Legacy Giving

Supporters of the Aldo Leopold Foundation join our legacy giving program, the Good Oak Society, as a way to show their lasting commitment to Leopold’s land ethic and continue making the world a better place.

We rely on our Good Oak Society members to help us prepare for future challenges as well as to build stability into our current programs.

Why Legacy Giving?

A legacy, or planned, gift allows you to leave a conservation legacy and help sustain the work of the foundation, while also meeting your individual financial and estate planning goals. Depending on the gift arrangement and your circumstances, you may be able to avoid capital gains taxes, reduce your estate taxes, or receive an income tax charitable deduction in a variety of ways.

At the same time, planned gifts connect your personal legacy to that of Leopold’s, and provide critical support for the foundation’s programs and initiatives. While many nonprofit organizations (the Leopold Foundation included) rely on annual cash contributions to support their operating budgets, planned gifts and estate gifts provide an assured base of support that can transform an organization.

One important example is our headquarters building and visitor’s center, the Leopold Center. Construction of this state-of-the-art “green” building was made possible with the assistance of a legacy gift left to us by a Good Oak Society member.

Options for Giving

Since our founding, individuals dedicated to our long-term success have set up planned gifts for our benefit. Some supporters have included us as a beneficiary of their will, retirement plan [e.g., 401(k), 403(b), IRA], or life insurance policy. Others have contributed to our endowment to continue their annual support after they’re gone.

Please Join Us!

We’re happy to provide more information about wills, bequests, and other planned giving opportunities. To learn more, or to inform us of your intent to include the Aldo Leopold Foundation in your estate plans, please contact Deb Nieuwenhuis, Donor Stewardship Coordinator, at deb@aldoleopold.org| 608.355.0279 ext. 270

If you are ready to take the first steps toward legacy giving, download the fillable form here.

Note: Our federal tax ID number is 39-1423225.