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Planned Giving

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A planned gift to the Seattle Aquarium will leave a lasting impact that benefits our marine environment for generations to come. It’s a permanent statement of your values—a way to tell the world what you’ve stood for. And whatever you may have in mind, the Aquarium can be a helpful source of ideas and information.

Charitable Bequest

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 ___________.”).

Beneficiary Designation

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.

Thinking of making a planned gift?

Please fill out our confidential planned gift notification form below so we can learn whatever information you may wish to share—and express our appreciation on an ongoing basis!

Planned gift notification form (online form)
Planned gift notification form (PDF)

We would be happy to work with you and your legal, tax and financial advisors in determining how you might best proceed. Please contact our Major Gifts Officer Jason Puz at j.puz@seattleaquarium.org to get started and be sure your advisors have the following basic information:

Legal name: Seattle Aquarium Society
Address: 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle, WA 98101
Employer identification number: 91-1189249

This is not professional legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal and tax advisors regarding your particular situation.

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Website maintenance

Our ticketing and membership systems will be undergoing maintenance starting at 10pm Pacific on Wednesday, March 5. Maintenance is expected to last a few hours. During the maintenance window you may not be able to purchase tickets or access the membership dashboard.

Thank you for understanding.

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Support the Seattle Aquarium

End the year with a gift for our one world ocean! Support the Aquarium’s work as a conservation organization by making a donation by December 31, 2024.

Make a donation

Today only, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 thanks to the generosity of Betsy Cadwallader, Jess and Andy Peet, and an anonymous donor.

Share your love for the ocean
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