Planned Giving
Planned Giving
Your legacy fuels the fight for a healthy and just world. Make Friends of the Earth part of your life story by naming us in your will, trust, retirement plans, or financial accounts. These gifts provide lasting support for the planet.
Creating Your Will
Friends of the Earth has partnered with FreeWill to provide a simple and free way to create or update your will. Including a gift to Friends of the Earth is a powerful way to protect the planet for decades to come.
This tool is free to you whether you choose to include a gift to Friends of the Earth or not. It can be used to create a legal will or to prepare before working with a lawyer near you.
GET STARTED ON YOUR ESTATE PLANS
Retirement Plans
Designating Friends of the Earth as a beneficiary of all or part of your 401(k), IRA or other qualified plan is one of the easiest ways to commit to the future of our planet. Obtain a Designation of Beneficiary Form from your retirement plan administrator and complete as directed. Another step may be required to designate your 401(k); please contact Caroline Bruder at [email protected] or (202)222-0726 for assistance.
Using FreeWill to Designate Your Beneficiary
Through our partnership with FreeWill, donors can utilize this free tool to include Friends of the Earth as a beneficiary on part or all of your qualified plans. This tool can be used for IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance, and brokerage and annuity accounts. When you’re ready to begin the journey to designate Friends of the Earth as beneficiary of your account, this tool will walk you through the steps required. It will help you fill out all the forms you will need to finalize the process with your plan administrator.
Tax ID/Legal Language
Here is some suggested wording to include Friends of the Earth in your will or estate plans:
“After taking care of all expenses, debts, and other specific provisions, I give, devise, and bequeath ___% of the rest and residue [or $___ if a specific amount] to Friends of the Earth, a Washington, DC charitable organization [Tax ID# 23-7420660] currently having offices at 1101 15th St, NW, Washington, DC 20005.“
Share Your Story
Are you passionate about conserving nature? Are you working towards environmental justice in your community? Every positive action for a healthy and just world, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. Whether you’ve recently planted your first pollinator garden or are fighting on the front lines to stop dangerous oil and gas pipelines, we want to hear from you! Please fill out our form to share your story!
Help power change. It takes support from environmental champions like you to build a more healthy and just world. Donate now!
CONTACT US FOR ESTATE PLANNING HELP
Reach out to our Planned Giving Officer Caroline Bruder to learn more about how to achieve your charitable and financial goals while fighting for the health of our planet. Caroline can be reached at (202) 222-0726 or [email protected].
In addition to answering your questions, Caroline can send you free brochures to help you understand your options. Topics include creating your estate plans and easy ways to leave a legacy. Contact her for more information!
SHARED EARTH SOCIETY
Have you already included Friends of the Earth your estate plans? Please let us know so we can thank you for your generous commitment to a healthy and just planet and welcome you to the Shared Earth Society. To learn more about the Shared Earth Society, please contact Caroline Bruder at [email protected].
We invite you to check out our planned giving newsletter, Legacies, to read profiles of our generous donors and learn how you can make a legacy for the planet.
GIFTS FROM YOUR IRA
If you are 70.5 or older, you can make a tax-free gift from your IRA to support Friends of the Earth. Retirees who do not need the income from required minimum distributions may choose to make a charitable gift directly from an IRA without incurring income tax on the withdrawal.
Ask your IRA administrator to make a “qualified charitable distribution” or QCD directly from your IRA account to Friends of the Earth.
Checks should be mailed to:
Friends of the Earth
PO Box 7010
Merrifield, VA 22116-7010
For more information about making a gift from your IRA or to let us know you have made a gift, contact Caroline Bruder at [email protected] or (202) 222-0726
The purpose of this information is to provide general gift and financial planning information. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or other professional advice. For assistance in planning charitable gifts with tax and other financial implications, the services of appropriate advisors should be obtained. Tax deductions vary based on applicable federal discount rates, which can change on a monthly basis. Some opportunities may not be available in all states.