Donate through your will & retirement
You’ve worked hard to prepare for retirement. With thoughtful planning, you can turn your retirement savings into a powerful tool to support your loved ones, reduce taxes, and leave a lasting impact on the wildlands you cherish.
MAKE A BEQUEST
Naming Cascadia Wildlands in your will as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan or life insurance plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings.
Name Cascadia Wildlands as a Retirement Plan Beneficiary
One of the simplest and most tax-efficient ways to support Cascadia Wildlands is by naming us as a beneficiary—full or partial—of your retirement assets. This includes 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh, or profit-sharing plans.
Retirement accounts passed on to heirs can come with significant tax consequences. However, when you designate Cascadia Wildlands as a beneficiary, the funds pass to us tax-free, helping you:
- Retain full control of your assets during your lifetime
- Fulfill your charitable goals
- Reduce estate and income taxes
How to Make a Gift
Giving through your retirement account is easy and is usually cost-free:
- Request a beneficiary designation form from your plan administrator.
- Name Cascadia Wildlands as a full or partial beneficiary.
- Return the completed form to your plan administrator.
Let us know! Please email Executive Director Josh Laughlin or Membership and Operations Director Martha Brinson (martha (at) cascwild.org) at or call either at 541-434-1463 to inform us of your plans.
Qualified Charitable Distributions from Your IRA
If you’re aged 72 or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to Cascadia Wildlands—tax-free.
- For 2024, individuals can donate up to $105,000 annually through QCDs.
- QCDs count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and may reduce your taxable income.
- Contributions must be made directly from your IRA custodian to Cascadia Wildlands by December 31 to qualify for the current tax year.
Many supporters who do not need their RMD for living expenses choose to make a QCD instead—supporting Cascadia Wildlands while enjoying the tax benefits.
Each financial institution has its own QCD process, so be sure to follow their specific forms and requirements to ensure your gift qualifies.
Have questions or want to explore your options? Please email Executive Director Josh Laughlin or Membership and Operations Director Martha Brinson (martha (at) cascwild.org) at or call either at 541-434-1463 to inform us of your plans.
In Focus:
Sarah Douglas, long-time supporter who generously supports Cascadia Wildlands through a Qualified Charitable Distribution
“If you’re at least 72 years old, utilizing the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) option is a convenient way I’ve been able to support Cascadia Wildlands’ outstanding conservation work. Neither Cascadia nor I pay taxes on the money I take out, and the gift can be put to use immediately to safeguard what makes our region so special.”
— Sarah Douglas, Cascadia Wildlands former board member and long-time supporter
