Planned Giving

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A Legacy of Loving Animals

It’s clear, you’re passionate about animals. You want to make sure they’re cared for, find loving homes, and that the people who love them have the tools they need to keep them safe and healthy.

You make the time to ensure we’re funded on an annual basis. You participate in our fun contests, donate through our direct mail, chip in for emergency campaigns, and even make those critical year-end donations.

Now we invite you to consider investing in the AWLA’s future by including us in your planned giving choices and let our work be the vehicle for your legacy for years to come.

Through a personalized planned giving arrangement, you can assure yourself a lifelong income, realize major and immediate tax savings, pass important assets to your children and leave a legacy of someone who truly loved animals.

Please consider the planned giving options the AWLA is prepared to receive:

  • Qualified retirement plans, such as IRAs or 401k accounts: When you name the AWLA as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, you won’t pay income taxes on the distribution of the assets and you’ll receive a tax deduction for the charitable contribution, which can be used to offset your estate taxes. What’s better, because the AWLA is a 501c3 and does not pay income tax, we will receive the full amount of your retirement account.
  • Life Insurance: Gifts of life insurance may be made by purchasing a life insurance policy and making the AWLA its owner and beneficiary. You receive a deduction for the annual premiums you pay. You may also contribute an existing policy and can deduct from your taxes its cash surrender value. If you donate the ownership of a fully paid policy, you may receive a deduction for its replacement value.
  • Bequest: Bequests are simply gifts made through a will or trust. While we understand those donors who decide to include the AWLA in their will or trust are motivated by the desire to provide us with meaningful financial support, tax rewards can also be important. Since every dollar that is given to the AWLA through a bequest is 100% tax deductible, in certain cases, tax benefits can permit you to give more to the AWLA at significantly less after-tax costs than their other beneficiaries. 
    • Sample language to include in bequests: “I hereby give, devise, and bequest to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, tax ID/EIN is 54-0796610, a nonprofit organization now, or formerly, located at 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA. the sum of $_____* (or % of) to be used for its general purposes.” 

Next Steps

For more information on which planned gift option makes the most sense for you, we recommend you speak with an estate planner. 

For more information on how your planned gift can make an impact on the work of the AWLA, please contact the Development team at Development@AlexandriaAnimals.org or 703.746.4774.

If you do include us in your planned giving, please be sure to let us know! We would love to recognize you for your generous gesture.

Do you have a plan for your pet?

While the AWLA is always here to care for animals in need, the best course of action is to include your pet in your estate planning. To find out more information about how to do this, discuss your plans with your estate planner or click here.