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Make us a beneficiary of your IRA or other “non-probate” assets

Plan your beneficiaries

Why beneficiary designations are so powerful

Assets not included in your will are called non-probate assets. Examples are 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies, and other accounts. Designating the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.

Charitable benefits

Leave a lasting legacy to Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and future explorers and creators!
Receive an estate tax charitable deduction
Reduce the burden of taxes on your family
Continue to use assets or property during your lifetime

Common gifted assets for beneficiaries

  • IRA
  • 401(k)
  • Life insurance
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Joint real estate
  • Joint bank accounts
  • Joint property ownership

Designate Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh as a beneficiary to one or more of your accounts.

We have partnered with FreeWill to offer this free online platform that will walk you through the process of setting up your beneficiaries. These gifts have a big impact and can often prevent unwanted taxation.


Give to the Future

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh preserves and shares the stories of our past and present so our community can build a bold future. A gift to the Museums through your estate is an easy way to ensure future generations can enjoy the art, technology, and natural world that inspired you. Together we can engage the next generation of creators, explorers, and leaders!

Frequently Asked Questions

A non-probate asset is an account or other asset that won’t be governed by the decisions you make in a will. Instead, these accounts commonly have an assigned beneficiary that you choose. Types of non-probate assets include many retirement accounts, life insurance, some bank accounts and some assets (like a house or vehicle) that you jointly own with another person.

Yes! Gifts of any size are deeply appreciated. Many people choose to leave a percentage of their estate, which scales up or down with your estate size.

The most commonly gifted non-probate asset is an IRA or 401(k). This is because these accounts are always taxed (even for people below the estate tax threshold). Giving these accounts to charity keeps your heirs from having to pay unexpected taxes.

Yes! Even if you have a will in place you still need to designate beneficiaries for your non-probate assets.

No. You can usually make these easily and at no cost to you. 

Yes. You are always free to revise or update your estate plans.

We’re here to help you meet your goals!

Our team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.

Name: Anne Lee

Title :Director of Planned Giving

Phone: 412-353-4853

Email: leea@carnegiemuseums.org

Already included us in your estate plan? Let us know

Legal Name: Carnegie Institute d/b/a Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Legal Address: 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Federal Tax/ EIN #: 25-0965280

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More ways to make an impact

Gifts in a will or trust

Donations in your will or trust are (by far) the most popular type of planned gift. Learn more, or get help starting your will (for free!).

Learn more

Popular tax-smart gifts

Many people are increasingly choosing to give non-cash assets, so they can have a bigger impact at less cost to them.

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Gifts that pay you back

Give assets while providing yourself or others with income for a period of time or distributions at a later date.

Learn more