Beneficiary designations
Photograph by Gary Sexton. Image courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Why beneficiary designations are so powerful
Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.
Charitable benefits
Commonly gifted assets for beneficiaries
- IRA
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Joint real estate
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint property ownership
Gift an asset
If you’re interested in designating the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as a beneficiary of an asset, our easy-to-use software will help guide you through the process!
Report a gift
If you’ve already designated the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as a beneficiary of an asset, let us know!
We would love to thank you personally and make sure that your wishes are followed.
FAQ
You can make a meaningful contribution by designating the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (EIN: 94-3045948) as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy. Contact your insurance company for the beneficiary designation form.
Bank and Investment Accounts: Many financial institutions allow you to designate beneficiaries directly on your accounts. By naming the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (EIN: 94-3045948) as a payable on death (POD) or transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary, you can ensure that your assets are transferred smoothly and efficiently.
A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.
Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.
The most gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.
Yes! Even if you have a will in place, you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.
No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you.
Yes! You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.
Already included us in your estate plans?
Letting us know is incredibly helpful to our team and helps make sure your gift is used how you want it to be.
Have questions? Get in touch!
Our team is happy to speak with you about your giving goals, confidentially and with no obligation.Name:
Contact us through this form or at plannedgiving@famsf.org.
More ways to make an impact
Gifts for the future
Donations in your will or trust are the most popular type of legacy gift, while gifting assets not covered by your will, like 401(k) or IRA accounts, may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes.
Gifts that pay you back
Transfer securities, cash, or other property to the Museums and we’ll manage the investment of the assets and pay an income to you, your designated beneficiaries, or both. Receive payments for the rest of your life or up to a certain number of years.
Tax-smart gifts
Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.