Planned Giving

A Better World Is Possible — With Your Help

A hopeful future is shaped by those bold enough to believe a better world is possible. Your legacy gift will enhance the health and resilience of trees, forests, and communities in our region during your lifetime and for lifetimes thereafter.

Click below to learn more about each type of planned giving…

Will or Trust

With your will or trust, you can support WMTP’s locally-focused mission without dipping into your wallet. Consider bequesting a specific amount, certain assets, or a percentage of your estate. In this way, you will create a better tomorrow for your loved ones and their loved ones.

You can use the following as recommended language in your will: “I give [Amount, Asset, or Percentage] to tax-exempt Whatcom Million Trees Project, located in Bellingham, WA, to support its mission to plant and protect local trees.”

(Have you already made a planned gift to WMTP in your will? If yes, please let us know so that we can properly thank you.) Build your legacy today!

Retirement & Pension

Here are three ways to consider leveraging your retirement or pension funds to benefit WMTP, help our community for generations, and reduce your taxes:

Rollover a portion. If you are 70½ years or older, you can donate (“rollover gift”) a portion of your IRA to WMTP while potentially avoiding paying income taxes on that money.

Send an RMD. If you are 73 years old or older, gifting some or all of your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution annually is a wonderful way to support WMTP.

Designate us. Consider designating WMTP as a beneficiary of your retirement asset.

Donor-Advised Fund

Significant tax-savings are possible with Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). We have ongoing relationships with Vanguard Charitable, Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, and Whatcom Community Foundation. Via any of the above, you can open a fund, then recommend a tax-advantaged gift amount to WMTP.

Stock & Securities

Here’s another potent way to give while giving yourself tax benefits. Donating appreciated stocks or securities avoids paying capital gains tax and reduces your overall tax burden.

Life Insurance

Yet another way to make a substantial gift for generations. Consider naming Whatcom Million Trees Project as a beneficiary to receive a portion or all of the proceeds of your life insurance policy.

Charitable Gift Annuity or Remainder Trust

Provide you or your heirs income for their lifetime(s) in a tax-advantageous way while benefiting our region’s resilience and health. A qualified financial advisor can talk you through either option and help you to set it up.