Gifts Through a Will

A bequest is one of the simplest ways to support the AAS and astronomy's future. Assets remain in your control during your lifetime and you can modify your bequest during your life should your circumstances change. When written into your will, your gift is not subject to federal estate taxes and therefore reduces the tax burden of an estate.

How to Make Your Gift

If you wish to include the AAS in your will. please contact AAS Executive Officer Kevin Marvel. Your accountant or financial planner can advise you on estate tax benefits; your attorney can help draw up your will. Sample bequest language follows below.

Unrestricted Bequest:
I give [specific dollar amount; specified asset, or percentage of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate] to the American Astronomical Society, Washington, DC.

Bequest with General Purpose:
I give [specific dollar amount; specified asset; or percentage of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate] to the American Astronomical Society, Washington, DC, and ask that the AAS Board of Trustees, as the governing board for the the Society, consider designating that the funds be used for [NAME GENERAL PURPOSE].

I do understand that the Society will undertake best efforts to fulfill by desire based on programs or projects available at the time, but may allocate the funds to another similar or different purpose. I also understand that the desired use stated above does not obligate the Society to expend the funds on any specific activity, nor to maintain the balance of the donated funds in perpetuity and that the AAS Board of Trustees may designate the use of the funds at the time they are received.