Bequest Language
By preparing your will or living trust today, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you’re providing for your loved ones while advancing your values through your own legacy of compassion. Below is language you can use to designate a future gift to American Humane Society. A charitable bequest through your will or trust can make a lifechanging impact for vulnerable animals—long into the future.
1. Specific Bequest
If you are considering making an outright bequest to American Humane Society, we recommend the following language:
Bequest of a Specific Dollar Amount
I hereby give, devise and bequeath _________ and No/100 dollars ($DOLLARS) to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Personal Property
I hereby give, devise and bequeath DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
Bequest of Specific Real Estate
I hereby give, devise and bequeath all of the right, title and interest in and to the real estate located at ADDRESS OR DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
2. Percentage Bequest
If you are considering making a bequest of a percentage of your estate to American Humane Society, we recommend the following language:
I hereby give, devise and bequeath ____ percent (___%) of my total estate, determined as of the date of my death, to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
3. Residual Bequest
I hereby give, devise and bequeath to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, ALL OR A PERCENTAGE of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to be used for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
4. Contingent Bequest
If (primary beneficiary) does not survive me, then I hereby give, devise and bequeath to American Humane Association d/b/a American Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 1400 16th St NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036, Federal Tax ID #_______________, DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to be used for American Humane Society's general use and purpose.
5. Restricted Bequests
If you are considering a bequest but would like to ensure that your bequest will be used for a specific purpose, please let us know. We would be happy to work with you and your attorney to help you identify ways to give and meet your charitable objectives. We will also work with you and your attorney to craft language to accomplish your goals.
If you are making a restricted bequest, we recommend that your attorney include the following provision to give American Humane Society flexibility should it no longer be possible for American Humane Society to use your gift as you originally intended:
If, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of American Humane Society, it shall become impossible for American Humane Society to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purposes of this bequest, American Humane Society may use the income and principal of this gift for such purpose or purposes as the Board determines is most closely related to the restricted purpose of my bequest.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you have any questions about how to make a bequest to American Humane Society or to request any additional information that might be helpful to you and your attorney as you consider making a bequest to us. If you have included a bequest for American Humane Society in your estate plan, please contact us to let us know. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your compassionate gift.
