Other Ways to Contribute

Legacy Gifts Without Upfront Cost

Statement

Please let us know if you’ve included a gift for the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library™ (ISAA Library™) in your will or trust or by beneficiary designation. Providing us with documentation is the best way to ensure that your gift is used in the way you intend.

Gifts in a will

A gift in your will is one of the easiest ways to create your legacy of teaching about the long history and engineering of armaments and armor.

​

 

• No Cost - Costs you nothing now to give in this way

• Flexible - You can alter your gift or change your mind at any time and for any reason

• Lasting impact - Your gift will help build a lasting legacy of education on the history and engineering of arms and armor—for this generation and the next

 

4 simple, “cost-free today” ways to give in your will:

General gift in your will

Leaves a gift of a stated sum of money in your will or living trust. For example, you might decide to leave each of your children $25,000. It’s considered to be ‘general’ because it doesn’t specify from where the money comes.

Residual gift in your will

Leaves what is left over after all other debts, taxes, and other expenses have been paid.

Specific gift in your will

Leaves a specific dollar amount, percentage, fraction, or specific items (collections, firearms, armor, books, etc.).

Contingent gift in your will

Leaves a stated amount or share only if a spouse, family member or other heir/beneficiary does not live longer than you. In other words, your gift is contingent upon whether or not they survive after you.

​

​

Legacy Gifts by Beneficiary Designation

​

Statement

Please let us know if you’ve included a gift for the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library) in your will or trust or by beneficiary designation. Providing us with documentation is the best way to ensure that your gift is used in the way you intend.​

​

You can easily put your bank accounts, retirement assets, savings bonds, and more to work in building a world inspired and informed by the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library) — all without costing you anything today.

​

By naming the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library) as a beneficiary of these assets, you strengthen our mission to educate others about the long history and engineering of armaments and armor—leaving a lasting impact. Your gift benefits both young and old through the ISAA Library and becomes a legacy uniquely your own.

​

• Reduce or eliminate taxes on retirement assets

• Reduce or avoid probate fees

• No cost to you now to give

• Create your legacy with the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library)​

 

To name the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library) as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, contact your bank or insurance company to see whether a change of beneficiary form must be completed.

​

How to Change a Beneficiary Designation:

​

• Login to your account or request a Change of Beneficiary Form from your custodian (the business holding your money or assets).

• Follow the links to change your beneficiary or fill out the form.

• Be sure to spell the name of our organization properly:

Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library

• Include our tax identification number: 39-2173240

• Save or submit your information online or return your Change of Beneficiary Form.

 

A Gift of Retirement Funds (beneficiary of your retirement plan):

​

You can simply name the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (ISAA Library) as a beneficiary of your retirement plan to help preserve and share the global history of arms and armor—how they were made, why they were used, and what they reveal about the societies that built them—so that all generations can better understand our collective past and be inspired by the legacy of human ingenuity and conflict.

​

A gift of remaining funds in your bank accounts, brokerage accounts or certificate of deposit (CD):

​

This is one of the easiest gifts to give and among the most meaningful in achieving your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (Tax ID: 39-2173240) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings account, certificate of deposit (CD), or brokerage account. In doing so, you take a powerful step toward preserving the global history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of arms and armor for generations to come.

 

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) residuals:

​

What remains in a donor-advised fund is governed by the agreement you established when creating your fund. When you name the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library as a 'successor' to your account or a portion of its value, you help ensure that future generations learn from the global history of arms and armor—their innovation, influence on societies, and enduring role in shaping the human experience.

​

​

Legacy Gifts Which Reduce Your Taxes

Statement

​

You can support the education of current and future generations about the global history of arms and armor—while also enjoying valuable tax benefits.

 

Significant tax benefits exist for those who give in the following ways:

Cash Gift:

One of the most common ways to support the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library is by writing a check, making a gift with a credit card, or donating online.

Stocks & Bonds:

This is one of the easiest gifts to give and one of the most meaningful in achieving your philanthropic goals. The next time you visit your bank, you can name the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library (Tax ID: 39-2173240) as the beneficiary of a checking or savings account, certificate of deposit (CD), or brokerage account. In doing so, you take a powerful step toward preserving the history, technology, and cultural impact of arms and armor for the education of future generations.

Retirement Assets:

A gift of your retirement assets—such as an employee retirement plan, IRA, or tax-sheltered annuity—is a powerful way to support our work. Such a gift can reduce the tax burden on you or your heirs while helping to secure the future of the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library and its mission to preserve and share the legacy of arms and armor.

Life Insurance:

Life insurance is a valuable asset for making a charitable gift. You can make a gift of a life insurance policy without diminishing other investments or assets earmarked for family members.

Real Estate:

A gift of real estate allows you to preserve your cash assets, enjoy potential tax and income benefits, and make a lasting contribution to the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library’s mission of historical preservation and education.

Personal Property:

​

A gift of artwork, arms, armor, militaria, or other historical items can be a meaningful way to support the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library.

To learn more about the types of property and artifacts we are currently accepting, please contact us at isaainstitute@gmail.com

​

​

Legacy Gifts Which Make an Impact Now

​

IRA Charitable Rollover:

​

You can transfer funds directly from your IRA to the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library. This is a powerful way to make an immediate impact and help ensure our mission of preserving and teaching the history of arms and armor continues for generations to come. Here’s how it works:

​

• You must be 70 ½ or older.

• An individual may transfer up to a total of $108,000 per year and a married couple may give up to $216,000.

• Your gift must be transferred directly from your IRA account to the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library.

• Because this is a direct transfer of funds, it does not generate taxable income for you and is not treated as a charitable tax deduction.

• If you are 73 and older, the transfer of funds counts towards your annual Required Minimum Distribution* from your IRA.

• A couple with a joint IRA may take a one-time QCD up to $108,000 to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT).

 

If you're interested in this popular way to support the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library, you can download a sample letter for your IRA administrator here.

​

Gifts of Securities:

​

You can use stocks, bonds, and mutual funds that have appreciated in value to support our shared vision. You may receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock (up to a maximum of 30% of your adjusted gross income) and avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the value of the stock.

​

Gifts of Property:

​

The Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library will consider gifts of tangible personal property, including historical artifacts, artwork, or other valuable items. These gifts are generally tax deductible, similar to cash donations. You may also attach conditions to the gift—such as retaining lifetime use of the property.

​

Memorial or Homage Gift:

​

When you make a memorial or homage gift to the Institute for the Study of Arms & Armor Library in honor of someone special, you express your admiration, gratitude, and respect in a deeply meaningful way. Your gift will honor their legacy, create a lasting tribute, and help preserve and teach the history of arms and armor for generations to come.

​

You may choose to honor them through a planned gift from your estate. If you wish to make an immediate gift, please use our Homage Gift Form to share your intentions.

​