Ways to Give 

Why give?

As an indepdendent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust relies on the generosity of those who, like us, cherish this special place and want to see it well preserved and stewarded. Our historic structures, museum spaces, and wildlife refuge are a source of learning, inspiration, and tranquility for many and with your help, we will do everything we can to make sure it is protected and well-cared for for generations to come.

GIFTS

We rely on many types of gifts to achieve our mission. From one-time donations, inclusion of our organization in your will to matching gifts from your company, there are many ways to give!

OTHER WAYS

LegacY GIVING

Legacy giving—also known as planned giving—provides vital long-term support for the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust. These special gifts help preserve our historic island and wildlife refuge for generations to come. Legacy gifts may also offer you and your family immediate or future tax benefits.

There are many ways to make a meaningful legacy gift. Some are as simple as naming our organization in your will or as a beneficiary of a retirement or life insurance plan. Others may involve more structured options such as charitable trusts. We encourage you to speak with your estate planning attorney to find the best option for your goals.

Here are a few popular and tax-efficient ways to leave a legacy:

Gifts by Will or Living Trust
Include a bequest to the Rose Island Lighthouse & Fort Hamilton Trust in your will or trust. You can give a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other distributions. Benefits may include:

  • Leaving a lasting legacy to support Rose Island

  • Reducing the tax burden on your heirs

  • Potential estate tax savings

Gifts of Retirement Plans

You can name Rose Island as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account. These assets may be more tax-efficient when donated to charity than passed to heirs.

IRA Distributions (Qualified Charitable Distributions)
If you're age 70½ or older, you can donate up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to Rose Island tax-free. This direct gift reduces your taxable income and supports our mission right away.

Gifts of Life Insurance
Consider naming Rose Island as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy. This is an easy way to make a significant impact without affecting your current assets.

Life Income Gifts
Options like Charitable Gift Annuities (CGAs) and Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) allow you to make a gift to Rose Island while receiving regular income for yourself or your loved ones.

If you’ve already included Rose Island in your estate plans, we’d love to thank you and recognize you as a member of the Rose Island Legacy Society. Please be in touch.

For more information on these gift options please speak with your estate planning attorney and contact Rose Island Executive Director Sean O’Connor at sean@roseisland.org or 202-222-8921