Gifts in a will or by beneficiary designation are two easy ways to advance family history research for years to come — and they don’t cost anything now.
You can learn more about these special opportunities in our free brochure, Simple Ways to Create Your Legacy, and other complimentary planning resources. These resources are just a click away!
Gifts in a Will
Making a legacy gift in your will or trust is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make a lasting impact for American Ancestors. Once you have provided for your loved ones, we hope you will consider making our mission part of your life story through a legacy gift.
A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy and offers the following benefits:
- Lasting Impact: Your gift will create your legacy of knowledge that future generations can build upon.
- Flexible: You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason.
- No Cost: It costs you nothing now to give in this way.
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Four simple, “no-cost-now” ways to give in your will
General gift
Residuary gift
Specific gift
Contingent gift
You can mix these no-cost ways together. For example, you might consider leaving a specific percentage (such as 50%) of the residual to American Ancestors contingent upon the survival of your spouse.
Gifts by Beneficiary Designation
It’s easy to put your bank accounts, retirement funds, savings bonds, and more to use in opening doors to truth, healing, and belonging through family history — and it costs you nothing now. By naming American Ancestors as a beneficiary of these assets, you can power our mission for years to come.
Potential benefits of gifts by beneficiary designation:
- Reduce or eliminate taxes
- Reduce or avoid probate fees
- No cost to you now to give
- Create your legacy with American Ancestors
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Types of Gifts
Retirement plan assets
You can simply name American Ancestors as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to support the study of family history.
Life insurance policies
You can name American Ancestors as a beneficiary of all or a portion of your life insurance policy. With this gift arrangement, American Ancestors will receive the proceeds of your policy after your lifetime. You can change your beneficiary at any time and may reduce your estate taxes.
Bank or brokerage accounts
This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name American Ancestors (Tax ID: 04-2104757) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings bank account, a certificate of deposit (CD), or a brokerage account. When you do, you’ll take a powerful step toward inspiring family historians for generations to come.
Funds remaining in your donor-advised fund
What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the contract you completed when you created your fund. When you name American Ancestors as a “successor” of your account or a portion of your account value, you help keep genealogical exploration alive.
How to update a beneficiary designation:
Simply contact your bank, retirement plan administrator, insurance company, or other financial institution to request a beneficiary designation form. You may also be able to log in to your account and update your beneficiaries online.
Please use our legal name: American Ancestors
Include our tax identification number: 04-2104757
Please let us know so we can ensure that your wishes are carried out.
Share Your Legacy
If you have already included a gift in your estate plans to benefit the future of American Ancestors, be sure to let us know so that we may best honor your wishes.
Our Team is Here to Help
Our experienced team is here to help you…
- Learn about special projects that align with your interests.
- Structure a donation that maximizes benefits for you and your loved ones.
- Stay up to date on how your gift is used.
- And more!