Giving to AWI

Dolphins - Photo by John Liu

There are many ways to support AWI’s work to protect animals. We are grateful for cash and non-cash donations alike. To donate by credit card, please click here; donations by check may be made payable to “Animal Welfare Institute” and sent to the mailing address listed at the bottom of this page. You can also donate via bequests, retirement plans, and securities (stocks, bonds, and mutual funds).

All donations to the Animal Welfare Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, are tax-deductible. AWI’s tax-exempt number is 13-5655952. AWI does not trade, share or sell donors’ addresses or other personal information with any third party for any reason.

Memberships

Members enjoy many benefits, including a subscription to the AWI Quarterly magazine and an opportunity to receive free copies of our books and other materials as they are published, and our annual report. Donations of $35 and above qualify for membership in AWI ($10 for students or seniors). Ordering an AWI Quarterly subscription through our publication store also constitutes a membership donation. To become an AWI member, click here. For more information, call (202) 337-2332 or email [email protected].

Bequests

One of the most effective ways to contribute to the future of animals and their habitats is through a bequest in your will. If you are considering recognizing AWI in your will, please note the various gift options available to you:

  • Residual bequest—After making provision for your family, friends, and others, the balance of your belongings (your “residual estate”) is donated to AWI.
  • Percentage of your estate—A specific percentage of your estate (or residual estate) is left to AWI.
  • Specific bequest—A specific sum of money is donated to AWI.
  • Separate life insurance/assurance policy—A policy is taken out naming AWI as the beneficiary.
  • Charitable remainder trust—A trust is established for your dependents, providing them with a regular income, while the principal of the trust (the original amount invested) is paid to AWI after a specific time period.

When making a bequest, we encourage you to consult with an attorney to ensure that your will and its directives are valid and enforceable and accurately reflect your wishes. If you plan to support AWI via your estate, please let us know by completing this Planned Giving Intention Form.

Some suggested language for making a simple will with a contribution to AWI is provided below.

I give, devise and bequeath to the Animal Welfare Institute, located in Washington, DC, the sum of $_______________________ and/or _______________________ (specifically described property).

For questions about naming AWI in your estate, please contact:
Susan Millward, Executive Director
(202) 446-2123
[email protected]

Retirement Plans

If you are over the age of 59½ and can make withdrawals from your traditional IRA or other tax-favored retirement plan without triggering an early withdrawal penalty, you may wish to make withdrawals and use them as your charitable gifts to AWI. Those over the age of 70½ whose mandatory withdrawals from retirement accounts exceed what is needed to fund current living expenses may also wish to bestow gifts in this way. You may also want to consider AWI as part of your plans for the future distribution of any balances remaining in your retirement plans at the end of your lifetime. We encourage you to seek assistance from your accountant or other advisor when determining the optimum amount to give from your retirement plan accounts under federal and state tax laws.

Donating Stock

Donating stock or any non-cash property (e.g., bonds, mutual funds) is an easy way to make a gift to AWI while potentially benefiting from additional tax savings (read below). Click here for AWI’s stock transfer instructions and please email us at [email protected] to let us know the gift is on its way.

  • Donating Appreciated Securities: If you have stock of other property that has grown in value (appreciated) and has been held more than one year, you can generally enjoy greater tax savings from donating such property than from donating an equivalent amount of cash. The reason is that a gift of appreciated property lets you bypass capital gains tax that could be due if you sold the asset. You are also entitled to a charitable deduction based on the property’s current value, including the “paper profits” you have earned since you first acquired it.

  • Donating Depreciated Securities: If you have stock or other property that has decreased in value, you will normally save more in taxes by selling it and giving away the proceeds. You may then be able to claim a capital loss on your tax return. You can also deduct the cash proceeds you give away as a charitable gift. This will sometimes result in tax deductions that amount to more than the current value of the asset.

Other Ways to Give

  • Donate a vehicle: Support AWI by donating your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat via Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS). CARS reaches out to you to arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation, at no cost to you. Visit careasy.org for more info. 

For questions about donating securities or vehicles, please contact:
Susan Millward
(202) 446-2123
[email protected]

Animal Welfare Institute
900 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003