For over 125 years, Seattle Humane has helped pets in need in our community.To support our lifesaving work today and for the next 125 years, please join Seattle Humane’s Legacy Challenge and help us unlock $350,000 in challenge funds!
By sharing your planned gift intention with us, you can help pets in our community and be part of our mission of saving lives and completing families — without costing you anything in your lifetime.
Each time that we are notified that a donor has named Seattle Humane as a beneficiary of a will, trust, or financial account, a gift to help pets will immediately be unlocked, equal to 20% of the value of that bequest, up to $50,000.
New Challenge Funds Available!
Planned gifts of any size are eligible
Planned gift intention amount
Challenge gift unlocked immediately
$1,000
$200
$5,000
$1,000
$100,000
$20,000
$1,000,000
$50,000 (maximum matching available)
Undisclosed amount
$1,000
Join the Legacy Challenge Today
Include Seattle Humane as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement or other financial account.
Notify us that you have done so by completing this online form. You may also download, print and mail it to Seattle Humane, 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005.
Your notification will unlock an immediate challenge gift to support pets in need.
If you have ever considered creating a bequest or other legacy gift for Seattle Humane, now is the time.
We hope the Legacy Challenge encourages you to update your existing estate plan, or put something in place for the very first time. Your planned gift helps ensure that Seattle Humane continues its mission of saving lives and completing families for generations to come. Thank you!
Since matching funds are limited, please make your estate plan soon.
For more information about Seattle Humane’s Legacy Challenge, please contact:
Please note that Seattle Humane employees may not give legal or tax advice, nor serve as personal representative, executor, trustee or witness.
FAQ
Is it really free for me to join the Legacy Challenge?
Yes. There’s no cost to you in your lifetime. All you need to do is name Seattle Humane as a beneficiary of your will, trust or financial account, and 20% of your final bequest, up to $50,000, will be matched by our generous anonymous donors today.
Is the Legacy Challenge a legally binding commitment?
The Legacy Challenge is a good faith estimate of your planned gift intentions. Just like with other bequests, you can elect to revise your estate plan at any time.
Is there a cap on Legacy Challenge matching funds? If I want to leave $1 million to Seattle Humane in my estate plan, will the entire amount be matched?
Thank you so much for your generosity and incredible gift. 20% of your intended legacy gift, up to $50,000 is eligible for the match.
What types of gifts qualify for the Legacy Challenge?
To qualify for the Legacy Challenge, Seattle Humane must be named as a beneficiary of your will, trust, or any of these account types:
Retirement funds, i.e., IRA, 401(k), 403(b)
Life insurance policies
Bank, brokerage, certificates of deposit accounts
Commercial annuities
Donor advised funds (DAF)
How do I add Seattle Humane to my will or living trust?
Below is sample bequest language that you can share directly with your attorney. Our team can also help you craft tailored bequest language for the area of Seattle Humane that is most important to you.
“I give to The Humane Society for Seattle/King County, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005, __ [list percentage of the estate, specific dollar amount, or description of property here] for its unrestricted use and purpose.”
How do I name Seattle Humane as a beneficiary of my financial accounts?
You can add Seattle Humane as a beneficiary of your accounts by:
Requesting a beneficiary designation form from your financial institution. These forms may also be available for download or online submission on your financial institution’s website.
Updating your beneficiary designations with Seattle Humane’s legal name and federal tax ID: Legal Name: The Humane Society for Seattle/King County Address: 13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005) Federal Tax ID Number: 91-0282060
What is the deadline to join the Legacy Challenge?
The Challenge will run as long as matching funds are available. Don’t miss your opportunity to have your gift matched!
What if I don’t want to reveal the amount of my estate gift?
If you do not wish to share the amount of your gift, you can still participate in the Legacy Challenge. When you let us know that Seattle Humane is included in your estate plans, a matching gift of $1,000 will be made available to Seattle Humane.
I have already shared that Seattle Humane in my estate plans. Can I participate in the Legacy Challenge?
When you confirm your intention to include Seattle Humane in your estate plan and share details about your planned gift, you will be eligible to participate in the Legacy Challenge.
Why are you asking for bequest commitments now?
Since more than 50% of Seattle Humane’s planned gifts are a surprise to us, sharing this vital information helps Seattle Humane forecast future growth and make investments that will ensure we can help more pets and the people who love them. It will also allow us to utilize your gift in ways that are most meaningful to you.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
For more information or to get answers to your questions about Seattle Humane’s Legacy Challenge, estate planning, or giving at Seattle Humane, please contact Natalie Pond, Planned Giving Officer at (425) 649-7559 or nataliep@seattlehumane.org.
