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Planned Giving

The Parks Legacy Circle honors and celebrates those who have committed to our city’s parks and public spaces, by establishing a future gift through their will, trust, or other planned gift.  

Become a member of the Parks Legacy Circle

Do you envision thriving parks and public spaces as part of what you leave for future generations? The Parks Legacy Circle is a way for park lovers to invest in the future of parks and public spaces that make Seattle unique.

By including Seattle Parks Foundation in your estate plans you help secure the future of our organization as we advance projects for parks, increase tree canopy in areas that need it most, and support community-based groups leading public space projects across the city. Your generosity and planning will impact Seattle’s parks for years to come.

These gifts come in myriad forms – many of which won’t affect your current financial resources but will have a significant impact on Seattle Parks Foundation’s work.

Whether you put your donation to work today or make plans to benefit us after your lifetime, you can create a charitable plan that allows you to provide for your family and support charitable passions. We can help you explore options.

When you reach out to our team, there is never any obligation or pressure to make a gift. We are happy to discuss your options and serve as a resource.

Designating Your Gift

We’re available to discuss options that align with your interests and ensure maximum impact. Seattle Parks Foundation supports networks of community and public-sector partners to create and sustain a thriving system of public spaces throughout the city. The Foundation also advocates for public policies and investments that improve the health, resilience, and wellbeing of all Seattle residents.

You can designate your future gift for one of the following purposes:

  • For the Highest Need: Your unrestricted legacy gift helps us further our vital mission and vision for our city and provides us with the flexibility to use your gift where it is most needed, including advocating for park funding, working toward climate justice through nature-based solutions, and investing in our operations to boost our effectiveness and impact.

  • The Love Parks Impact Fund: Acting as an opportunity fund, the Love Park Impact Fund (LPIF) is invested in transformational projects – large and small – to build momentum or cover a gap at a key moment in the project timeline. This trust-based grant fund makes strategic investments in our parks and partners when and where funds are needed most, whether it’s to launch the design phase, pay for capital improvements, support ongoing stewardship efforts, or to host community-centered engagement around the projects. Acting as a catalyst, the LPIF encourages private-sector philanthropy and public funding of parks projects. By leveraging in this way, your gift can triple in impact and bring important projects to fruition for all to enjoy.

  • Partner Designations: Designating one of our community partners supports community-centered park and public spaces efforts at the neighborhood level. Please note some of our partners are not intended to exist in perpetuity, and others are fundraising for a specific project with a specific completion date. In circumstances when honoring a designation is not possible, Seattle Parks Foundation will make every effort to apply the funds to a similar project.

Notify Us of Your Legacy Intention

To notify Seattle Parks Foundation of your intention to leave a legacy gift, please complete the following form.

Name
Address
Gift Details
Check All Plans that Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on your assets, there are a variety of ways to include SPF in your plans. The most common examples include:
  • Including SPF as a beneficiary of your will or living trust
  • Designating SPF as a beneficiary of a variety of assets, including IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, qualified retirement plans, Donor Advised Funds (DAF), life insurance plans, brokerage accounts, bank accounts (checking or savings), and real estate
  • Establishing a life income arrangement such as a charitable remainder trust
  • Creating a charitable lead trust or split-interest trust designed to provide charitable support while reducing estate and gift taxes
  • Providing SPF with a remainder interest in your home or other property
  • Percentage bequest. Leaving a specific percentage of your overall estate. For example, you may wish to leave 25% of your estate to Seattle Parks Foundation.
  • Specific bequest. A gift of a specific dollar amount or asset such as real estate, a car, or other property. For example, you may wish to leave $25,000 to Seattle Parks Foundation.
  • Residual bequest. A bequest made from the balance of an estate after all specific bequests have been fulfilled. For example, you may wish to leave 30% of the residue of your estate to Seattle Parks Foundation.
  • Contingent bequest. A bequest realized only if the primary bequest cannot be fulfilled. For example, you choose to leave a vacation home to a relative and specify that if the relative is not alive at the time of your death, the vacation home will go to Seattle Parks Foundation.

Seek the advice of your legal advisor about including Seattle Parks Foundation in your will or as a beneficiary of certain assets. Depending on your circumstances, it can be as easy as adding Seattle Parks Foundation as a beneficiary.

We recommend consulting your legal advisor regarding how best to structure your estate plans. Some information and basic bequest language that may be helpful for this process is below.

Our Legal Name and Federal Tax ID
Legal Name: Seattle Parks Foundation
Address: PO BOX 3541, Seattle, WA 98124-3541
Federal Tax ID Number: 91-1998597

Legal Language
You can name a specific dollar amount or a particular asset, such as stocks or real estate.

Percentage
I give to Seattle Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at PO Box 3541 Seattle, WA 98124-3541, Federal Tax ID #91-1998597, _______percent of the residue of my estate.

Specific Amount
I give to Seattle Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at PO Box 3541 Seattle, WA 98124-3541, Federal Tax ID #91-1998597, the sum of $_______.

