse does not survive me, then I give ___________.”).
   
• A beneficiary designation can direct that all or a portion of the value of a financial arrangement remaining at the end of your life be distributed to the Seattle Aquarium. Examples include insurance policies, annuity contracts and bank or investment accounts—especially an IRA or a qualified plan such as a 401(k). Leaving these retirement funds to the Aquarium results in tax savings, versus having them distributed to family members or other taxpaying recipients (for whom different estate assets will be more appropriate). In addition, beneficiary designations are even easier to change than bequest provisions are, plus they avoid the probate process.