Legacy Giving

How would you like to be remembered?

Because of generous donors like you, Freedom House’s work amplifies voices calling for freedom and empowers human rights defenders and civil society actors to advance democratic change. Your legacy gift is one of the most personal, impactful ways to ensure that our shared vision of defending democracy and freedom around the world carries on for future generations.

We are grateful that you would consider having a profound and lasting effect on strengthening democracy and protecting human rights around the world. Thank you.

Please let us know if you have included a gift for by beneficiary designation by emailing us at [email protected]. Informing us know of your gift is the best way to ensure that your wishes are honored.

Make a Gift from Your IRA 

You may be looking for a way to make a big difference to help further our mission. If you are 70½ or older you may also be interested in a way to lower the income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals. An IRA charitable rollover is a way you can help continue our work and benefit this year.

Benefits of an IRA charitable rollover

• Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 from your IRA to Freedom House
• May satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year
• Reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions
• Make a gift that is not subject to the deduction limits on charitable gifts
• Help further the work and mission of Freedom House

How an IRA charitable rollover gift works

1. Contact your IRA plan administrator to make a gift from your IRA to us
2. Your IRA funds will be directly transferred to Freedom House to help continue our important work
3. Please note that IRA charitable rollover gifts do not qualify for a charitable deduction

Gifts Through Your Will or Living Trust

Once your family and friends are provided for, we hope you’ll consider making the protection of human rights part of your life story. In addition to filling an important role in providing for the future financial security of your family and friends, your will or living trust offers a way for you to establish a legacy to protect democracy and human rights. It is satisfying to know that a portion of your property will be put to vital long-term use protecting the future of our basic, invaluable freedoms.

A gift made through your will is convenient to arrange. A simple provision or amendment prepared by your attorney at the time you make or update your will or trust is all that is necessary. Gifts included in wills and living trusts are popular because they are flexible, easy to arrange, and may be changed with your life circumstances.

There is no limit on amounts deductible from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made by will or trust. No tax will be due on assets which are given in this way. To plan a charitable gift through your will or living trust, or to formalize your estate plan, consult an attorney of your wishes.

Sample Will or Trust Gift Language:

If you’d like to continue your support to Freedom House by giving a gift in your will, please consider using the following language:

“I give and bequeath _____ (dollar amount, percentage of residuary estate, etc.) to Freedom House, Inc. (Tax ID #13-1656647), located at 1850 M Street NW, 11th Floor, Washington, D.C., #13-1656647.”

Gifts by Beneficiary Designation

Support Freedom House for years to come by naming us as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance plan, bank account, or other assets. This is one of the easiest ways to give. It doesn’t require an estate plan or lawyer, and you can change your beneficiaries at any time.

It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift:

1. Contact your retirement plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.
2. Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

Sample Beneficiary Designation: 

To designate Freedom House as a beneficiary designation of a qualified retirement plan or another financial account, please use the following information:

Freedom House, Inc. (Tax ID #13-1656647)
1850 M Street NW, 11th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tax ID#: 13-1656647

Other Way to Make a Legacy Gift

Donor Advised Funds

 Gifting your donor-advised charitable fund (Fidelity Charitable®, Vanguard Charitable®, Schwab Charitable® or other) to Freedom House after your lifetime is a great planned giving option. Allocate the donor-advised charitable fund in full, or a specific amount or percentage, to be distributed over a fixed time or until the balance becomes zero.

Thank you for considering making a profound and lasting effect with Freedom House and supporting our mission to strengthen democracy and protect human rights around the world.

There are many other giving options you may consider to meet your specific goals and interests. For further information about making a gift to Freedom House or if you need to inform us of your future intended gift, please contact the Development Department directly: [email protected] or 202.747.7000.