Baseball, Wildlife and Giving Back: Why Mike and Debbie Choose to Give Through Their IRA

When Mike and Debbie first came to Arizona, they were not looking for a cause to support. They were looking for baseball. Like many retirees, they planned trips around the game they loved. Over the years, they traveled the country visiting ballparks and exploring new cities together. Along the way, they started another tradition. Whenever they visited a new city, they made time to visit the local zoo. What began as a fun addition to their travels became one of their favorite ways to experience a community. Each zoo had its own personality, its own stories and its own connection to the people.

As their travels brought them back to Phoenix year after year, the Phoenix Zoo became one of their favorite stops. At first, they were guests. Then they became supporters. They enjoyed seeing new habitats open and learning more about the animals that called the Zoo home. Over time, they began to understand the important role accredited zoos play in caring for species that face growing challenges in the wild. Just as importantly, they saw the impact the Zoo had on people. Every visit brought opportunities to watch children experience animals up close. Those moments reminded Mike and Debbie why places like the Phoenix Zoo matter.

As retirees, they also wanted to be thoughtful about their charitable giving. Both have retirement accounts and wanted to support the causes they cared about in a way that made sense for their overall plans. After speaking with their advisor, they learned they could make charitable gifts directly from their IRA. Today, those gifts help support Phoenix Zoo they have come to love. For Mike and Debbie, however, the gift itself is only part of the story. What matters most is knowing that future generations will have opportunities to experience wildlife, ask questions and develop a connection to the natural world. After all, that connection is what inspired them in the first place.