For over 100 years, we have been working hard to save the lives of animals in Westchester County.
One of the greatest ways you can be a lasting partner in the protection of animals is to support our mission beyond your lifetime. Planned gifts make that possible. By including us as a beneficiary of your will, trust, life insurance or retirement plan, you will provide a lasting testament to your love of animals and save thousands of pets' lives. Many planned gift options may provide you with tax benefits, increase your current income, or provide additional retirement income, while reducing income tax and estate taxes.
It is important to explore your options with your financial planner or legal counsel so that you and your beneficiaries receive the full benefit of any considered gift.
Wills and Bequests
The most frequently used planned giving instrument is the will. Each year, countless individuals exercise their right to determine how the estate they have spent a lifetime accumulating is to be distributed. You may specify the assets you would like to leave to the Humane Society by creating a bequest in your will.
Suggested Language for Bequests:
"I give [specify amount of property, percentage, or residue] to Humane Society of Westchester, a not-for-profit corporation, chartered in the State of New York, located at 70 Portman Road, New Rochelle, New York 10801, for its general uses and purposes."
We have partnered with FreeWill to make it easier than ever to create your legal will, and start your legacy with the Humane Society of Westchester as well.
To help you get started, you can use the FreeWill online tool that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will or trust. Use this resource on its own or to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.
If you have already included a gift to Humane Society of Westchester in your will, please fill out this form to let us know!
Beneficiaries: Non-probate assets
Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets and you must plan your beneficiaries separately. Use this online tool to make your plans and designate us as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets.