Bill's Legacy League
The Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation has established Bill's Legacy League to recognize our philanthropic friends who make deferred or planned gifts to the Sequoia Park Zoo. This select group is open to anyone who names Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation as a beneficiary in his or her will, charitable trust, or life insurance policy.
Planned Giving Helps Future Generations
The Sequoia Park Zoo has been an integral part of the community for over 100 years, and we will be around for many more to come. It is our goal to support the Zoo in it’s mission to inspire wonder, understanding and respect for the natural world. Sequoia Park Zoo provides fun, rewarding educational experiences that encourage meaningful connections between animals, humans, and our environment.
A planned gift to the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation through your will is a wonderful way to support a cause you believe in and to make a lasting difference. With a planned gift to the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation, you can experience the deep personal satisfaction of knowing you are helping to ensure the Sequoia Park Zoo’s future.
Benefits of Planned Giving
A gift to the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation through your will or estate plan is a powerful statement of your support for our community. Through planned giving, you may be able to increase your current income or provide additional retirement income, while reducing income tax and estate taxes. Some gifts virtually eliminate estate taxes while others greatly reduce the amount of tax you are responsible for during your lifetime. It is important to explore your options with an estate planning attorney to maximize your tax benefits.
Bequests, Wills & Trusts
- Leave a specific dollar amount
- Designate a percentage of your estate be given through your will or living trust.
- Give only the remainder, or residue, of your estate- that which remains after bequests to loved ones have been made.
- Provide for a gift of specific property—real estate, stocks or other items.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity is a contract between you and the Sequoia Park Zoo that enables you to make a gift that guarantees payments to you and/or a loved one for life. A portion of your annuity payments may be tax-free. A charitable gift annuity also entitles you to partial income tax charitable deduction and may provide capital gains and estate tax benefits. After your lifetime, the remainder of your gift will support the work of the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation.
Retirement Plans
You can create a legacy by naming the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), Keogh account, or other qualified retirement plan. Upon your death all or a portion of the unused balance in your account is transferred to SPZF as a charitable gift.
Life Insurance Gifts
Life insurance policies are a meaningful and often overlooked way to make a charitable gift. One way to do this is to make the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. Another is to transfer ownership of a paid up policy to SPZF, thus receiving an immediate tax deduction. You can also take out a policy and make SPZF the owner and beneficiary—the annual premiums become a tax-deduction for you.
Should you choose to include Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation in your estate plans, allow us to show our deep appreciation for your generosity by informing us of your decision. For more information about the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation’s Planned Giving Program contact: Nicole Spencer, Development Director (707) 442-5649.
