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August is National Make-A-Will Month

Leave a Legacy for the Oceans

Write your legal will for free in as little as 20 minutes, and make protecting marine life part of your life story.

The Bob Barker Legacy

Bob Barker's legacy still powers Sea Shepherd's fight for the oceans. His 2009 gift launched the original Bob Barker, a vessel that spent 14 years on the front lines against illegal fishing. In 2024, a second ship bearing his name carried the mission forward.

A gift in your will works the same way: it keeps defending marine wildlife long after it is made.

The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker at sea

Including Sea Shepherd in your estate plans ensures your commitment to ocean conservation continues for generations, through campaigns that defend the oceans from illegal fishing, habitat destruction, and the exploitation of marine life.

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How to Include Sea Shepherd in Your Will

We have partnered with FreeWill, a secure online tool that lets you write or update your legal will for free in as little as 20 minutes. No attorney is required for most simple estates.

1 Answer a few guided questions

About yourself and your wishes.

2 Choose your gift to Sea Shepherd

A specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or other assets.

3 Sign your legal documents

And let us know, so we can thank you and honor your legacy.

Start Your Free Will Here

Long-finned pilot whale in the Faroe Islands

Why Planned Giving Matters

Planned giving ensures that your values and your passion for protecting the oceans continue long into the future. A legacy gift directly supports Sea Shepherd's direct action to combat illegal fishing, end habitat destruction, and protect endangered species like the vaquita porpoise.

More Ways to Leave a Legacy

Gifts from your IRA

If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can give directly from your IRA. Qualified charitable distributions count toward your required minimum distribution and may reduce your taxable income.

Donor-advised funds

Recommend a grant from your DAF or name Sea Shepherd as a successor beneficiary.

Beneficiary designations

Name Sea Shepherd as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or bank account.

Appreciated assets

Sea Shepherd accepts gifts of stocks, securities, real estate, and other property.

Already have a will? You can add Sea Shepherd through a simple update, and FreeWill can help with that too.

Sample Bequest Language

"I give to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Oregon, EIN 93-0792021, the sum of $________ or ________% of the residue of my estate to be used for its general charitable purposes."

Please share this language with your attorney or estate planner when creating or updating your will.

Make Waves for Generations to Come

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Sea Shepherd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the USA (Tax ID 93-0792021), and donations are fully tax-deductible. For more information on legacy giving, please e-mail donations@seashepherd.org.