Planting Seeds for the Future Flock
Protecting the birds, habitats, and wild places of the Central Coast for generations to come.
Why a Bequest Matters
Leaving a gift to the Monterey Audubon Society in your will or living trust is one of the simplest, most powerful ways to ensure that the natural wonder of the Greater Monterey Bay region endures.
Did You Know?
-
No wealth required: You don't need to be wealthy to make an extraordinary impact. Most legacy gifts are made by ordinary people who loved nature and chose to protect what they cherished.
-
100% Local Impact: Monterey Audubon Society is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every gift stays right here at home to fund Central Coast conservation science, songbird monitoring, local habitat protection, and youth education.
-
Flexibility & Peace of Mind: A bequest costs nothing today. It does not affect your current lifestyle or bank account, and you can update or change your mind at any time.
Ways to Structure Your Gift
You can tailor your gift to fit your family’s needs and financial goals:
-
Percentage Gift (Most Popular): Leave a specific percentage (e.g., 5%, 10%, or 25%) of your estate. This ensures your gift grows or shrinks proportionally with your estate, keeping family needs balanced.
-
Specific Dollar Amount: Designate a fixed sum to support Monterey Audubon’s long-term work.
-
Residuary Gift: Direct what remains of your estate after all other gifts, debts, and family provisions are settled.
-
Beneficiary Designations (Tax-Smart): Name Monterey Audubon as a beneficiary on a retirement account (IRA/401k), life insurance policy, or bank account. (Tip: Retirement accounts inherited by heirs are often taxed, but nonprofits receive 100% tax-free!)
Official Information Will Need
Legal Name: Monterey Audubon Society
Tax ID (EIN): 94-2397544
Organization Type: Standalone 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Mailing Address: PO Box 5656, Carmel, CA 93921
Sample Bequest Language:
"I give, devise, and bequeath to Monterey Audubon Society, a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 94-2397544), [insert a specific dollar amount, a percentage of my estate, or the remainder of my estate] to support its local bird conservation, science, and education programs in the greater Monterey Bay region."
SUPPORTING DONATIONS
Monterey Audubon is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible charity and we rely almost entirely on membership dues and additional donations. But we also can accept qualified charitable distributions, and gifts from donor-advised funds.
Make a gift of publicly-traded securities to Monterey Audbon and potentially save income tax and capital gains tax, too.
A gift of publicly-traded securities could be right for you if:
-
You own publicly-traded securities that you have owned for at least one year.
-
Some of these securities have increased in value since you bought them.
-
Some of these securities may provide you with little or no income.
-
You would like to make a gift to MAS.
How it works:
-
You transfer shares of one or more publicly-traded securities, such as stock, bonds, and mutual funds, to MAS.
-
The two most common ways to give publicly-traded securities are to make an outright gift of your securities or to make a gift of your securities and receive payments for life.
