Your love of birds can last a lifetime — and beyond

Today is National Legacy Day, and we wanted to mark it by sharing something we've been working toward for a while: the official launch of Avian Haven's planned giving program and our legacy society, the Wings Forward Legacy Circle.

If you've ever thought about what happens to the things that matter most to you after you're gone, planned giving is worth understanding. And if you've already included Avian Haven in your estate plans — we'd love to know.

What is planned giving?

Planned giving refers to charitable gifts that are arranged now but take effect in the future — most often through a will or estate plan. Unlike a cash donation, a planned gift typically costs you nothing in your lifetime. It's a decision you make today, quietly and privately, that becomes a lasting expression of what you valued.

The most common form is a bequest — a straightforward provision in your will or living trust that designates a gift to Avian Haven. It can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or whatever remains after your other obligations are met. No gift is too small to be meaningful.

But there are other forms of planned giving that can be even more powerful — particularly for donors who want to give generously while reducing their tax burden:

Beneficiary designations

Name Avian Haven as a beneficiary on a retirement account (IRA, 401k) or life insurance policy. These assets pass outside your estate, avoid income taxes, and require no attorney — just a form update with your plan administrator.

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)

If you're 70½ or older, you can direct up to $111,000 per year from your IRA directly to Avian Haven. The gift counts toward your required minimum distribution and is excluded from your taxable income entirely. It is, in many cases, the most tax-efficient gift available.

Gifts of appreciated securities

Donating stock you've held for more than a year allows you to give the full market value, avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation, and claim a charitable deduction — all at once.

We always encourage you to consult your attorney or financial advisor about what makes the most sense for your situation. We're happy to provide any information you need to facilitate that conversation.

Introducing the Wings Forward Legacy Circle

The Wings Forward Legacy Circle is our community of donors who have chosen to extend their love of birds into the future. Membership is simple: if you've included Avian Haven in your estate plans — at any level, in any form — you're welcome to join.

There are no fees, no minimums, and no public commitment required. What you'll receive is our deepest gratitude, meaningful updates about the birds your gift will protect, and an invitation to a community of people who, like you, believe this work matters long after any of us are here to see it.

We've also launched a planned giving resource page at avianhaven.planned.gifts, where you'll find suggested bequest language, an estate planning guide, and information about each gift type — including how to make the most tax-advantaged gift possible.

If you've already included Avian Haven in your will or estate plans, please let us know by filling out this short form. We'd love to welcome you into the Wings Forward Legacy Circle — and to ask, with your permission, whether we may recognize you as a founding member.

Your gift, whenever it arrives, will be honored and put to work for the birds of Maine.

Thank you — for everything you've given, and for thinking about what comes next.