Make us a beneficiary of your IRA or other “non-probate” assets
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 Sun Valley Music Festival as a beneficiary can have a big impact and may avoid unwanted taxes for your heirs.

Charitable benefits

Common gifted assets for beneficiaries
- IRA
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Joint real estate
- Joint bank accounts
- Joint property ownership
Designate Sun Valley Music Festival as a beneficiary to one or more of your accounts.
Sun Valley Music Festival has 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.
Planned giving helps fuel the Festival’s mission
Supporters of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony have felt strongly that it is an asset that so enriches their experience and the life of the valley that they would like to have confidence that it will continue even after they are no longer around to enjoy it.
MEMBER BENEFITS
- Recognition in Music Festival publications
- Invitation to annual Encore Society appreciation event with Alasdair Neale
- Invitation to annual Winter Celebration
- Advanced ticketing to annual fundraising gala
- Your contribution will be added to the Music Festival’s endowment, helping ensure sustainable funding for free classical music concerts and education programs

The Sun Valley Music Festival educates, stimulates, fosters new friendships, and brings tremendous joy to us each summer. I could not imagine a season void of the magnificent music that echoes in our valley. I hope to preserve this treasure for generations to come!
Encore Society Member

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.
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.
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.
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.
The Festival’s Development Team is here help you meet your goals!
The Team would be happy to speak with you in confidence about your giving goals, with no obligation.
Already included the Music Festival in your estate plan? Let the Festival know
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!).
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.
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.
