"the mountain and the sea are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books." -john lubbock
Meet Our Team
The Salish Sea School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion, and connectedness. We are able to grow and learn better together with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that one can bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
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We are stronger together with the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent which ultimately brings about a healthier planet.
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Click on the pictures below to learn more.
A Meaningful Way to Give: Donating Stocks, Bonds, and Other Assets
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Thank you for considering a gift to The Salish Sea School. Your generosity helps us continue our mission of connecting students to the magic of the Salish Sea.
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One thoughtful way to support our work is by donating non-cash assets such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or ETFs that you've held for more than one year. These types of gifts not only support our programs in a big way, but they may also offer you significant tax benefits.
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Here’s how a gift of securities can make an even greater impact:
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Avoid capital gains tax: By donating appreciated assets directly, you may be able to eliminate capital gains tax—potentially increasing the value of your gift by up to 20%.
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Receive a fair market value deduction: You may also be eligible to claim a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of your gift, which could make room for even more generosity.
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If you’re interested in making a gift of securities, we’re here to help every step of the way. Please reach out to us at info@thesalishseaschool.org, and we’ll provide the details you need. Most brokerage firms will ask for a letter of instruction to initiate the transfer. If you’re donating mutual funds, your provider may have a special form.
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And if you’ve already started the process—thank you! Please let us know so we can notify our advisor and make sure everything goes smoothly. Once your gift arrives, we’ll promptly send a charitable tax receipt for your records.
Gifts from IRAs
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If you’re age 72½ or older, you can make a tax-free gift to support The Salish Sea School directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
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A QCD allows you to transfer funds straight from your IRA to The Salish Sea School, reducing your taxable income while meeting your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year. It’s a simple and tax-efficient way to protect the Salish Sea and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.
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How to make a QCD gift:
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Contact your IRA custodian or financial advisor.
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Request that a Qualified Charitable Distribution be made payable to:
The Salish Sea School
P.O. Box 1901
Anacortes, WA 98221 -
Please ask your administrator to include your name and address with the check so we can properly acknowledge your gift.
If you’ve already received notice of your Required Minimum Distribution, now’s a wonderful time to make your impact for students, wildlife, and the sea.​​
Gifts from Retirement Plans
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​​Retirement assets—like IRAs or other tax-deferred plans—can be a smart way to make a meaningful gift. These distributions are typically taxable to you or your heirs. However, when directed to a nonprofit like The Salish Sea School, these gifts can be made tax-free.
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Consider naming The Salish Sea School as a full or partial beneficiary of your retirement plan. It’s a powerful way to support marine conservation and youth education, while potentially preserving other assets for your loved ones.
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If you choose to make this type of legacy gift, please notify us at info@thesalishseaschool.org so we can ensure your gift is directed according to your wishes.
The information on this website is meant to provide general educational guidance on the topics shared. It’s not intended to serve as legal, financial, or tax advice. For personalized support, we encourage you to consult with your tax advisor, attorney, or financial planner to explore how these topics may apply to your unique situation.