Gifts in a will or by beneficiary designation are two easy ways to be a hero for animals for years to come—and they don’t cost anything now.
You can learn more about these special opportunities in our free brochure Be a Hero for Animals and other complimentary planning resources. These resources are just a click away!
Gifts in a Will
A legacy gift to Mercy For Animals in your will or trust is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make a lasting impact for animals. Once you have provided for your loved ones, we hope you will consider making animal protection part of your life story through a legacy gift.
A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy and offers the following benefits:
- Lasting impact: Your gift will ensure that your compassion and vision continue to foster a just, sustainable food system.
- Flexibility: You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason.
- No cost: It costs you nothing now to give in this way.
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Four Simple, “No-Cost-Now” Ways to Give in Your Will
General Gift
A general bequest is a gift of a specific amount.
Residuary Gift
A residuary gift is a gift of all or a percentage of the remainder of your estate after specific bequests and expenses have been paid.
Specific Gift
A specific gift is a gift of a particular piece of property, such as real estate, funds in a bank account, or shares of a corporation.
Contingent Gift
A contingent gift takes effect only if the primary beneficiary or beneficiaries do not live longer than you. In other words, your gift is contingent upon whether they survive you.
You can combine these no-cost ways. For example, you may consider leaving a specific percentage (such as 50%) of the residual to Mercy For Animals contingent upon the survival of your spouse.
Gifts by Beneficiary Designation
Putting your bank accounts, retirement funds, savings bonds, and more to use in the fight against factory farming is easy—and it costs you nothing now. By naming Mercy For Animals as a beneficiary of these assets, you can power our mission for years to come and establish your personal legacy of respect and freedom for animals.
Gifts by beneficiary designation offer these benefits:
- Tax reduction: You can lower or eliminate taxes.
- Fee reduction: You can lower or avoid probate fees.
- No cost: It costs you nothing now to give in this way.
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Types of Gifts
Retirement Plan Assets
You can simply name Mercy For Animals as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to stand up for animals.
Life Insurance Policies
You can name Mercy For Animals as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, Mercy For Animals will receive the proceeds of your policy after your lifetime. You can change your beneficiary at any time and may reduce your estate taxes.
Bank or Brokerage Accounts
This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name Mercy For Animals (tax ID: 54-2076145) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings account, a certificate of deposit (CD), or a brokerage account. When you do, you’ll take a powerful step toward protecting animals for generations to come.
Funds Remaining in Your Donor-Advised Fund
What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. When you name Mercy For Animals as a “successor” of your account or a portion of your account value, you enable the work toward a just, sustainable food system to continue for years to come.
How to Update a Beneficiary Designation:
Simply contact your bank, retirement plan administrator, insurance company, or other financial institution to request a beneficiary designation form. You may also be able to log in to your account and update your beneficiaries online.
Please use our legal name: Mercy For Animals, Inc.
Include our tax identification number: 54-2076145
Please let us know so we can ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Our Team Is Here to Help
- Learn about special projects that align with your interests.
- Structure a donation that maximizes benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Stay up to date on how your gift is used.
- And more!