Official Bequest Language

Legal Name and Address:
The Humane Society of the United States
1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20037

Federal Tax ID: 53-0225390
Telephone Number: 1-800-808-7858

Estate planning can be complex and may have certain legal requirements and tax consequences depending on where you live, or own property. It is important that your attorney and professional financial and tax advisors structure your estate plan and write your will or other estate planning documents to best fulfill your wishes and goals.

We recommend donors use our correct legal name, and include our current address and tax identification number when leaving a gift to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). We further encourage your attorney to designate HSUS's “potential successors in interest” to ensure your gift will always be used to promote animal welfare and to end animal cruelty.

The following sample language illustrates how you might leave a portion of your estate to the HSUS:

Bequest of Specific Dollar Amount

“I give to The Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit corporation, tax ID# 53-0225390, currently located at 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, or its successors in interest thereto, [written dollar amount] for its general charitable purposes.”

Bequest of Residue

“I give to The Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit corporation, tax ID# 53-0225390, currently located at 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, or its successors in interest thereto, the remainder of my estate for its general charitable purposes.”

Bequest of Percentage of Estate

“I give to The Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit corporation, tax ID# 53-0225390, currently located at 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, or its successors in interest thereto, [percentage amount] of the remainder of my estate for its general charitable purposes.”

Gift of Real Estate

“I give toThe Humane Society of the United States, a nonprofit corporation, tax ID# 53-0225390, currently located at 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037, or its successors in interest thereto, all of my interests in the real property located at [address] for its general charitable purposes.”*

Gift of Life Insurance, pension plan, IRA account and other beneficiary designations

You can also name the HSUS as a beneficiary of any life insurance policies you hold, or any retirement accounts or bank accounts in your name. You should speak to your attorney and financial/tax advisors to discuss any financial and tax consequences.

You can name the HSUS on a beneficiary designation form available from the institution where you have your account. When completing the beneficiary designation form you can include the following information:

The Humane Society of the United States
1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037
Tax ID# 53-0225390

Year of incorporation: November 22, 1954

The sample language provided herein is provided to illustrate the various ways you might remember the HSUS in your estate planning documents. You are strongly encouraged to consult your own attorney and advisors to determine how best to incorporate the HSUS into your personal estate planning documents, as each person's situation is unique.

Nothing contained herein should be construed as either legal or financial advice.

*Gifts of real estate and tangible personal property are subject to the HSUS's gift acceptance policy. Please contact us if you are considering a gift of real estate or personal property.

For further information, please contact the Office of Planned Giving at 1-800-808-7858 or humanelegacy@humanesociety.org.

Download our bequest language as a PDF.