Established as a distinct entity in 1998, the Endowment for Equal Justice seeks to provide a base of support for legal services in perpetuity to relieve civil legal aid programs from dependence upon unpredictable and inadequate levels of funding.
 
Gifts to the endowment are invested to grow over time. To date, the Endowment exceeds $3 million thanks to leadership gifts from Seattle law firm Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lawrence True and Linda Brown Foundation and the Alice and Russell True Foundation. Once the goal of $10 million is reached, funds will be disbursed to legal aid providers statewide. The long-range, aspirational goal for the endowment is $200 million.
 
Planned Giving

What we choose to support financially reflects our most deeply held values learned over the course of a lifetime. Incorporating your philanthropic interests into your estate plans can be a creative and satisfying way to achieve your and your family’s financial goals while making a legacy contribution to keep justice accessible to all Washingtonians.

The Endowment for Equal Justice (EEJ) Planned Giving Society
Join The EEJ Planned Giving Society, our way of recognizing those who have generously included access to justice in their estate plans.

Bequests
Retain control of your assets for as long as you live and leave a lasting legacy in support of the Endowment for Equal Justice.

Outright Bequests
An outright bequest is the simplest method of making a testamentary gift to the Endowment for Equal Justice. An outright bequest is a gift by will of a specific sum of money or of a specific piece of property (such as securities or real estate). The following language can be used in a will to make an outright bequest:

"I hereby bequeath to the Endowment for Equal Justice, 1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1335, Seattle, WA 98101, the sum of $_____________ (and/or the following described property ______________)."

Residuary Bequests
Some donors would like to make a bequest to the Endowment for Equal Justice but are not sure of the amount that will be available. Others want to make sure that specific bequests or estate expenses are paid first. In these cases, a residuary bequest is the best idea. A residuary bequest provides the Endowment for Equal Justice with a percentage or all of the remainder of a donor's estate after specific bequests, debts, taxes, and estate expenses have been paid. A residuary bequest to the Endowment for Equal Justice is made in a will by incorporating the following language:

"I hereby bequeath all (or _____percent) of my residuary estate to the Endowment for Equal Justice, 1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 1335, Seattle, WA 98101."

Charitable Lead Trusts
Transfer assets to your heirs at a reduced gift and estate tax cost, while you make gifts to The Endowment for Equal Justice.

Retirement Plans
Accomplish more with these assets by designating them to The Endowment for Equal Justice. If left to non-charitable heirs (other than your spouse), retirement plan assets are subject to income and estate taxes, leaving only a small percentage for your heirs.

Life Insurance
Name The Endowment for Equal Justice the owner and beneficiary of an insurance policy and you will ensure a significant gift to the Endowment for Equal Justice at your death and be entitled to a current charitable income tax deduction as well.

Real Estate
Make a gift of real property outright to the Endowment for Equal Justice, fund a life income arrangement with it, or even donate it and retain the right to live in it for your lifetime. Each gift qualifies for an income tax deduction.

The Endowment for Equal Justice is a separate 501(c)(3) organization. The trustees for the Endowment are J. David Andrews, Carolyn Cairns, Scott Holte, Don Horowitz, Mark Hutcheson, John McKay, and Gordon Wilcox.
 
To learn more about the Endowment for Equal Justice, please contact Karen Falkingham, director of LAW Fund, at (206) 623-5261. To make a secure online donation to the Endowment for Equal Justice, click "Donate Now."