Join other museum supporters in making a lasting impact. Help us share Vashon’s stories for generations to come by including the Vashon Heritage Museum in your will.

A bequest is a gift you leave to the Vashon Heritage Museum in your will or estate plan. It can be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or another asset.

Including the Museum in your will is a meaningful way to help preserve Vashon’s history for generations to come. It allows you to make a lasting contribution while still retaining full use of your assets during your lifetime. Charitable bequests may also provide estate-tax benefits.

If you are considering a bequest to the Museum, we would be happy to answer questions and provide information for your estate-planning attorney. Please contact us at admin@vashonheritage.org.

If you are 70½ or older, you can make a charitable gift directly from your IRA to the Vashon Heritage Museum through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

Giving from your IRA can offer tax advantages that other types of charitable gifts may not. A QCD can count toward your required minimum distribution without increasing your taxable income, and it may allow you to make a larger charitable gift while reducing the tax impact of the distribution.

You can name the Vashon Heritage Museum as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy, including a fully paid-up policy. This can be a meaningful way to support the Museum with an asset you may no longer need for your own financial security.

You can also consider donating a fully paid-up policy to the Museum during your lifetime.

You can name the Vashon Heritage Museum as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement plan. This is a simple way to leave a lasting gift without changing your will.

For many people, retirement accounts can be especially meaningful assets to leave to a charity because they may be subject to income taxes when inherited by individuals. A charitable organization generally does not pay income tax on retirement plan distributions, allowing more of your retirement assets to support the Museum’s mission.