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Rich and Judi Benimeli Donate to Mote First, Then Volunteer

Stingrays in the Aquarium

Stingrays in the Aquarium – one of the favorite exhibits of the Benimelis

Rich and Judi Benimeli are different than other Mote donors. Usually folks learn about Mote's research and public education after becoming volunteers in the Aquarium, the Goldstein Marine Mammal Center, the Laboratory, the Education Center or in another Mote endeavor. They become impressed with the quality and dedication of all our staff members and their openness to the volunteers and then decide to include Mote in their will or trust agreement.

Maybe the Benimeli's backgrounds help explain why they did things the other way around. Rich and Judi are from New Jersey. They moved to Florida in December of 1994. Rich is a college graduate, with a master's degree in computer science. Judi worked in college administration in New Jersey and is now retired. Rich is an American-born son of a Spanish immigrant, whose family name is from the town of Benimeli on Spain's Mediterranean Coast. He is retired from his own computer company that specializes in program design and customized apps for small companies.

Rich and Judi are the kind of people who through education, life work and natural propensity are socially responsible, so it is no surprise that Mote's mission has also become their mission.

If you, too, believe that science leads the way to protect and sustain all marine life, you're a natural to become a member of the Mote Legacy Society. There are many ways to plan a gift to Mote Marine Laboratory, including a charitable remainder trust, which gives you a stream of income for life and leaves Mote a gift afterward.

To learn more, contact The Development Office at 941-388-4441, Ext. 309 or plannedgiving@mote.org.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

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Donations help us rehabilitate sick animals, answer questions about the health of our marine environment and teach the public more about our oceans.

Retired Lieutenant General Howard Crowell and woman

LTG Howard G. Crowell, Jr. and Mrs. Sally M. Crowell

“The Lab means a lot to humanity; the more support it receives, the better future we will have.”
Susan and Brian Kelly

Brian and Susan Kelly

“Mote is one of the most effective answers to ocean problems that I’ve ever come across. We firmly believe the Mote Laboratory Legacy Society offers us a unique opportunity to invest in mankind’s future. It is perhaps the most impactful and assured way for us to ‘give back’ to our society.”

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

The official bequest language for Mote Marine Laboratory is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Mote Marine Laboratory [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose." 

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Mote or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Mote as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Mote as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Mote where you agree to make a gift to Mote and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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