Individual Giving

Planned Giving

Planned gifts are increasingly important to the continued stability and artistic excellence of the Seattle Symphony. We offer a range of gift planning opportunities that allow you to make a lasting difference at the Symphony while meeting your personal financial and philanthropic goals.

If you have already included the Symphony in your estate plan, or you would like more information about legacy gifts, please notify us by downloading our printable Legacy Gift Notification/Interest Form and mailing it to:

Seattle Symphony
Attn: Becky Kowals
P.O. Box 21906
Seattle, WA 98111-2906

Musical Legacy Society

The Musical Legacy Society welcomes as lifetime members those who have named Seattle Symphony as a beneficiary of their estate plan.

In appreciation of their generosity and desire to ensure the Symphony's future, Musical Legacy Society members enjoy the following recognition and benefits:

  • An invitation to the annual Spring Luncheon and Recital
  • An invitation to attend Open Rehearsals
  • An invitation to the Annual Meeting and Reception
  • Recognition in Encore, the Report to the Community, and the Musical Legacy Society Donor Wall
  • A Musical Legacy Society lapel pin

Gift Planning Options

There are many ways to make a planned gift to the Symphony that will ensure the continued stability and artistic excellence of the Orchestra for future generations. Some popular options follow. Be sure to consult your legal and financial advisors regarding the applicability of the information below to your situation.

Bequest

You may specify a specific dollar amount or property, a percentage of your estate, or the residual after other designations are fulfilled. You may also designate the funds to our general operating budget or to the endowment fund. View our Sample Bequest Language.

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Beneficiary Designation

You can name Seattle Symphony as a designated beneficiary of many different assets — your IRA; 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified retirement plan; life insurance policy; commercial annuity contract; bank account; or brokerage account.

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Charitable Remainder Trust

A charitable remainder trust pays you and/or your loved one an income stream for life or a specified number of years. Upon the trust's termination, Seattle Symphony receives the remaining assets held by the trust.

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Charitable Lead Trust

A charitable lead trust makes payments to Seattle Symphony for your lifetime or a specified number of years. At the end of the trust term, the remaining assets are either returned to you or distributed to your heirs.

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Retirement Assets

This includes IRAs (regardless of the type of IRA) and most qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. Request a Beneficiary Designation Form from your plan administrator and designate Seattle Symphony Orchestra as a beneficiary of either a percent or a dollar amount.

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Life Insurance Policies and Commercial Annuity Contracts

Simply complete and return to the insurance company a form designating that Seattle Symphony Orchestra receive all or a portion of the death benefit associated with a life insurance policy or the remaining contract value, if any, associated with a commercial annuity.

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Bank Account

You can instruct your bank to pay to Seattle Symphony Orchestra all or a portion of what remains in a checking or savings account. Your bank can provide you with the appropriate beneficiary designation form.

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Investment Account

You can instruct your investment company to transfer to Seattle Symphony Orchestra some or all investments held in the account at the time of your passing. Your broker or agent can let you know the process for doing this — it may be as simple as adding “T.O.D. to Seattle Symphony Orchestra” after your name on the account.

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Outright Gifts of Other Assets

Symphony supporters may contribute not only cash and securities, but also, in some cases, real estate, savings bonds and commercial annuities.

Employee stock options may or may not be transferable, depending on your company's plan. Even if they are not transferable, you can arrange charitable gifts so that the tax payable upon exercise of the options will be substantially reduced.

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What gift is right for you?

The Seattle Symphony encourages you to speak with your attorney or other professional advisors before deciding on a course of action. Our experienced staff would be pleased to provide you and your advisors with additional information on estate gifts.

For more information, please contact Becky Kowals, Major Gifts Officer (Individuals and Planned Giving), at 206.215.4852 or Becky.Kowals@seattlesymphony.org.

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