Planned gifts enable you to integrate your charitable and financial goals and provide present or future support for AFS, or a specific AFS program that is important to you. They can also provide valuable tax benefits, income, and other financial returns for you and your spouse or loved ones. Some of the most common planned gift mechanisms include bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of retirement plan assets.

To express our gratitude to those who have included AFS in their wills and other charitable gift plans, we have established Legacy Leaders within the 1870 Society. Legacy Leaders, demonstrate strong vision and deep devotion to AFS.

Download a quick planned giving guide here.

Bequest
You can outline a bequest in your will, which is a legal document specifying how your property will be distributed after your death. Bequests can be set up as a percentage of an estate, a specific gift amount and/or asset, or a residuary estate. Bequests benefit AFS, and reduce your estate’s tax liability.

Beneficiary
In this method of planned giving, AFS is set up as a percentage or full beneficiary of an account. Accounts that generally enable beneficiary arrangements include bank accounts, brokerage accounts, life insurance policies, traditional IRAs and other retirement plans. A set-aside in your account can result in tax savings for your heirs, and AFS will receive part or all of your account after your death.

Special Fund, Endowments, and Other Opportunities
You can work with AFS to set up a memorial or fund a lecture or program as well as an award, fellowship, or scholarship. An endowment is the best way to create a permanent tribute. With a major gift, a named fund could be created that will support a dedicated program or award.

IRA Charitable Rollover
AFS’s Tax ID number is 54-0683803. If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a charitable contribution directly from your IRA account to AFS. Simply, provide this number to your IRA administrator to transfer a tax-free amount of your choice directly from your account to AFS.

Setting Up Your Planned Gift
You will need the below details to activate your planned gift.

Legal name: American Fisheries Society, Inc.
AFS tax identification number is 54-0683803
Mailing address: 425 Barlow Place, Suite 110, Bethesda, MD 20814

In addition to working with the Development Office at AFS to discuss how your gift can be targeted to most effectively meet your philanthropic goals, we recommend work with a knowledgeable advisor such as an attorney, financial planner, or CPA to help structure the gift that bests suits your needs.

Once you’ve established your planned gift, notify AFS. Donors who make commitments to AFS through their wills or other charitable plans will be recognized as Legacy Leaders, among the members of AFS’s 1870 Society.

We will ensure your continued connection with the American Fisheries Society by providing updates about our activities, and by sending invitations to events and activities. You will also receive a certificate of appreciation and public recognition of your donation.

We thank you for making this commitment.

If you wish to receive additional information on making a charitable bequest or other planned gift to AFS, contact the Development Office at (301) 897-8616 ext. 213 or [email protected].