Planned Giving

A Gift in Your Will: Getting Started

We hope you'll consider including a gift to Mote Marine Laboratory in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

Simplicity. Just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. The official bequest language for Mote Marine Laboratory is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Mote Marine Laboratory [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."
Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.
Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to us.
Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift is entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift's full value.

We understand.
Your circumstances may change and you can change your gift at any time.

How It Works
To make a charitable bequest, you need a current will or revocable living trust.

Your gift can be made as a percentage of your estate. Or you can make a specific bequest by giving a certain amount of cash, securities or property. After your lifetime, Mote Marine Laboratory receives your gift.

Charitable Bequest

Create a will or trust leaving part of your estate to family and part to Mote Marine Laboratory.

Your Will or Trust

Your Family

Your death

Mote Marine Laboratory

Putting Your Family First
When planning a future gift, it's sometimes difficult to determine what size donation will make sense. Emergencies happen, and you need to make sure your family is financially taken care of first. Including a bequest of a percentage of your estate ensures that your gift will remain proportionate no matter how your estate's value fluctuates over the years.


	Download a free guide about making your first will.

We Can Help
Contact Anna Hayes at 941-388-4441, Ext. 261 or plannedgiving@mote.org with any questions about naming Mote Marine Laboratory in your will or living trust. We're happy to help, without obligation.

Your Next Steps
Getting Started | Is This Gift Right for You? | Case Study | How to Complete Your Gift | Action Items

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.

About Us

Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.

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Gifts in Action

Don Marshall (left) and Anna Hayes (right)

Don and his wife, Roma, were dedicated Mote volunteers, and when Roma died in '04, Don threw himself even more into his Mote volunteering. He is more convinced than ever that educating the public about marine life is the best way to safeguard it. That was the motive for his gift in his will to Mote Education Division. Read More