Gift & Estate Planning

Skyline Divide Trail. By Trevor Anderson.

Hikers today benefit from the generosity and foresight of our predecessors. These hikers of yore fought tirelessly for Wilderness designations; they helped champion the first environmental protections; and they created a tradition of volunteer stewardship for trails.

Hikers today can leave a legacy just as powerful, through their volunteer work and activism for trails. They can also make financial gifts that will protect trails long into the future.

A planned gift to Washington Trails Association is a powerful and thoughtful way to share your dedication to Washington's trails and wildlands with future generations.

WTA’s tax ID number is 91-0900134.

Bequests

One simple way to protect trails for the future is to leave a charitable bequest to Washington Trails Association.

A bequest to Washington Trails Association is free from federal and state taxes. The amount of the bequest is deducted from your estate total, offering substantial savings by decreasing the value of the estate subject to taxation. There is no limit to the amount of your estate that can be left to charitable organizations.

For gifts that take effect after your lifetime, we suggest you name Washington Trails Association as follows: "...Washington Trails Association, a nonprofit membership organization, incorporated by the laws of the State of Washington, having as its principal address 705 Second Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104."

Retirement Plans

You may name Washington Trails Association as a beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts. Gifts from pension plans are issued free of federal taxes.

Life Insurance

Life insurance policies allow several ways to give. You can donate a paid policy that you no longer need by naming Washington Trails Association as the beneficiary and policy owner. In return, you will receive an immediate tax deduction based on your cost basis in the policy, and it will reduce the value of your estate by the full face value of the policy, potentially reducing estate taxes. Upon your death, the life insurance proceeds will be passed on to Washington Trails Association.

Questions?

We suggest that you involve a legal advisor in making changes to your estate. If you have any questions about how these gifts are accepted or used by Washington Trails Association, please contact Rebecca Lavigne, development director, at 206-625-1367 or rebecca@wta.org.