Planned Giving

Make Your Mark through a Legacy Gift

With more than 15 billion records, the National Archives is the keeper of America’s many stories. Its holdings include original materials that serve as critical resources to promote civics education and historical understanding of our shared national experience. 

By making a legacy gift, you will help ensure that the many chapters of our American story—and the diverse voices that ring throughout—will be preserved and shared with millions of people worldwide for generations to come. Just as our Founding Fathers made their marks on history by signing our nation’s most precious documents, the Charters of Freedom, you too can mark your legacy by supporting the National Archives Foundation in many ways, including a provision in your estate plan. 

Lasting Ways to Support the National Archives Foundation

Gifts included in your long-term financial planning can provide lasting support to the National Archives Foundation. You can make a gift that benefits you and your family while still supporting the Foundation, including:

  • Bequest: A simple way, and the most popular, is to provide for the National Archives Foundation in your will or trust. This can be accomplished through a new will or by adding a codicil to your present will. You can arrange for the Foundation to receive:
    • A specific dollar amount.
    • A percentage of your estate, enabling your gifts to family and loved ones to remain proportional regardless of how your estate fluctuates over the years.
    • Specified assets such as securities, real estate, or tangible personal property.
  • Beneficiary Designation: One of the easiest ways to include the National Archives Foundation in your estate plans is to name it as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, IRA, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund. Just add the Foundation to the beneficiary designation form from your plan provider or administrator.
  • Giving from your IRA: If you are 70 1/2 years old or older, you can make a gift directly from your IRA to the National Archives Foundation while reducing or eliminating your capital gains and income tax responsibilities. For some, this will also satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution for the year.
  • Appreciated Securities: The gift of appreciated securities is an excellent way to make a major gift while eliminating or significantly reducing capital gains tax.

The National Archives Foundation also welcomes gifts through vehicles such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and charitable gift annuities.

Leaving A Legacy

As the ultimate melting pot of cultures, traditions, and histories, our country is made up of people from all walks of life—each with their own story to tell. The National Archives provides access to our nation’s many stories, connecting us to our past and present, our shared histories and diversity, and our common quest for building a more perfect Union.

To discuss making a gift to the Foundation or for more information about planned giving, please contact:
Laura Giroux
Deputy Director Campaign Operations
202-357-5137
[email protected]

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. The National Archives Foundation EIN is 52-1792608.