Charitable Bequests
A charitable bequest is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to leave a lasting gift to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. By including the Museum in your estate plans, you can create a meaningful legacy while supporting our mission for future generations.
Benefits of a bequest
- Receive an estate tax charitable deduction, which may reduce or eliminate estate taxes and ease the tax burden on your family.
- Make a revocable gift that can be changed or modified at any time.
- Designate your bequest for a general or specific purpose, ensuring your gift is used as intended.
- Leave a lasting legacy at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
How a bequest works
To make a charitable bequest, please speak with your attorney about including language in your will or trust that specifies a gift to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. A bequest may also be made using a beneficiary designation form as part of your estate plan.
Ways to leave a bequest
- Include a bequest to the Maritime Museum of San Diego in your will or revocable trust.
- Designate the Maritime Museum of San Diego as a full, partial, or contingent beneficiary of a retirement account such as an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or pension.
- Name the Maritime Museum of San Diego as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Types of bequests
- Percentage bequest: A gift of a percentage of your estate.
- Specific bequest: A gift of a specific dollar amount or a particular asset.
- Residual bequest: A gift made from the remaining balance or residue of your estate.
- Contingent bequest: Contingent bequest – A contingent bequest is made only if the purpose of the primary bequest cannot be met. For example, you could leave specific property to a relative, but the bequest language could provide that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the property will go to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.