Qualified Charitable Distributions

Give from Your IRA — Make a Tax-Free Impact

If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free donation directly from your IRA to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. This is known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) — and it’s one of the most powerful ways to support the causes you care about.

What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your Traditional IRA to a qualified nonprofit organization like the Captain Paul Watson Foundation. QCDs can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and are not included in your taxable income — a win-win for you and the cause.

Key Benefits:

Avoid paying income taxes on your RMD
Lower your taxable income — whether you itemize or not
Make a meaningful impact at no additional cost to you

How to Make a QCD:

Contact your IRA administrator and request a direct transfer to:

Charity Name: Captain Paul Watson Foundation
EIN: 88-3361218
Mailing Address: 201 Varick St Frnt 1 PO Box 80 NY, NY 10014
Attention: Clementine Pallanca, Executive Director
Have your IRA provider send the check directly to us. If the check is made out to you, it won’t qualify as a QCD.
Let us know about your gift so we can thank you properly and ensure it’s processed correctly.

Important: You must be at least 70½ years old at the time of the gift, and the distribution must come directly from your IRA to the Captain Paul Watson Foundation to qualify as a QCD.

You can also send this template below to your IRA provider (like Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab, etc.) to request a Qualified Charitable Distribution.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Date]

To:[IRA Custodian Name]
[Custodian Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]

Re: Qualified Charitable Distribution Request from IRA Account #[Your Account Number]

Dear [Custodian Name],

Please accept this letter as my request to initiate a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from my Individual Retirement Account in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 408(d)(8).

I am over age 70½ and eligible to make this charitable distribution. Please issue a check in the amount of$[Amount]payable to the following qualified charitable organization:

Charity Name:Captain Paul Watson Foundation
EIN:88-3361218
Mailing Address:201 Varick St Frnt 1 PO Box 80 NY, NY 10014
Attention:Clementine Pallanca, Executive Director

Please mail the check directly to the charity at the above address. Also, please include my name and address as the donor for proper acknowledgment.

If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email].

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
(Signature if submitting a hard copy)