Every Gift Changes a Life
There are many powerful ways to support Reach Rescue. Whether you give today or plan a gift for the future, your generosity provides a safe haven for animals in need.
Donate NowNot Sure Which Giving Option Is Right for You?
Answer two quick questions and we'll point you in the right direction.
Three Powerful Ways to Give
These giving options are requested most often by our supporters because they're tax-smart, simple to set up, and make a lasting difference.
🏦 Retirement Account Beneficiary
Designating Reach Rescue as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan is one of the most impactful — and easiest — gifts you can make. Retirement assets are among the most heavily taxed assets in an estate, so leaving them to charity can be a smart financial and philanthropic move.
How it works: Contact your plan administrator and request a Beneficiary Designation form. Name Reach Rescue for all or a percentage of the account. No attorney needed — takes just minutes.
You'll need our EIN (see above) when completing your form.
Get Help Getting Started →📋 Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
If you are 70½ or older, you can give directly from your IRA to Reach Rescue — tax-free. A QCD counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and is excluded from your taxable income, making it one of the most efficient ways to give.
per individual in 2026 ($222,000 for married couples), transferred directly from your IRA to an eligible charity. The annual limit is indexed for inflation.
Important: Instruct your IRA custodian to make the check payable directly to Reach Rescue. Do not withdraw and re-donate — that would be taxable.
Request QCD Instructions →💛 Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)
A Donor-Advised Fund is one of the fastest-growing charitable vehicles because it's simple, flexible, and tax-efficient. Contribute to a DAF (via Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or others), receive an immediate tax deduction, and recommend grants to Reach Rescue at any time.
Benefits: Immediate tax deduction · Grow assets tax-free · Grant on your schedule · Reduce capital gains by contributing appreciated assets.
To grant: Log into your DAF, search "Reach Rescue," and use our EIN above.
Start a DAF Grant →Every dollar you give goes directly toward the care, safety, and placement of animals in need.
Make a Gift Today →"Leaving a gift to Reach Rescue in my estate plan was the easiest decision I've ever made. Knowing that animals will be cared for long after I'm gone gives me real peace of mind. The team made the whole process simple and personal."— Reach Rescue Supporter, Legacy Donor
Planned & Strategic Giving
A planned gift allows you to support Reach Rescue's mission long into the future while often providing meaningful financial and tax benefits to you and your family. Every gift, regardless of size, creates a lasting legacy of compassion.
📜 Bequest in Your Will
One of the most meaningful gifts you can leave is a bequest — a gift to Reach Rescue through your will or living trust. A bequest costs you nothing during your lifetime and can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other bequests are fulfilled.
Simply ask your attorney to include language naming Reach Rescue as a beneficiary. See the sample language below — you can copy it directly.
📄 Sample Attorney Language
"I give, devise, and bequeath to Reach Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit organization located in Mundelein, Illinois (Tax ID / EIN: 45-3207671), [the sum of $_____ / ____% of my estate / all of the residue of my estate] to be used for its general charitable purposes."
🛡️ Life Insurance Policy
Name Reach Rescue as a full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy. This is a simple way to make a significant future gift at no additional cost to you today. You can also donate a paid-up policy you no longer need and receive a charitable deduction.
Contact your insurance provider to update your beneficiary designation. It takes just a few minutes and requires no legal changes to your will. You'll need our EIN (displayed above).
📈 Gifts of Stock & Appreciated Securities
Donating long-term appreciated stock, mutual funds, or other securities directly to Reach Rescue is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. You avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value.
Ask your broker to transfer shares to Reach Rescue's brokerage account — we'll provide the DTC instructions, account number, and our EIN. Most transfers complete in 3–5 business days.
Please notify us before initiating a transfer so we can credit your gift correctly and send acknowledgment.
⚖️ Charitable Trusts
A charitable trust can provide income to you or your loved ones while ultimately benefiting Reach Rescue.
- Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): Provides income to you during your lifetime; the remainder passes to Reach Rescue.
- Charitable Lead Trust (CLT): Reach Rescue receives income for a set period; assets then transfer to your heirs with reduced estate taxes.
We recommend consulting with an estate planning attorney or financial advisor to determine which structure best fits your goals.
More Ways to Leave a Legacy
- 🏦 Payable / Transfer on Death (POD/TOD). Name Reach Rescue as a POD or TOD beneficiary on a bank, brokerage, or CD account. Fully revocable, requires only a beneficiary form, and bypasses probate.
- 🇺🇸 U.S. Savings Bonds. Bonds left to charity at death pass without the accumulated-interest tax burden your heirs would otherwise owe — making them an especially efficient bequest asset.
- 🏡 Real Estate. A home, vacation property, or land can be donated outright or used to fund a charitable trust. We accept real estate gifts on a case-by-case basis after a written appraisal.
- 💼 Closely-Held Business Interests. Privately-held stock, LLC interests, or partnership shares may be giftable with significant tax advantages. Please contact us before initiating a transfer.
Tributes, Memorials & Celebrations
Turn life's most meaningful moments into gifts that change animals' lives. A tribute donation is a beautiful way to celebrate, remember, and honor — while making a real difference.
Memorial Gifts
Honor a loved one — human or animal — with a donation made in their memory. We will send a personalized acknowledgment to the family notifying them of your tribute. A gift in memory is a beautiful way to say "they mattered."
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mark life's milestones with a gift that saves lives. Whether it's a birthday, anniversary, or retirement, a tribute donation is a heartfelt way to celebrate while supporting animals in our care.
Wedding Gifts That Matter
Looking for a unique, compassionate way to celebrate your wedding? Ask guests to donate to Reach Rescue in lieu of traditional gifts. We'll help you create a custom page or provide shareable resources to make the ask easy and joyful.
Honor a Pet
Celebrate the life of a beloved companion with a tribute gift. Whether remembering a pet you've lost or honoring one still by your side, your donation ensures other animals receive the love and care they deserve.
Tell Us — Confidentially
If you've already named Reach Rescue in your will, trust, retirement account, or insurance policy, we'd love to thank you. Letting us know is completely confidential — it's never an obligation, and you can request anonymity. It simply helps us plan responsibly for the animals who will depend on your future gift.
Let Us KnowNamed Endowments
An endowment gift creates a permanent fund in your name or in honor of a loved one — invested to generate income that supports Reach Rescue's programs in perpetuity. Families have funded named opportunities such as:
- A medical-care fund covering surgeries and emergency vet bills
- A senior-dog program for animals who need long-term sanctuary
- A spay/neuter & vaccination fund for community outreach
- Named kennels, intake rooms, or training spaces in honor of a beloved pet or family member
Contact us to learn about current naming opportunities, minimum gift thresholds, and how we'll recognize your family's legacy for years to come.
We're Here to Help
Have questions about any of these giving options? Our team is happy to walk you through the process, share our EIN and brokerage instructions, or connect you with the right resources — no obligation, just a conversation. Conversations about planned gifts are always confidential.
Email Us Call (847) 566-6799 Visit Reach RescueReach Rescue, Inc. · 372 Townline Road, Mundelein, IL 60060 · 501(c)(3) nonprofit
The information on this page is offered as general educational guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. We encourage you to consult your attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional before making a planned gift.