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Gifts from Your Retirement Plan

Use Your Traditional IRA to Support Wildlife and Communities in Northern Kenya

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), also known as IRA Charitable Rollovers, are the savviest way for individuals age 70.5 or older to use their IRAs to maximize their charitable impact. The benefits include:

  • Reducing your taxable income – funds go directly from your IRA to Lewa, thereby helping you avoid higher income taxes.
  • Satisfying Required Minimum Distributions – If you do not withdraw your RMD, you face a penalty tax of 50% of the required withdrawal amount. QCDs can be used to meet your RMD and avoid penalties.
  • Maximizing your charitable impact – Lewa receives the full amount of the transfer tax-free. It’s a win-win situation that supports you and the wildlife you care about.

Remember, these gifts must come directly from your IRA account – funds that you withdraw and then contribute do not qualify. We are happy to provide you with a sample instruction letter for you to fill in and send to your IRA administrator.

Please contact us to let us know and to provide us with the information we need to ensure you receive your tax benefits.

Name Lewa Wildlife Conservancy USA as a Beneficiary of Your Retirement Plan

Support Lewa while avoiding the double taxation your retirement savings would incur should you leave it to your heirs. You can designate Lewa to receive all or a portion of the balance of your plan.

Beneficiary designations can be changed or revoked at any time without a penalty, and your regular lifetime withdrawals will not be affected.

Did you know?

  • Your retirement fund can be taxed up to 75% if passed on to heirs, yet it’s tax-free to charity.
  • By designating Lewa Wildlife Conservancy USA as your beneficiary, you will ensure 100% of the value of your account benefits Lewa’s mission.
  • You can use other assets to make gifts to your heirs and they will receive their share of your estate without the burden of extra taxes.

Questions? 

Contact: Legacy@Lewa.org
Federal tax ID number: 87-0572187