Be more than a member…
Join the Prospect Legacy Society

For more than three decades, The American Prospect has been a beacon for truth, fairness, and a more equitable democracy. We have been out in front, bringing you stories that matter and speaking truth to power.

 

As a member of the Prospect Legacy Society, you will support this work for the next generation, helping us to take on the looming challenges — the rapidly changing climate, racialized voting restrictions, money in our political system, and other threats not just to democracy, but to life on earth.

 

You can make a difference today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.

 

Planned Giving is at the Heart of the Prospect Legacy Society

There are many ways to provide enduring financial support. Some of these methods have extended financial and tax benefits for you, your family, or other beneficiaries. The Prospect has invested in tools to make it easier for you to act on your wishes. Review some of the options here, or talk to your financial advisor for more information about any of these methods of planned giving.

Bequest

This is the simplest and most common form of planned giving. You designate an amount of your total assets to donate in your will. The Prospect invites you to use FreeWill to guide you through the process of creating a legally valid will or trust. It can be completed in about 20 minutes. You can use it on its own, or to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with your own attorney.

Designate the beneficiaries for non-probate assets: Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? Use this online tool to designate the Prospect as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets.

Have you already included a gift in your will or trust? Please fill out this form to let us know. We would love to thank you for your generosity.

Donor-Advised Funds

DAFs are investment accounts that can direct funds to the Prospect and many other charities. When you invest in a DAF, you immediately receive tax benefits, and you can donate funds at any time. If you have a DAF, your grant recommendation for the Prospect today helps you make the impact with funds you already set aside. Make your recommendation and notify us at the same time with this easy tool. 

Appreciated Securities

You may contribute securities you have owned for more than one year. Donating stocks to the Prospect can deliver lucrative tax benefits. You may be able to take a charitable deduction for the entire donation amount. Quick and easy, this secure online tool will let you make your stock donation in about 10 minutes.

Retirement Plans

If you are old enough, you may make a donation by naming the Prospect as the beneficiary for a portion of your retirement fund, such as an IRA or 401(k). Use this secure online tool to make a donation to the Prospect, especially if you must take a Required Minimum Distribution. You can fill out the forms online in just a few minutes, or print out the forms to fill them out separately. If you are 70.5 years or older, you can donate up to $100,000 of your RMD as a Qualified Charitable Distribution, exempt from federal income tax, even if you don’t need to itemize.

More ways to give...

Life Insurance

Similar to a bequest, you, as the donor, designates the Prospect as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. These funds are exempt from estate taxes.

Charitable Gift Annuity

You, as the donor, designates an initial gift to the Prospect. The Prospect would then make fixed annuity payments back to you or to another beneficiary. After you pass on, the Prospect retains the remainder of the gift. Often, the beneficiaries in this agreement are your parents or children.

Charitable Remainder Trust

This is a form of asset donation, in which you, as the donor, contribute a fixed asset to the Prospect. Based on the asset’s value, the Prospect makes fixed annuity payments back to you or to another beneficiary for a set amount of time. At the end of the designated period, the Prospect collects the remainder of the asset’s value.

Retained Life Estate

This is another form of asset donation, in which you, as the donor, deeds your home or property to the Prospect. You receive an immediate tax deduction for the donation, and you continue to live in the property. Upon your passing, the Prospect takes over ownership.

Charitable Lead Trust

This is the opposite of a Charitable Remainder Trust, in that you, as the donor, set up a trust that pays a portion of funds to the Prospect for a set period of time. At the end of that period, the trust funds revert to you or your designated beneficiaries. 

Thank you!

American Prospect, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. EIN 52-1617061.

Contact: plannedgiving@prospect.org. Voice mail: 202-776-0730 ext 4000.