Give

Bequest Donations

A Gift for Future Generations

For those of us who love animals, what more meaningful legacy could we leave than a gift which ensures compassionate care for animals in need? Planned gifts to the Humane Society of Sonoma County, such as a bequest in your will or trust, help to secure the future of our donor-supported safe haven for animals. Every gift, large and small, makes a significant difference to the animals – and you have a wide range of options, many of which offer significant tax benefits. To make it simple for our supporters, we’ve partnered with FreeWill: a free online resource that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will and making a legacy gift in just 20 minutes. As you work with your attorney, estate planner or financial advisor, consider making a charitable contribution to the Humane Society of Sonoma County in one of the following ways.

Bequest
A designated gift in your will or living trust is perhaps the simplest form of planned giving and the vehicle most commonly used. If you’ve already included the Humane Society of Sonoma County in your estate plans, please fill out this form to let us know so we can thank you and update our records!

Non-probate Assets
Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? These are called non-probate assets and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately. You can also use this online tool to designate the Humane Society of Sonoma County as a beneficiary of these assets to create a legacy with us.

Charitable Remainder Trust
A gift of assets establishes a trust and names the Humane Society of Sonoma County as ultimate beneficiary. You receive valuable tax benefits during your lifetime and retain for life the income generated from the assets given to the trust.

Donor Advised Fund
A giving vehicle established with a community foundation or charitable branch of an investment firm, you may contribute to your DAF as often as you like, receive immediate tax benefits and recommend grants from your fund to HSSC over time.

Gift of Stock
With a transfer of appreciated stock to HSSC, you receive a charitable deduction based on market price and avoid capital gains tax.

Retirement Account Required Minimum Distribution
A charitable gift to HSSC directly from your retirement account helps you fulfill your RMD and achieve associated tax benefits while supporting the animals.

Retirement Accounts
Designating the Humane Society of Sonoma County as a beneficiary is an excellent way for you to make a gift to the Humane Society, using an asset that otherwise might be heavily taxed.

Real Estate Gift
You may irrevocably transfer the ownership of a home or farm to the Humane Society of Sonoma County, retain the right to occupy the premises for the rest of your life and receive an immediate charitable tax deduction.

Life Insurance
Donating an existing life insurance policy can offer you a charitable income tax deduction.

For more information, please contact Priscilla Locke
Director of Development and Communications
tel: (707) 577-1911 or
plocke@humanesocietysoco.org