Estate and Gift Planning - The Wildlife Legacy Society

The Wildlife Legacy Society recognizes individuals whose generosity and foresight have provided a lasting commitment to wildlife conservation through estate and planned gifts.

Bequests and other planned gifts from forward-thinking individuals play a crucial role in Wildlife Conservation Network's continued ability to save endangered species by supporting innovative and effective conservation entrepreneurs.

If you have decided to leave a legacy and feel comfortable letting us know, please contact us so that we may list your name in the Wildlife Legacy Society section of our Annual Report.

If you are considering including WCN in your estate planning, we hope this information will help you make choices on the gifts that can help you accomplish multiple goals with your donation. Making a planned gift to WCN offers you a flexible and simple way to combine your love of wildlife with financial planning. A planned gift may help you give more to wildlife conservation than you thought possible while still providing you or someone you designate with favorable financial and/or tax benefits. All gifts will be used for the highest good toward preserving animals and their habitats for generations to come.

Listed below are some examples of the types of assets you can use to fund a planned gift to Wildlife Conservation Network. This information is meant as a general guide about ways of giving and potential financial benefits and is not meant to provide tax or legal advice. Before making a gift, you should consult with your attorney or financial advisor.

Types of Gifts

Will or Revocable Trust
Through your will or revocable living trust you can specify some or all of your assets come to WCN after your lifetime and which species you would like to support.

Retirement Plan
Naming WCN as one of the beneficiaries or sole beneficiary of your retirement plan is a simple way to support WCN. In addition, the proceeds would be tax free for WCN, whereas the income would be taxable to your heirs.

Life Insurance
When your family's needs change and you no longer feel you need a life insurance policy, designating WCN as beneficiary or sole owner of your policy is a simple, tax-efficient way to give. After your lifetime, the benefits from your policy pass to WCN free of federal estate tax.

Bank, Brokerage and Other Accounts
Naming WCN as the beneficiary of an account, such as a bank or brokerage account, or an asset, such as a certificate of deposit (CD), means the asset will pass directly to WCN after your lifetime.

Click here for Legal Designation Language to include WCN in your estate plans.

For more information, please contact the WCN office at 650-949-3533