Donate
The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society offers Supporting Memberships as well as Corporate Sponsorships. You are also most welcome to support the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuges and our education, interpretation, and research activities via a donation. Any amount you’re willing to donate will be greatly appreciated! Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law since San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Take a visual tour of our achievements over the years and help us with our mission by donating today!
You can learn more about us at these reputable charity rating organizations where we are rated as:
Donate with PayPal
If you would like to make a general donation, either one-time or on a monthly or annual basis, you can do so via PayPal. You can choose to donate either to our general fund or to one of our programs by clicking the button below.
Donate with MightyCause
If you prefer not to use PayPal and are looking to donate to a specific program, we are currently fundraising for:
- Field Trip Bus Funds
- Environmental Education Programs
- Habitat Restoration & Research
- Annual Marsh-In Summer Camp
See our MightyCause page to learn more about these campaigns and ways that you can get involved in making a local impact.
Donate by check
Mail a check made out to “San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society” to PO Box 234, Newark, CA 94560.
Donate Through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. Donating long-term appreciated securities directly to charity — instead of liquidating the asset and donating the proceeds — can help maximize both your tax benefit and the overall amount you have to grant to charity. These donations provide two tax benefits:
- Become eligible for an income tax deduction of the full fair-market value of the asset, up to 30% of your adjusted gross income
- Potentially eliminate and maximize capital gains tax on long-term appreciated assets, as long as they’ve been held for more than a year
San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society can directly receive DAF donations from brokers such as Fidelity Charitable.
If you have a different DAF program provider that you would like us to support, please get in touch and let us know at [email protected].
Donate through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is one of the most tax-efficient ways for eligible retirees to support our Refuges!
Benefits:
- Individuals age 70½ or older may make a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.
- For 2026, an individual may contribute up to $111,000 using a QCD.
- A properly completed QCD may count toward annual Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) without being included in taxable income.
- QCDs can be especially beneficial for retirees who do not need all of their RMD for living expenses and wish to support the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex in a tax-efficient manner.
- The transfer must be made directly from your IRA custodian to the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society in order to qualify.
How to Make a QCD:
- Contact your IRA custodian and request a Qualified Charitable Distribution to San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society.
- Because eligibility, timing, and reporting requirements are important, be sure the transfer is completed correctly to preserve the tax advantages.
- Direct your IRA custodian to send your contribution to:
San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society
PO Box 234, Newark, CA 94560
Your Qualified Charitable Distribution helps us continue supporting conservation, education, and stewardship programs while providing you with a tax-efficient way to give.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication. It should not be considered tax, legal, or financial advice. Because individual circumstances vary, consult your tax advisor, financial advisor, or attorney before making a Qualified Charitable Distribution
Thank you
The San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society works to fund educational events, research, and exhibits in cooperation with local, regional and state agencies. With federal cutbacks to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service budget, your funding of our environmental programs is very welcome.
In the last 30+ years, the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society has:
- Introduced the Refuge to tens of thousands of students of all ages.
- Helped fund the Bair Island restoration and Management Plan, restoration work at Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, and uplands restoration at the Environmental Education Center.
- Provided weekend staff in Alviso through long-term partnerships with the City of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program.
- Provided funding for the boardwalk at the New Chicago Marsh Trail at the Environmental Education Center.
- Funded a greenhouse for a native plant nursery at the Don Edwards San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont.
And much more! Help us with our mission by donating today!
Become a Supporter of the San Francisco Bay Wildlife Society. Your membership will include a subscription to the Tide Rising newsletter and a 15% discount at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Nature Stores at the Visitor Center in Fremont, and the Environmental Education Center in Alviso.
Volunteering at the Refuge is a rewarding and valuable experience. Through a variety of public programs, visitors understand and appreciate the natural and cultural history of the Refuge.
Your support of our education, interpretation, and research activities is more important than ever. Any amount you’re willing to donate will be greatly appreciated! Donations may be fully tax-deductible.
