Your Legacy in Galapagos
A giant tortoise can live 150 years. The science protecting it must last even longer.
Leave a Legacy
WHY LEAVE A LEGACY
By including the Charles Darwin Foundation in your will or estate plan, you join a story that began with Darwin himself and ensure it continues for generations you will never meet, in a place that will never stop needing protection.
For more than 65 years, the Charles Darwin Research Station has stood on the shores of Puerto Ayora, through El Niño years and invasive species outbreaks, through the near-loss and slow recovery of species found nowhere else on Earth. That continuity is not an accident. It is the result of people who decided that Galapagos mattered beyond their own lifetime.
A legacy gift costs you nothing today. It doesn't reduce what you can give to your loved ones now. But it may be the most consequential gift you ever make: fifty years from now, a scientist not yet born may track a finch population, restore a forest, develop new ways to protect sharks, or guide a giant tortoise back to an island where it once disappeared—all because of a decision you made this year.
HOW TO LEAVE YOUR LEGACY
Three simple ways to include Galapagos in your plans
Rashid Cruz-CDF
A gift in your will or trust
Leave a specific amount, a particular asset, a percentage of your estate, or the residue after your loved ones are provided for. You can include CDF when writing a new will, or add us to an existing one with a simple amendment (a codicil). We've prepared sample bequest language to share with your advisor.
Juan Manuel García-CDF
A beneficiary designation
Name the Charles Darwin Foundation as a full or partial beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or investment account. This usually takes minutes, requires no lawyer, and can be changed at any time.
Juan Manuel Garcia-CDF
A gift that pays you back
Charitable remainder trusts and charitable lead trusts can provide income to you or your family during your lifetime, with the remainder supporting conservation in Galapagos. Your financial advisor can help you decide whether this fits your situation.
You remain in full control. A legacy gift can be changed at any time, requires no minimum amount, and you never need to tell us the value. Every gift — of every size — makes you part of this story.
FOR DONORS IN THE UNITED STATES
If you live in the United States, you can direct your planned gift to the Friends of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (FCDF - Tax ID: 86-2660112), a U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization established to support CDF's work. Gifts to FCDF are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by US law.
You can name FCDF as:
- A beneficiary in your will or living trust;
- A primary or contingent beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan;
- A beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust.
CDF Archive
Notify us about your planned gift – join the Pristine Galapagos Society
A community of people who chose forever
When you tell us you've included CDF in your plans (no documentation or amount required) you become a member of the Pristine Galapagos Society, joining supporters around the world who have made the same commitment to the future of these islands.
As a member, you will receive:
- Pristine Galapagos News, our exclusive biannual newsletter;
- An annual invitation to an exclusive event;
- A VIP visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station whenever you travel to Galapagos, including a guided tour of our Natural History Collections, home to more than a century of specimens.
Questions People Ask Us
Do I need to be wealthy to leave a legacy gift?
No. Most legacy gifts come from people of ordinary means who simply care deeply. A gift of 1% of your estate, with 99% to your loved ones, still does extraordinary work in Galapagos.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes, at any time. A bequest or beneficiary designation is fully revocable during your lifetime. Nothing is binding until your estate is settled.
Do I have to tell you about my gift?
No, but we hope you will. Telling us allows us to thank you, welcome you into the Pristine Galapagos Society, and plan responsibly for the future. Your information always remains confidential, and you never need to disclose an amount.
Can I direct my gift to a specific program?
Yes. You can support a particular program, like giant tortoise conservation, landbird conservation, marine research etc., or leave your gift unrestricted, which lets us direct it where the need is greatest when the time comes. We are happy to discuss the right wording with you and your advisor.
What if I don't live in the US?
Wherever you live, we can work with you and your advisor to find a route for your gift. Contact us and we'll help.
What should I bring to my advisor?
Our sample bequest language includes CDF's and FCDF's full legal name, registered address, and registry number – everything your lawyer or notary needs.
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR LEGACY
Jim Boyle, Chief Development Officer at the Charles Darwin Foundation: "Every legacy conversation is different, and there's never any pressure. Whether you have a quick question or want to think it through together, I'd love to hear from you."
