Gifts from Wills & Beneficiary Designations

By including the Fort Vancouver National Trust in our estate plans, it’s nice to know that we will help continue to build and preserve this important historical regional treasure for future generations to learn about our history and enjoy. As an added benefit, we were able to make the gift from our IRA to help lessen the estate tax burdens for our family.

Ward and Lois Cook, Charter Members of the Lynch Society, are making a gift from their IRA.

Bequests

A bequest is one of the easiest ways you can support the Trust. You may make a bequest in your will or trust directing a gift to the Trust. With the help of your legal advisor, your bequest can be made as a percentage of your estate, a specific dollar amount or from the residue of your estate.

  • Your beneficiaries will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction.
  • You will lessen the tax burdens on your family.

Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

A bequest can also be made from retirement accounts, such as an IRA (individual retirement account). An IRA bequest is an excellent option for a gift because it allows you to leave a legacy while passing the gift to the Trust outside of your estate thereby allowing the gift to pass tax-free.

  • Your beneficiaries will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction.
  • The full value of the account transferred to the Trust transfers tax free.

Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation

Similar to wills or retirements accounts, a life insurance policy also makes an excellent gift to leave your legacy. For instance, if your life insurance policy is no longer needed to support your survivors, it can be turned over as a gift.

  • If you make a gift of a life insurance policy to us today, contributions you make to the premiums may provide you with a charitable deduction.
  • Alternatively, you can name the Trust as a beneficiary. Although the policy will be included in your taxable estate, you will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of the gift.

Please speak with your financial consultant or wealth management advisor when considering a planned gift.