Residual
I give to Seattle Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization located at PO Box 3541 Seattle, WA 98124-3541, Federal Tax ID #91-1998597, ____ percent of the residue of my estate.

If you have already named Seattle Parks Foundation in your estate plans—THANK YOU! Your commitment to parks and public spaces makes you a member of our Parks Legacy Circle. We are honored to be part of your legacy and encourage you to notify us by completing the legacy form above or contacting us at 206.332.9900. By letting us know, we can celebrate your generosity and ensure we fulfill your gift as intended.

Thank you for considering such a visionary gift! We invite you and your professional advisors to contact us by email or call at 206.332.9900. We are available to provide more information, answer questions you may have, and provide consultation to ensure your planned gift arrangement is right for you. All inquiries are held in the strictest confidence and there is no obligation.

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Each time we visit a Seattle Park, which is often, we are reminded of the vision of John Charles Olmsted and of the early Seattleites’ leadership in creating our many beautiful parks. It’s wonderful that the Parks Foundation was created to enhance our parks. That’s why we’ve included SPF in our Estate Planning.

Kathy and Keith Biever

Parks Legacy Circle Members

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As a third generation Seattleite, frequent park walker, and active volunteer with Volunteer Park Trust, at Olmsted’s “crown jewel”, I joined the Parks Legacy Circle to preserve and enhance Seattle’s parks and green space knowing how crucial they are to all current and future residents!

Janice Sears

Parks Legacy Circle Member

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Seattle’s beauty and our joy in living here are thanks in large part to her parks. We cherish our proximity to magnificent natural spaces and the community they create. In our volunteer work, we have experienced first hand for decades how the Seattle Parks Foundation and its wonderful staff offer Seattle’s community members the opportunity, the reach and the skills to support our parks. Our hope is that our community’s children and future generations will care for our parks and share our joy, and we know SPF will nourish those aspirations.

Patricia Killam and Richard Wenger

Parks Legacy Circle Members

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Photo of man with two dogs. Photo provided by Roger Nyhus.

Our parks and public spaces are the soul of our great city, and preserving this legacy is even more important as we grow. As the godfather to four boys, a dog owner, and frequent visitor of our parks, I joined the Parks Legacy Circle to protect and enhance this vital connection to nature in our city.

Roger Nyhus

President & CEO of Nyhus Communications and Capitol Hill resident

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Photo of Karen Daubert, former Executive Director of Seattle Parks Foundation, hiking. Photo credit unknown.

Parks have always been near and dear to my heart, and I want future generations to be able to connect with neighbors and with family and friends in our unique public places.

Karen Daubert

Parks Legacy Circle Member

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Photo of Allegra Calder and Gabe Grant cycling in nature. Photo credit unknown.

We believe parks are essential to cities. As urban dwellers, we consider parks our backyard and our front porch. They provide a place for community connection, recreation, and calm, and they regularly remind us how beautiful and diverse a place Seattle is. We joined the Parks Legacy Circle because we want to make sure that Seattle can care for and add to its terrific park spaces as it continues to grow.

Allegra Calder and Gabe Grant

Parks Legacy Circle Members

Our Parks Legacy Circle Members

Recognizing extraordinary donors whose estate plans include legacy gifts to Seattle Parks Foundation.

Anonymous (11)
Sally Bagshaw
Thatcher Bailey
Ross Baker and Karen Brandvick-Baker
Jane Ballard
Kathy and Keith Biever
Lynn Bursten
Tom Byers
Allegra Calder and Gabriel Grant
Sharon and Ken Coleman Fund
Barbara and James Crutcher
Karen Daubert
Ann Fagan
Barbara Feasey
Brian Giddens and Steve Rovig
Don Goldberg and Gail Resnik
Roy Hamrick
Nancy Horiuchi
David James
Patricia Killam and Richard Wenger
Carol Lewis
Thomas Mathers
Pamela McCabe
Roger Nyhus
Mike and Edith Ruby
Janice Sears
Jean* and Pierre Sundborg
Chris* and Dave Towne
Catherine Walker
Pamela Weeks
Tom and Lyn White

The Estate of:
Anonymous (2)
Barbara Bailey
William M. Black
Marjorie Boetter
Lloyd Douglas
Julie Gerrard
Gretchen Hull
Betty Jane Kreager
Phyllis Lamphere
Larry Rand

Disclaimer

The information provided is not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Consult your financial or legal advisor to determine which options are best for you and your family, and to maximize the tax advantages of your gift.

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Mail a check

To make a donation by mail, please send a check payable to Seattle Parks Foundation to:

PO Box 3541
Seattle, WA 98124-3541

If your gift is intended for one of our community partners, please add their name in the memo line or with an accompanying note.

A tax receipt will be mailed to you upon receipt of your contribution.

Thank you!

Donate Your Car

Have an old car taking up space in your driveway?

Donate it to Seattle Parks Foundation!

We accept most cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, heavy equipment, and other motorized vehicles. All or part of your donation may be tax deductible.

To get started, simply complete the online donation form or call 855.500.7433 or 855.500.RIDE to speak to a representative. You can also read more at careasy.org.