Planned Giving

Ensure your animal-loving legacy lives on by making a provision in your estate plan for the animals of Hamilton County and beyond. Your legacy commitment will allow us to continue saving lives and providing second chances to every animal that comes through our doors for years to come.

Already made a provision for HSHC in your will? Please fill out our Statement of Intent so we can honor and thank you during your lifetime.

Operating endowment gifts provide an endless source of support and are pooled to earn annual interest. The income is spent for current needs while the principal remains untouched. At this time, HSHC does not have an operating endowment. It is absolutely critical that we establish an endowment to sustain the bright future we’ve worked so hard to build.

 There is currently a naming opportunity for the first lead gift ($500,000 or greater) we receive to help us establish the endowment.

Gifts to the operating endowment can be made in installments. Contact developmentdirector@hamiltonhumane.com to notify us of future donations.

Avoid capital gains through a gift of highly appreciated stock while taking a full value deduction on your tax returns.

For stock transfer and delivery instructions, please contact developmentdirector@hamiltonhumane.com.

If you’re 70½ or older and own a Traditional IRA, you can support HSHC’s lifesaving work while enjoying significant tax benefits. In 2024, you can transfer up to $105,000 from your IRA via a Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”).
The Three Benefits of a QCD:
NO Income Taxes on the Distribution: The money transferred directly from your IRA to HSHC is not taxed.
The Distribution does not Increase Your Adjusted Gross Income (“AGI”): Because QCDs are not added to your AGI, this can help in several ways. Plus, it is a fantastic way to get tax savings on your charitable contribution, especially if you do not itemize deductions.
Counts Toward Your Required Minimum Distributions (“RMDs”): Once you reach your RMD age, you are required to take RMDs from your IRA every year. QCDs count toward your RMDs—so, instead of taking an RMD and having to pay taxes on it, you can satisfy your RMD by donating that amount to charity—avoiding taxes and supporting HSHC.

Any IRA owner who wishes to make a QCD for 2024 and beyond should contact their IRA custodian so the custodian will have time to complete the transaction before the end of the year.

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) 

Different types of valuable assets may be sold through a charitable remainder trust to provide payments for life – or a period up to 20 years – to the creator of the trust. When the trust later terminates, the trust assets can be used to benefit the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

Generally, the sale of valuable assets through a CRT delays and sometimes eliminates the capital gains tax on any appreciation and reduces or avoids estate and gift taxes.

Lead Trusts

Valuable assets may be put in a trust that provides an annual payout to one or more charities for the term of the trust. At the end of the term, the remaining property in the trust is distributed to family members of the creator’s family.

You can name the Humane Society for Hamilton County as a full, partial or contingent beneficiary of any life insurance policy or you can donate a life insurance policy that is no longer needed outright so that HSHC receives the current cash value.

Please request a beneficiary form from your insurance carrier to make a gift of life insurance.