Make a Legacy Gift to MOSAC and Keep Curiosity Alive for Future Generations 

Pass along your values through a Legacy Gift to MOSAC, ensuring that science and a little curiosity can inspire future generations to achieve tomorrow what may seem impossible today. Our world is complex and the challenges ahead are sure to be daunting. It is our belief that keeping MOSAC’s brand of immersive, experiential learning accessible to future generations can prepare the critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators needed to shape the future of our world.

Legacy Planning Commitment Form

Orion Legacy Circle

Donors who have made a Legacy commitment to MOSAC are honored as members of our Orion Legacy Circle. The Orion Constellation is on the cusp of having a supernova – causing new stars—and potentially new planetary systems—to be born from the debris of old ones. Similarly, a Legacy Gift to MOSAC can give rise to new generations of curious scientists. We invite all donors to consider leaving their own mark on the future by joining the Orion Legacy Circle.
  • Annual reception to celebrate your commitment to MOSAC and STEM learning
  • Listing as a member on our website and in other communications
  • Acknowledgement in our annual report

Legacy Planning Commitment Form

Tax Smart Gifts You Can Make Now  

Most of us are used to making charitable gifts in the form of cash, check or credit card. These gifts come from our net income after we’ve paid taxes and may qualify for a tax deduction if you itemize. The most recent tax law changes do allow non-itemizers to receive $1,000 for single filers or $2,000 for married couples for charitable deductions, so you will want to check with your tax professional before making a gift. In any case, you may be surprised to learn that there are other ways to give that may have even stronger tax benefits.

You can make a gift of publicly traded appreciated stock or other securities and avoid the capital gains taxes you would otherwise pay if you sold the stock. You can also reduce income taxes because your deduction will be based on the current fair market value of the stock – no matter what you originally paid for it. To initiate a stock transfer, simply fill out our stock transfer form and send a copy to your broker. Please also send a copy to Michelle Bennyhoff at mbennyhoff@visitmosac.org so we can be on the lookout for your gift.

If you are 70 ½, and have an IRA* you can make gifts directly to a qualified nonprofit like MOSAC before year-end. These “Qualified Charitable Distributions” (QCDs) are the only way to avoid being taxed on IRA distributions because you are making a transfer directly to a qualified nonprofit rather than accepting the income yourself. Once you reach 73, you must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) annually. If you don’t need the income and prefer not to pay taxes on your distributions, please consider making your gift directly to MOSAC. Here are some rules to keep in mind:

  • The maximum annual amount for 2026 is $108,000 for each spouse. This applies to the sum of all QCDs you transfer to all nonprofits in the calendar year.
  • For the QCD to count toward your current year’s RMD, the gift must be received by MOSAC by December 31.
  • Funds must be transferred by your IRA custodian directly to MOSAC through the process provided by the custodian.

*You can also make charitable gifts directly from a Roth IRA, but you will want to consult your tax professional for the guidelines.

Gifts You can Make Now – Without Changing Your Estate Plan

You can use your beneficiary assets, such as life insurance or retirement plans, to quickly and easily make a Legacy Gift. Simply request a Change of Beneficiary form from your plan administrator or insurance carrier, and indicate whether you want to designate a fixed amount or percentage as a gift to MOSAC. You can send the completed form to your insurance or IRA administrator and forward a copy to Michelle Bennyhoff at mbennyhoff@visitmosac.org.

Simple Bequests   

Naming MOSAC as a beneficiary of your will or estate plan can be accomplished by working with your estate planning attorney to add a simple statement declaring your wishes. You can designate a fixed amount or a particular asset as your gift. You can also designate a percentage of your estate to ensure that your gift remains proportionate despite fluctuations over the years. Making a bequest costs you nothing now, but it incorporates your values into MOSAC’s future. Your gift may also lower estate and inheritance taxes, so it’s important to check with your advisors when updating your estate plan.

I, [Name], of [City, State, Zip Code], give [Particular Asset; Fixed Dollar Amount; Percentage of the Estate; or Description of Property] to the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity, Federal Tax ID 68-0321106.

Gifts That Pay Income 

There are some gift options that allow you to give and receive. Each allows you to enjoy tax benefits while receiving a fixed rate of return annually for a specified time period. While these time-tested gifts are beneficial for both nonprofits and donors, they do require the advice and expertise of your financial or legal advisors. 

With a Charitable Remainder Trust, you can use cash or appreciated assets to fund the trust and decide on the size of payments to yourself and/or others of your choice (within IRS limits). The trust assets remaining at the end of the beneficiary’s lifetime will support MOSAC’s mission. You may also receive tax advantages, such as: 

  • A partial income tax charitable deduction based in part on your age and the amount you contribute to the trust, and  
  • Elimination of any up-front capital gains tax when you fund the trust. 

A Charitable Lead Trust – often described as the opposite of a Remainder Trust – may be an excellent way to make a significant gift to MOSAC now and take care of your family later. You can use cash or appreciated assets to establish the trust, which will make periodic payments to MOSAC. At the end of the trust’s specified time period, the remaining assets will be distributed to the individual(s) of your choice. A Charitable Lead Trust can offer many benefits, including: 

  • The ability to transfer assets to your heirs at a reduced gift and estate tax cost because the assets in the trust are removed from your taxable estate,  
  • The flexibility to choose the time period of the trust, allowing you to pass the assets to your heirs when the funds may make a big difference in their lives, such as when buying a home or paying for college, and 
  • The satisfaction of supporting the MOSAC’s mission with regular gifts during your lifetime.  

Other Ways to Give

MOSAC does accept other non-cash assets, including real estate gifts, closely held stock, partnership interests and some tangible personal property. Since these assets require prior approval from our Board of Directors, please make sure to allow ample time when considering these gifts.

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more about joining our Orion Legacy Circle by making a Legacy Gift to MOSAC, please contact Michele Bennyhoff at mbennyhoff@visitmosac.org, and she can give you some ideas that you may want to consider when planning to make a legacy gift. To make your commitment now, simply fill out the form and send a signed copy to mbennyhoff@visitmosac.org.

Legacy Commitment Form