Planned Giving

Leave a Legacy of Healing & Connection

When you make a planned gift to PALS, you ensure that our work—bringing the power of the horse-human bond to individuals with disabilities—continues for generations to come. Your gift can create lasting joy, growth, and healing for our clients and their families.

To explore how these giving options might work for you, we encourage you to speak with your financial or legal advisor. They can help you determine the best way to align your charitable goals with your personal financial plans.

This information is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax, legal, or financial advice. For guidance on how any planning strategy may impact your personal financial, tax, or estate situation, please consult a qualified professional advisor.

Legacy Gifts

A gift in your will or trust (bequests) is a simple and powerful way to support PALS in the future, without impacting your finances today. You can leave a specific amount, a percentage, or the remainder after other gifts are fulfilled.

Smart Giving From Your Assets

You can name PALS as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), bank account, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund. This type of giving is simple to set up, often in just a few minutes, and may provide tax advantages for you and your loved ones, while supporting a mission you care about.

Gifts That Give Back

Support PALS while receiving income for life through a Charitable Gift Annuity or Charitable Remainder Trust. If you’re 70½ or older, you can also make a tax-free donation directly from your IRA.

The Universal Charitable Deduction

Due to recent changes in tax law, starting next year, all taxpayers, including those who don’t itemize, can deduct up to $1,000 in charitable contributions annually (or $2,000 for joint filers). This permanent universal charitable deduction opens new doors for individuals to support causes they care about while receiving a tax benefit, regardless of whether they itemize. 

Legacy Gifts

Create a future of inclusion and empowerment—without affecting your finances today.

GIFTS BY WILL OR TRUSTS (BEQUESTS)

A simple bequest in your will or living trust is one of the most meaningful ways to support PALS’ future—without affecting your finances today. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are fulfilled.

A bequest can be made in several ways:

  1. You can gift a specific dollar amount or an asset
  2. You can gift a percentage of your estate
  3. You can gift from the balance or residue of your estate
  4. You can make a beneficiary designation of certain assets

Benefits:

  • No cost during your lifetime
  • Flexible and revocable
  • Leaves a lasting legacy of inclusion and empowerment

Smart Giving From Your Assets

Naming PALS as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, bank account, or life insurance is a simple, meaningful way to support our mission—often taking just minutes with no legal fees.

BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION GIFTS

Naming People & Animal Learning Services (PALS) as a beneficiary of your retirement account, bank or brokerage account, donor-advised fund, or life insurance policy is an easy, impactful way to support our mission. This type of gift typically takes just a few minutes to set up, requires no legal fees, and allows you to continue using your assets during your lifetime. It’s a thoughtful way to help PALS while potentially reducing taxes for your loved ones and leaving a legacy of healing and connection.

Assets you can use:

  • IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans
  • Bank or brokerage accounts
  • Life insurance
  • Donor-advised funds

Benefits:

  • Support the causes that you care about
  • Continue to use your account during your life
  • Simplify your planning and avoid expensive legal fees
  • Reduce the burden of taxes on your family
  • Receive an estate tax charitable deduction

GIFTS OF LIFE INSURANCE

A life insurance policy you no longer need can become a powerful force for good. You can name PALS as a beneficiary or donate ownership of the policy itself.

You can:

  • Name PALS as a full or partial beneficiary
  • Donate a paid-up policy
  • Transfer ownership of an existing policy

Gifts That Give Back

Support PALS while receiving income, tax savings, or both—creating a win-win for you and our mission.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES (CGAs)

A Charitable Gift Annuity allows you to support PALS while receiving dependable income for life. After your lifetime, the remaining gift will support therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services.

What you receive:

  • Fixed payments for life
  • A partial tax deduction
  • A legacy that keeps giving

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS

With a Charitable Remainder Trust, you can support PALS and receive income for life or a term of years. After the trust ends, the remaining assets will help provide life-changing equine-assisted services.

Benefits:

  • Regular income for you or your loved ones
  • Potential tax savings
  • Avoid capital gains on donated assets

This option is ideal for donors with appreciated assets like real estate or stock.

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER (QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION – QCD)

If you’re age 70½ or older, you can donate directly from your IRA to PALS—tax-free—while satisfying your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).

For 2025:

  • Give up to $108,000 per person
  • Couples can give up to $216,000 if both are eligible
  • Reduce taxable income, even if you don’t itemize

Benefits:

  • Avoid taxes on charitable transfers of up to $108,000 from your IRA
  • 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

Have questions?

Fill out the form to the right and a member of our team will be in touch!