The Watershed Society
The Watershed Society recognizes donors who have chosen to support the Tennessee Aquarium beyond their lifetime through a will or trust, beneficiary designation, or other future gift arrangement.
Members of the Watershed Society help ensure that future generations can experience the wonders of the Aquarium for years to come. Through strategic giving, we collaborate with you and your professional advisors to explore opportunities that reflect your values, align with your financial goals, and advance your philanthropic vision.
If you have included the Tennessee Aquarium in your future giving plans, please let us know. Sharing your intentions helps us plan for the Aquarium’s long-term future and honor your wishes appropriately. All gift information remains strictly confidential, unless you request otherwise.
Interested in learning more?
Fill out a contact form and we will get in touch with more information.
To learn more about the Watershed Society or to inform us of your plans, please complete the following form.
If you are still exploring your options, examples and next steps for common Strategic Giving opportunities are provided below.
Most Common Gifts
Wills and Living Trusts
With as little as one sentence, you can support the Tennessee Aquarium through your will or trust while preserving flexibility as life circumstances change.
Example: Tim and Amy are focused on providing for their children, but they also want their legacy to reflect the causes they care about. By including a gift to the Tennessee Aquarium in their will, they can create future support for the Aquarium without affecting their finances today. And because life changes, they can adjust their plans whenever needed.
- Contact Jason Sanders at (423) 425-9594 or [email protected] to learn more.
- Seek the advice of your personal advisor.
- Use the Tennessee Aquarium’s legal name, address, and federal tax ID number in your plans.
- You may also use FreeWill, a free online estate planning tool that can help include bequest language for the Tennessee Aquarium.
“I give to the Tennessee Aquarium, a nonprofit organization located at One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, Federal Tax ID number 58-1837154, _________ [written amount, percentage of estate, or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.”
“I give to the Tennessee Aquarium, a nonprofit organization located at One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402, Federal Tax ID number 58-1837154, _________ [written amount, percentage of estate, or description of property] to be used for __________ [state purpose]. If the Tennessee Aquarium determines that this purpose cannot be carried out as intended, the Aquarium may use the gift for a purpose that most closely reflects my charitable intent.”
Beneficiary Designations
You can name the Tennessee Aquarium as a beneficiary of retirement plans, life insurance policies, donor advised funds, commercial annuities, or other accounts. This option is simple, flexible, and usually only requires a beneficiary form from your provider.
Example: Gary and Lynn want to protect their daughter, Emily, while also supporting causes that matter to them. They name Emily as the beneficiary of a $50,000 life insurance policy and name the Tennessee Aquarium as the beneficiary of a $50,000 IRA. Because charities generally receive IRA assets tax-free, this approach can help Gary and Lynn provide for their family, create future support for the Aquarium, and maximize the impact of their charitable gift.
- Request a beneficiary form from your plan, policy, or account administrator.
- Decide what percentage you would like the Tennessee Aquarium to receive.
- Return the completed form to your administrator.
- Contact Jason Sanders at (423) 425-9594 or [email protected] to let us know your goals for the gift.
Legal Name: Tennessee Aquarium
Address: One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Federal Tax ID Number: 58-1837154
Giving from Your IRA
If you are age 70½ or older, you may give directly from your IRA to the Tennessee Aquarium through an IRA charitable rollover, also known as a qualified charitable distribution or QCD.
A QCD may count toward all or part of your required minimum distribution, if one is required. Because the transfer is made directly from your IRA to the Tennessee Aquarium, the gift generally does not count as taxable income and does not generate a charitable income tax deduction.
Example: Bret has supported the Tennessee Aquarium with a $1,000 annual gift for the last 20 years. After talking with his professional advisor, he makes this year’s gift directly from his IRA as a QCD. Bret can continue his annual support while the $1,000 gift generally does not count as taxable income
- Consult your professional advisor to determine whether a QCD is right for you.
- Contact your IRA administrator and request a direct transfer to the Tennessee Aquarium.
- Ask your administrator to include your name and mailing address with the gift.
- Contact Jason Sanders at (423) 425-9594 or [email protected] to let us know your goals for the gift.
Legal Name: Tennessee Aquarium
Address: One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Federal Tax ID Number: 58-1837154
Other Ways of Giving
Appreciated Securities
Gifts of appreciated securities or mutual funds can be a meaningful way to support the Tennessee Aquarium while potentially reducing taxes and increasing the impact of your gift.
By donating securities held for more than one year, you may be able to reduce taxes, avoid capital gains on the appreciation, and make a larger impact than if you sold the assets and donated the cash proceeds.
Example: Mary purchased stock several years ago that has grown significantly in value. By transferring the appreciated shares directly to the Tennessee Aquarium instead of selling them first, Mary may avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation, qualify for a charitable income tax deduction, and make a larger impact with her gift.
- Consult your professional advisor to determine whether a gift of appreciated assets is right for you.
- Contact your broker or financial institution to begin the transfer process.
- Contact Jason Sanders at (423) 425-9594 or [email protected] to let us know your goals for the gift.
Legal Name: Tennessee Aquarium
Address: One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Federal Tax ID Number: 58-1837154
Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
A donor advised fund, often called a DAF, works like a charitable giving account. It allows you to recommend grants to the Tennessee Aquarium and other qualified charities on a schedule that works for you. You can recommend a grant today, set up recurring support, or name the Tennessee Aquarium as a beneficiary of all or part of your fund.
Example: Jill uses her donor advised fund to support several nonprofits each year. After visiting the Tennessee Aquarium with her grandchildren, she recommended a $2,500 grant to support the Aquarium today. She also names the Tennessee Aquarium to receive a portion of her fund in the future, helping ensure the place her family enjoys today will inspire future generations.
- Consult your personal advisor to determine whether a DAF strategy is right for you.
- Contact your DAF administrator to recommend a grant to the Tennessee Aquarium.
- Ask your administrator to include your name, mailing address, and gift purpose with the grant.
- Contact Jason Sanders at (423) 425-9594 or [email protected] to let us know your goals for the gift.
Legal Name: Tennessee Aquarium
Address: One Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Federal Tax ID Number: 58-1837154