Endowment

To prevent the loss of heirloom garden varieties, an endowment gift to Seed Savers Exchange is an investment in the future of our food system. The Seed Savers Exchange Endowment Fund provides protection for our culturally significant genebank, expands seed-saving knowledge, and builds equity in access to adaptable, open-pollinated seed.

Why an Endowment is Essential

Time is not on our side. Each growing season, rare varieties are lost that could hold the key to climate adaptation, disease resistance, or simply the memories and tastes of food shared with family. The work of genetic preservation takes consistent care.  Your endowment gift will provide support for:

• Identifying, classifying, and cataloging our seed bank

• Creating learning opportunities for future seed savers

• Expanding seed and plant regeneration capacity

• Connecting people with seed

How Does an Endowment Work?

An endowment is a permanent fund designed to provide ongoing support for preserving and sharing heirloom varieties, year after year. When your endowment gift is invested, a portion of the annual investment return is paid out to support the work of Seed Savers Exchange. The original gift amount—called the principal—remains intact and continues to grow over time into perpetuity.

Information to Share with Your Financial Advisor or Estate Planner

Are you considering a gift to the Seed Savers Exchange Endowment and wondering how to involve your financial or legal advisors? The information below can help guide that conversation.

• Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD): If you’re age 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free gift directly from your IRA to Seed Savers Exchange. This gift can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and may lower your taxable income.

• Bequest: A gift in your will or trust

• Beneficiary Designation: Name Seed Savers Exchange as a beneficiary of your IRA, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund

• Gifts of Non-Cash Assets: Including appreciated stock, farmland, or real estate

• Charitable Trusts: Charitable remainder or lead trusts that benefit you and Seed Savers Exchange

• Endow Iowa Tax Credit: A 25% Iowa state tax credit available to qualifying donors who give to our endowed fund through a participating community foundation

Legal Name: Seed Savers Exchange, Inc.
Tax ID Number: 43-1214133
Mailing Address: 3094 North Winn Road, Decorah, IA 52101
Designate Gift For: Seed Savers Exchange Endowment

We welcome your call or email to discuss ways to make a gift to Seed Savers Exchange.

Contact us to discuss your gift

Cindy Goodner 
Director of Development
📧 cgoodner@seedsavers.org
📞 (563) 387-5670

Brittnee Henry
Donor Relations Officer
📧 bhenry@seedsavers.org
📞 (563) 387-5695