The Legacy Society is a community of givers who are making history and rivers part of their lasting legacy. By planning a future gift to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, Legacy Society members help ensure that our work will continue inspiring stewardship for generations to come.
Before making any planned gift, we recommend consulting with your financial or tax advisor. This ensures that your philanthropic goals align with your financial plans, maximizing the impact of your gift while considering any potential tax benefits or implications. Working with your advisor helps ensure that your legacy supports the causes you care about in the most effective way possible.
WAys To Give
A Gift in Your Will
Including the River Museum in your will or trust is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make a difference. A bequest of any size helps sustain our educational programming, exhibits, and conservation efforts for future generations. By making this commitment, you ensure that your values live on through our work.
Non-Cash Assets
You can contribute more than just cash to support our mission. Consider making a donation of appreciated assets like stocks, bonds, or real estate. These types of gifts can provide significant tax advantages while empowering us to continue our educational and conservation initiatives.
Beneficiary Designations
An easy way to make a lasting impact is by naming the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium as a beneficiary in your retirement plan, life insurance policy, or bank account. This option allows you to maintain control of your assets throughout your lifetime, while also creating a meaningful legacy that supports our mission in the future.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
For those 70 ½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA can be a tax-efficient way to make an impact during your lifetime. A direct transfer from your IRA to the River Museum reduces your taxable income while providing immediate support for our programs. This is an excellent option that helps to satisfy the required minimum distributions (RMDs) requirement.
Legacy Giving is a great way to support our mission for generations to come!
Additionally, Legacy Gifts made to the endowment support the organization’s long-term goals and are invested in perpetuity. The organization has its own endowment fund as well as an endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Endowed funds keep principal gifts intact while providing annual investment income to the organization. The investment income generated from this principal is used annually to support our education programs and supplement our annual needs. Gifts made to endowment funds provide sustained and reliable support for long-term institutional needs, helping to invest in future growth. With your support, a strong endowment can transform our organization.
Get in touch
If you have any questions for our team, we want to provide the best possible support for you. Additionally, if you've already included us in your will or estate plan, let us know. We'd love to welcome you to the Legacy Society! Contact our Development Team at development@rivermuseum.org or 563-557-9545 x201.