Leave a Legacy of Learning
When you include RAFT in your will, trust, or estate plans, you create a lasting legacy that empowers educators and inspires generations of learners. Your planned gift ensures that creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning continue to thrive well into the future.
Whether you choose to make a bequest, name RAFT as a beneficiary, or explore other planned giving options, your gift will have a lasting impact on children, teachers, and our community.
If you are considering a legacy gift, we would be delighted to confidentially discuss your questions. If you have already included RAFT in your plan, please let us know so that we can thank you and invite you to join our Legacy Society. Please contact Kate Ball at kball@raft.net or (408) 451-1420. Of course, we always recommend you work with your advisors to determine which gift(s) is most appropriate for you.
RAFT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our taxpayer identification number is 77-0365627.
Easy Ways to Give
Through a Will or Trust
This is one of the most common types of legacy gifts. You can arrange to leave a specific dollar amount or asset, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after specific gifts to loved ones have been made. This type of planned gift allows you to support the future of learning while ensuring your loved ones are cared for first.
Retirement Plan or Life Insurance
You can name RAFT as the beneficiary of your individual retirement account (IRA), 401(k), 403(b), donor-advised fund (DAF), life insurance policy, or other account. These gifts are easy to arrange or modify. Simply complete a beneficiary designation form from your plan administrator to name RAFT as a beneficiary of all or part of your account. If the retirement assets are tax-deferred, the portion left to RAFT will not be subject to tax. If you are over 70.5 years or older you can reduce your taxable income by making a gift to RAFT directly from your IRA.
If you arrange this kind of gift, thank you! In order to facilitate receiving your meaningful gift in the future, please email kball@raft.net or call (408) 451-1420 (or ensure your executor will do so) with your name, account custodian, and contact information for your executor. IRA and other account administrators do not always notify the beneficiaries, and we want to make sure your gift for RAFT is received as you intended and in a timely manner.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
If you are 70.5 or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 annually directly from your IRA to RAFT as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). These gifts count towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) without increasing your taxable income, making them a smart and impactful way to give.
Non-probate Assets
Certain assets—such as IRAs, 401(k)s, life insurance policies—are considered non-probate assets, meaning they are not covered by your will.
Be sure to designate beneficiaries for these accounts separately to ensure your charitable wishes are fulfilled.
We Want to Thank You
If you have already included RAFT in your will, trust, or estate plans—thank you! Please use this form to let us know about your intended gift. The information you share is nonbinding and will only be used to welcome you to our Legacy Society. You may change your plans at any time, and you can choose to be recognized publicly or remain anonymous.
We will be honored to include you as a member of our Legacy Society! Your foresight and generosity help ensure that every child has the opportunity to explore, create, and discover through hands-on learning.
Important Note
This information is provided for general guidance and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Please consult your financial or legal advisor to determine the best giving option for your situation.
Useful Information for Advisors
Our official name is: Resource Area For Teaching
Address: 1355 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95131
Phone: (408) 451-1420
Taxpayer identification number: 77-0365627
Your Support Helps Educators
We provide recycled and low-cost STEAM learning materials, makerspace support, and professional development workshops for over 8,000 educators and their 150,000 students in the Bay Area and nationwide.