Planned Giving
Planned Giving Offers Flexibility
Planned giving gives you the flexibility to determine how you want to support the Carolina Raptor Center’s vibrant future. You can make an unrestricted gift or underwrite one of our existing program areas—avian medicine, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education, or raptor food to name a few.
Whether a donor uses cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance, a retirement plan, etc., the benefits of funding a planned gift can make this type of charitable giving very attractive to both donor and charity.
How should I give?
Here is an outline of some of the most common types of planned gifts. You should consult a tax/legal professional to determine which vehicle will help meet your individual needs.
Gift Type |
Your Goal |
Your Benefits |
Bequests |
Defer a gift until after your lifetime |
-Estate tax exemption |
Retirement Assets |
Avoid the twofold taxation on IRAs or other employee benefits |
-Removes tax from the most highly taxed asset, leaving more for family |
Charitable Remainder Trusts |
Give low-basis investments, receive a steady income and tax deduction, and avoiding capital gains |
-Income for life—fixed or variable based on trust type |
Charitable Lead Trusts |
Reduce gift and estate taxes on assets you pass to children or grandchildren |
-Reduces your taxable estate |
Join the Golden Eagle Society
The Golden Eagle Society is a major donor initiative for friends of The Raptor Center (RC) that look to leave their legacy by supporting our efforts to conserve raptors through education outreach, research, and rehabilitation. By letting us know that you have made a planned gift to the RC, you will join the growing flock that is The Golden Eagle Society!
Over the past few years, planned gifts—like bequests and beneficiary designations of retirement assets—have become an increasingly important source of support, guaranteeing that the organization will have robust resources to conserve precious birds of prey into the future. In response to increased demand, we created The Golden Eagle Society to recognize members who have included the Raptor Center in their estate plans. Despite popular belief, you do not have to be wealthy to make a planned gift—you can give cash, real property, retirement assets and insurance policies.
In addition to ensuring the future stability of the Carolina Raptor Center, you will receive the following member benefits:
- Special recognition in the Eagle Aviary on the Raptor Trail
- Commemorative brick on the Raptor Trail
- Golden Eagle Society lapel pin
- Invitations to all major donor events
For more information, or to join the Golden Eagle Society today, email us today to learn more.