Thank you for considering making a legacy gift to Watsonville Wetlands Watch and joining our Legacy Circle. When you make a legacy gift, you have peace of mind knowing your values and hopes for the future of the wetlands will be carried out beyond your lifetime. Your gift helps to ensure a thriving wetland system for generations to come and helps fulfill the educational and career goals of young people who -like you- are deeply committed to the environment.
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Lou and Joan Rose like giving back to the community in which they live. Joan was born in Watsonville and has fond memories of wading in the irrigation ditches of her grandfather's Pajaro farm. Lou was a university professor of environmental and land use economics for 30 years. Both of them regard stewardship of the local wetlands as the best way for them to give back locally and globally. They are leaving their legacy in the hands of the Watsonville Wetlands Watch. Their will declares this intent.
-Lou and Joan Rose -
One needn't have great means in this lifetime to make a lifetime impact. It is comforting to know that my love of Watsonville Wetlands will continue to influence, protect and expand the wetlands of Watsonville for generations to come.
-Kris Beall -
From early days, I’ve been involved with and supportive of the Wetlands Watch’s dedication to conserving and restoring the unique freshwater sloughs of the Pajaro Valley. Ensuring that this work goes on for generations of stewards and lovers of nature through a legacy bequest is my way of providing support for the future.
-Caroline Rodgers
Legacy Circle
If you have already included our organization in your estate plans, thank you! If it is your intent to include us in a bequest, thank you! In either case, please let us know – because we are here to help you implement your plans. We will be honored to include you in our Legacy Circle. As a member, you will receive invitations to exceptional Watsonville Wetlands Watch events and other special benefits.
To enroll in our Legacy Circle or request more information, please fill out this confidential Legacy Circle Form.
We Can Help You
Many planned giving options are available to you. We welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you. So, please contact us at . We will help you to understand these options and guide you to simple solutions. There are a variety of ways you can make a legacy gift to the Watsonville Wetlands Watch, which we summarize below. We encourage you to consult your advisors regarding your financial, legal, or tax needs to make certain that your gift fits well into your overall circumstances and planning.
The Types of Assets in Your Bequest
Leave Your Estate and Specified Assets
You can give all of your estate, a percentage of it, or a remainder after other bequests have been made. You can give an amount of money, and all or so many shares of stocks, bonds or mutual funds. You can give a parcel of real estate. We will, unless otherwise instructed, liquidate non-monetary assets as soon as practicable.
Make WWW the Beneficiary of Your Retirement Plan
Making your annual retirement plan distribution a charitable gift can be a beneficial way to provide support toward the mission of the Watsonville Wetlands Watch, with significant tax advantages. You can also name the Watsonville Wetlands Watch as the partial or full designated beneficiary of a retirement plan (e.g., IRA, 401(k), 403(b)). These are advantageous types of assets to leave to charity because they can be taxed heavily when left to heirs. Leaving a retirement plan to the Watsonville Wetlands Watch ensures that 100 percent of your gift will support your charitable interests.
Make WWW the Beneficiary of Your Life Insurance Policy
If a life insurance policy is no longer necessary for liquidity or to support your family, you can name the Watsonville Wetlands Watch as a beneficiary of your policy. Your estate may be entitled to an offsetting charitable deduction. You can also name us as the owner and beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy. You may receive an immediate tax deduction that usually approximates the cash surrender value of the policy. All premium payments made thereafter may be deductible as a charitable contribution. Please consult with your own tax and legal advisor.
Establish a Charitable Annuity
Giving with a charitable annuity provides an immediate income tax deduction, a guaranteed payment you can count on for life for you or a loved one and leave a legacy that will support the causes important to you forever.
The Placement of Your Bequest
Gifts to the Organization
When you make a direct gift to our organization, it will be used to support the programs most in need at the time of your gift or at times in the future. If you place no restrictions on your gift, this allows the Board of Directors to make an informed decision on the use of your gift over time. We suggest this approach.
On the other hand, you may prefer that your gift be used to implement a particular broadly defined program or a project consistent with the mission of the organization. In this case, please contact us at . We will gladly work with you to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled.
Gifts to An Endowment
Watsonville Wetlands Watch holds two endowments that support the long-term sustainability of our work. One endowment is held at the Santa Cruz Community Foundation and one is managed by Watsonville Wetlands Watch. If you are interested to learn more about our endowments, please contact us at
Gifts in Honor and Memory
Leaving a bequest in honor or memory of someone you respect or hold dear is a wonderful way to pay tribute to them. You can name a new endowment after you or your family, or in honor or memory of someone else. Alternatively, if you leave the gift to the organization, we will send a special note card notifying the person or family of the person you have named notifying them of your thoughtful and generous gift. You can also give anonymously.
Simple Bequest Language
We can recommend simple language for your will, codicil to your will, or your living trust. Please consult with your tax or legal advisor or contact us so that we may assist you.
To include Watsonville Wetlands Watch in your estate plans, please use the following language:
“Watsonville Wetlands Watch, a California non-profit corporation, having as its principal address P.O. 1239 Freedom CA 95019. Our taxpayer identification number is 77-0159882.”
