Giving Programs

Giving Levels

Friends of Seaplanes

One-time donations of any amount help the Seaplane Foundation conduct its advocacy initiatives. A popular option is to become a monthly sustainer. A recurring monthly gift is a relatively painless way to support the Seaplane Foundation. Giving monthly can be done at your comfort level–$20, $50, $100, $250, $500 or more. Recurring billing will be set up and your donation will be on autopilot, making it as efficient as possible for you while creating a steady flow of donation dollars the Seaplane Foundation needs to achieve its advocacy goals.

**Captain’s Society

The Captain’s Society provides an opportunity for individuals and companies to make an annual contribution commitment of $1,000. Our most popular giving level, Captain’s Society donors significantly impact the welfare of the seaplane community with their generous donations.

President’s Council

Patrons who join the President’s Council are unique individuals who give at the $25,000 or greater level. The impact that a President’s Council donor has on the Seaplane Foundation cannot be understated. These are the heavy lifters who support national-level programs ranging from the construction of the Seaplane Technology Center and funding of educational programs such as safety program video production, to research on ways the seaplane community can be a partner in preventing the spread of invasive species.

Retirement Plans

Retirement plans, such as IRAs or 401(k)s, are often one of the largest assets people own.  They are also one of the most heavily taxed assets when passed on to heirs, other than the spouse of the owner. The retirement plan assets are included in one’s gross estate and heirs (including spouses) must pay income tax on any money withdrawn.
Charities like the Seaplane Foundation, however, pay no tax when they receive a gift of retirement assets and those assets are also removed from the donor’s gross estate. 

Naming the Seaplane Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan ensures that your desire to support general aviation is met and may leave available other assets, with more favorable tax-treatment, that can pass to heirs. 

Making a gift through your retirement plan is straightforward. Often, it involves nothing more than downloading a change of beneficiary form from the retirement plan administrator’s website, filling it out, and returning it to the IRA manager to make the change.

Life Insurance

Life Insurance policies provide the peace of mind that your loved ones will have the resources they need after your passing.  But what do you do with a policy that you no longer need?

Much like a retirement account, changing or adding a beneficiary to a life insurance policy usually only requires completing a form from the life insurance company.  You can choose to contribute all, or just a portion, of the proceeds to charity.  This is a straightforward way to make a significant contribution to the Seaplane Foundation.

You can also donate a fully-paid life insurance policy to the Seaplane Foundation, which may result in a significant charitable tax deduction during your lifetime.

Because every situation is different, we recommend contacting your attorney or tax advisor to see if this type of gift is right for you.
If you would like more information on making the Seaplane Foundation a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy, please complete and submit the form on this page, or contact us at (863) 701-7979 or csr@seaplanes.org

 

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A charitable remainder trust allows you to provide an income for yourself or someone else, while also supporting the work of the Seaplane Foundation.  The assets (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc) that you contribute to the trust are held and invested and the beneficiaries receive income from the trust during its term.

The trust provides you with an immediate income tax deduction and you avoid capital gains taxes if appreciated assets are used to fund the trust.  When the trust ends, the remaining funds go to support the charity(ies) you have designated.

Trusts are flexible and can offer many benefits to you and your family.
Because every situation is different, we recommend contacting your attorney or tax advisor to see if this type of gift is right for you.
If you would like more information on including a gift to the Seaplane Foundation in a charitable remainder trust, please complete and submit the form on this page, or contact us at (863) 701-7979 or csr@seaplanes.org.

Monthly Sustainers

Donating on a recurring monthly basis delivers funding strengthening our advocacy for the seaplane community through convenient monthly contributions.

Seaplane Foundation Seaplane Legacy Society

Members of the Seaplane Foundation Seaplane Legacy Society are focused on strengthening the seaplane community for future generations by including a future gift to the Seaplane Foundation in their long-range plans. This is a powerful way to make a truly significant impact on the long term future of water flying.

SPA relies on philanthropic contributions to fund our flagship programs that focus on seaplane safety, invasive species issues, educational programs and scholarships. Through these programs, your gifts are ensuring that we have more pilots and safer pilots, both of which are needed to carry on our freedom to fly seaplanes.

We will recognize members of our Seaplane Legacy Society in our new headquarters which will be built in Winter Haven, Florida. If you have included a legacy gift to the Seaplane Foundation in your plans, please let us know by clicking here and completing the form.

other ways to give

A gift to the Seaplane Foundation is a unique way to honor a pilot, seaplane enthusiast, or loved one. Each gift makes a lasting impact on the future of the water flying community.
Creating an endowment to provide an ongoing source of funding for the Seaplane Foundation’s work is an exceptional way to honor a loved one, demonstrate your passion for seaplanes & water flying, and ensure that efforts to improve seaplane safety, protect access to waterways and grow the seaplane pilot population continue long into the future.

The Seaplane Foundation is able to accept wired gifts including gifts of stock. Donating appreciated stock may help you avoid capital gains tax. Please see your tax advisor for more details.

By donating your aircraft to the Seaplane Foundation, we will help you find a new home for it and your contribution will have a lasting impact on the future of the water flying community.

If you are 70 ½ or older, you can use your qualified Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to donate up to $100,000 each year directly to a charity such as the Seaplane Foundation. The amount transferred is not taxed as income and may satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution.

Honorary/Memorial Donation

A gift to the Seaplane Foundation is a unique way to honor a pilot, seaplane enthusiast, or loved one. Each gift makes a lasting impact on the future of the water flying community.

Endowments

Creating an endowment to provide an ongoing source of funding for the Seaplane Foundation’s work is an exceptional way to honor a loved one, demonstrate your passion for seaplanes & water flying, and ensure that efforts to improve seaplane safety, protect access to waterways and grow the seaplane pilot population continue long into the future.

Wire and Stock Gifts

The Seaplane Foundation is able to accept wired gifts including gifts of stock. Donating appreciated stock may help you avoid capital gains tax. Please see your tax advisor for more details.

Aircraft Donation

By donating your aircraft to the Seaplane Foundation, we will help you find a new home for it and your contribution will have a lasting impact on the future of the water flying community.

IRA Rollover Gifts

If you are 70 ½ or older, you can use your qualified Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to donate up to $100,000 each year directly to a charity such as the AOPA Foundation. The amount transferred is not taxed as income and may satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution.

To send a gift by mail or speak with us by phone, please contact us:

The Seaplane Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible.