Ensure Your Love for Animals Lives On

Imagine a future where every pet in need finds a safe, loving home — one that you helped make possible. Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, allows you to extend your compassion for animals beyond your lifetime. By including the Blue Mountain Humane Society in your estate plans — whether through your will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance — you ensure that vulnerable animals continue to receive care, shelter, and second chances for years to come.

By planning a gift today, you can provide lasting support for BMHS’s mission while also enjoying potential financial benefits.

Why Choose BMHS for your Legacy?

Since 1967, Blue Mountain Humane Society has been dedicated to providing shelter, care, and second chances for animals in the Walla Walla Valley. Our mission is to promote kindness, prevent cruelty, and foster the human-animal bond.

Legacy gifts play a vital role in sustaining and expanding our efforts, including:

  • Sheltering and caring for over 1,300 animals annually.

  • Maintaining a 90% or higher live release rate through adoption and rehabilitation programs.

  • Conducting more than 2,800 spay/neuter surgeries each year to reduce pet overpopulation.

By including BMHS in your estate plans, you ensure that future generations of animals receive the care, compassion, and second chances they deserve.

Ways to Create Your Legacy

Blue Mountain Humane Society offers several options for leaving a legacy that reflects your love for animals. Whether you want to include BMHS in your will or explore other planned giving opportunities, you can find a solution that meets your needs and creates a lasting impact.

Explore the options below to find the giving method that’s right for you.

  • Including Blue Mountain Humane Society in your will or trust is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to leave a legacy. This method allows you to make a future gift without affecting your current finances. 

    Options for bequests include leaving a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate. 

    Suggested legal language: 

    “I give to Blue Mountain Humane Society, a nonprofit organization located at 7 East George Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362, Federal Tax ID #91-0828499, [insert dollar amount, percentage of estate, or description of assets] to be used for its general purposes.” 

    Consult your attorney to include BMHS in your will or trust, or contact us for guidance. 

  • Your retirement accounts and other financial assets can be a tax-efficient way to support BMHS. Naming BMHS as a beneficiary is a simple and flexible process.

    Eligible accounts include IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and CDs. To name BMHS as a beneficiary, request a beneficiary designation form from your account provider, list “Blue Mountain Humane Society” as a primary or contingent beneficiary, and provide our legal name, address, and Federal Tax ID #91-0828499.

    Contact your financial institution to complete the form or reach out to us for assistance.

  • Life insurance offers a unique way to make a lasting impact. By naming BMHS as a beneficiary, you can help ensure your legacy benefits animals in need.

    You can name BMHS as a full, partial, or contingent beneficiary of an existing life insurance policy, donate an existing policy by transferring ownership, or purchase a new policy and designate BMHS as the beneficiary.

    Possible benefits include tax deductions for donating ownership of a policy and assurance that your gift supports our lifesaving work. Consult your insurance provider or contact us for more information.

  • Charitable gift annuities and trusts are creative ways to support BMHS while securing financial benefits for yourself or your loved ones. These options provide steady income during your lifetime and ensure the remainder benefits animals.

    With a charitable gift annuity, you donate cash or appreciated securities, receive fixed income payments for life based on your age and the gift amount, and enjoy potential tax savings.

    With a charitable remainder trust, you transfer assets to a trust that provides income to you or your beneficiaries, and the remaining assets are distributed to BMHS after the trust’s term. This option also offers income tax deductions and potential capital gains savings.

    Contact us for personalized illustrations and guidance on setting up an annuity or trust.

  • Outright gifts of assets provide immediate support for BMHS’s mission. Eligible assets include stocks, bonds, real estate, and personal property such as vehicles or jewelry. 

    Benefits may include avoiding capital gains taxes on appreciated securities and receiving tax deductions based on the fair market value of your gift. 

    Consult your financial advisor to determine the best assets to give, or contact us to discuss your options. 

Creating Your Legacy

Including Blue Mountain Humane Society in your estate plans is easier than you might think. We’re here to make the process straightforward and to help you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting to think about your legacy or ready to finalize your plans, we’ll ensure your wishes align with your vision for helping animals.

Explore the steps below to begin creating your legacy.

Getting Started

  • Assess Your Goals: Determine what legacy you want to leave and how it aligns with your financial and personal priorities.

  • Explore Your Options: Learn about the various ways to give, such as including BMHS in your will, naming us as a beneficiary, or gifting appreciated assets.

  • Reach Out for Guidance: Contact our planned giving team to discuss your intentions and how your gift can make the greatest impact.

Planning Resources

  • Access Sample Language: Download suggested wording to include BMHS in your will or trust.

  • Use Planning Tools: Explore our downloadable checklists, guides, and FAQs to make the process seamless.

  • Find Expert Advice: Leverage resources to help you talk with legal and financial advisors.

Working With Advisors

  • Consult Legal Experts: Work with your attorney to formalize your legacy plans in your will or trust.

  • Tax and Financial Guidance: Speak with your financial advisor about tax advantages associated with planned giving.

  • Coordinate With BMHS: Share your plans with our team to ensure your gift aligns with our mission and programs.

Ready to start planning your legacy? Contact us today for personalized assistance or explore our resources to get started.

Let’s Plan Your Legacy Together

Whether you’re starting to explore your options or ready to finalize your plans, Blue Mountain Humane Society is here to help. Our team is happy to answer questions, provide resources, and guide you through the process of making a lasting impact for animals in need.

Contact us using the options below and take the first step in creating your legacy.

Schedule a Consultation

Meet with a member of our team to discuss your goals and how your gift can make the greatest impact.

Email Us

Send us your questions or request additional information about planned giving.
Email: development@bluemountainhumane.org

Call Us

Speak directly with our team for immediate assistance.
(509) 525-2452
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

We’re here to help you create a meaningful and lasting legacy. Contact us today and join a community dedicated to making a difference for animals in need.

Your Questions Answered

Planning your legacy is a big decision, and it’s natural to have questions. We’re here to help provide clarity and ensure your gift aligns with your wishes. Explore answers to some of the most common questions about legacy giving.

Select a question below to learn more or contact us for personalized support.

  • Yes, you can designate your gift to support specific programs, such as spay/neuter initiatives, medical care, or community education. However, unrestricted gifts are the most helpful, as they allow us to address the greatest and most urgent needs. To ensure your intentions are fulfilled, we recommend contacting our planned giving team to discuss your wishes.

  • Your plans can be updated at any time to reflect changes in your financial circumstances or priorities. In most cases, a simple amendment to your will or beneficiary designation is all that’s required to make adjustments.

  • Yes, we accept donations of real estate, vehicles, and other personal property. These gifts may be subject to specific conditions, so we recommend contacting us in advance to discuss your options and ensure the gift aligns with your intentions and our needs.

  • There is no minimum for including BMHS in your will or naming us as a beneficiary. However, some options, such as charitable gift annuities, may have minimum thresholds. Our team is happy to provide details and help you explore the best options for your situation.

  • Legacy gifts are vital to our mission, funding essential operations such as shelter services, lifesaving medical care, spay/neuter programs, and educational initiatives. Donors can trust that their contributions are used responsibly to create a lasting impact for animals in need.

  • While it’s not required, letting us know about your gift ensures that we can fulfill your wishes and provide proper recognition. Donors who notify us are invited to join our legacy donor recognition program, where we celebrate their generosity and share updates on the impact of their gift.

  • Yes, planned giving can offer significant tax advantages, such as reducing estate taxes or avoiding capital gains taxes on appreciated assets. We encourage you to consult with your financial or legal advisor to understand how a planned gift might benefit your situation.