What Will Your Legacy Be?
Legacy Giving
Since 1966, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has provided enriching nature experiences that plant priceless seeds of wonder.
Many of us can remember childhood moments that sparked a lasting connection to the natural world—finding a bird’s nest in the backyard, playing in a pile of autumn leaves, building a fort in an old maple, wandering through a milkweed patch filled with Monarch Butterflies, or visiting a local nature center with someone we loved.
If you have memories of time well spent on the live animal exhibit trail with your family, if you learn something new every time you visit, or if you believe future generations need to love and understand the natural world in order to cherish and protect it, then legacy giving may be a meaningful next step. Your legacy gift will help Squam Lakes Natural Science Center continue its mission of teaching about the natural world for generations to come.
To request information about legacy giving options, please contact Rachel Saliba, Development Director, at 603-968-7194, x 134.
Choosing the Right Gift
Outright Gifts
- Provide immediate support and the most direct way to give
- May be funded with cash, securities, or from a donor advised fund or other assets
- Charitable deductions may help you to lower your income, gift, or estate taxes
- Science Center receives full benefit of your gift upon receipt
- You enjoy seeing your gift at work during your lifetime
Bequests
- Easily done through your will or trust or donor advised fund
- May be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset
- You have continued use of your assets during your lifetime
- May provide charitable estate tax deduction
Retirement Assets and Life Insurance
- Name the Science Center as beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or investment account
- Take advantage of the IRA Charitable rollover as a tax free rollover which counts toward your required minimum distribution.
- Personal stories from our Naturalist’s Legacy Society members.
When I first heard about planned giving, I thought it would be something great to do for the Science Center. But I didn't want to run up the legal fees for estate planning purposes that might change over time as our priorities did. (That's "estate" such as it is.)
Then I discovered it's possible to plan some giving in a cheap, easily changeable way: IRA or 401(k) beneficiary designations. You go to the website of whoever manages your fund and plug in a lovely non-profit like Squam Lakes Natural Science Center as a beneficiary, along with a percentage of the assets you'd like them to get, and allocate the rest to your spouse or kids.
So that's what I did. It took less than a minute and cost nothing, but guarantees the Science Center the equivalent of several years' annual fund contributions from me... in the event I get run over by a moose."
Then I discovered it's possible to plan some giving in a cheap, easily changeable way: IRA or 401(k) beneficiary designations. You go to the website of whoever manages your fund and plug in a lovely non-profit like Squam Lakes Natural Science Center as a beneficiary, along with a percentage of the assets you'd like them to get, and allocate the rest to your spouse or kids.
So that's what I did. It took less than a minute and cost nothing, but guarantees the Science Center the equivalent of several years' annual fund contributions from me... in the event I get run over by a moose."
Laurie Beeson
Over the years Squam Lakes Natural Science Center has become a touchstone for us during our vacation at Squam Lake. We are drawn to the peace and beauty, enjoy walking the trails, and visiting favorite exhibits, but most of all have come to appreciate the vision the Science Center has. We see personal commitment by staff and volunteers alike when it is their familiar faces greeting us year after year. We notice change as we walk around, and know that the Center is dynamic, not static. It is always striving to improve.
It is in this spirit of appreciation for all that the Science Center has done and will continue to do in its mission, and our wish that future generations be able to experience what we enjoy today that we have included the Science Center in our estate plan as a beneficiary of our life insurance."
It is in this spirit of appreciation for all that the Science Center has done and will continue to do in its mission, and our wish that future generations be able to experience what we enjoy today that we have included the Science Center in our estate plan as a beneficiary of our life insurance."
Nancy and Jim Ainsworth
Have you ever noticed how a groundhog is adapted to winter? Have you ever heard children giggle as they crawl through a "sensory tunnel"? Do you know if red squirrels or grays hide their food in one place? These are just some of the experiences and knowledge that Squam Lakes Natural Science Center makes available to children, parents, and community members. Having served as a summer staff member and a sixth grader science teacher at Gilford Middle High School, I've been watching and participating in these programs for over 20 years. Repeatedly, I've been impressed by the Center's knowledge, professionalism, enthusiasm, and ethical approach to environmental education.
When it came time for me to consider writing my will and deciding where to allocate my money, there was no question that the Science Center be first on that list. Since I wanted to see these programs continue and expand beyond my lifetime, I set up a trust naming the Center as one of my beneficiaries."
When it came time for me to consider writing my will and deciding where to allocate my money, there was no question that the Science Center be first on that list. Since I wanted to see these programs continue and expand beyond my lifetime, I set up a trust naming the Center as one of my beneficiaries."
Barbara Bald
Join Our Legacy
Have you already included Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in your estate plans? We’d love to know so we can follow your wishes, thank you, and welcome you into the Naturalist’s Legacy Society.
Naturalist's Legacy Society Participants:
- Anonymous (10)
- Nancy and Jim Ainsworth
- Lucile Allen*
- Barbara A. Bald
- Carol and Marc Bard
- In memory of John M. Barnaby
from Charlotte B. Barnaby* - Roberta T. Bartlett*
- Kevin and Nancy Barrett
- Dorothy Ann Bates*
- Katherine Beede*
- Susan and Laurie Beeson
- Alan C. Bemis*
- Ellen F. D. Bennett*
- Laura Bennett and Michael Bourbeau
- Alexandra T. Breed and Douglas P. Hill
- Natale Linton Brown* and J. Willcox Brown*
- Sarah and Win Brown
- Butterworth Estate*
- Tod Campbell and Susan Murray-Campbell
- George A. Carr*
- Anne Louise Luquer Clinton*
- Bea and Woolsey Conover
- Peggy Mathieson Conver
- Richard Davenport*
- Louise deSousa*
- Brian and Lydia Eaton
- Audrey Eisenhauer
- Kenneth and Jennifer Evans
- Richard V. Fabian, Jr.*
- Timothy and Susan Fabian
- Edward and Mary Jane Farmlett
- Alfred and Bertha Fauver*
- John P. Fernandes
- Charlotte Parker Fisher* and Josiah H.V. Fisher*
- Timothy O. Fisher
- Clara B. Fowler*
- Diane Garfield and Peter L. Gross, MD
- Joanne and Cyrus Gibson
- Donna L. Goldberg
- Nancy W. Grady*
- Martha and Chris Grant
- Joyce and Steve Hackett
- Dennis and Elizabeth Hager
- Linda L. Hanson, VMD
- Barbara Hendrick
- Emmy-Lou Jorgensen
- Liz* and Tom Kelsey
- Linda and Bill Lee
- Carl Lehner
- Iain and Susan MacLeod
- Joan and David Martin
- Louise and Arthur (Sandy) McGinnes
- Susan G. McKimens
- Mary Ann and John McRae
- John P. Merrill
- Warren and Paul* Miller
- Mari T. O’Neil
- In memory of Barbara “Ginger” Parsons*
from Philip B. Parsons* - Helen Macgregor Paul*
- Marjorie B. Perry*
- Mark Peterson
- Anita B. Preston*
- Emily D. Preston
- Marjorie B. Preston*
- Barbara T. Ridgely*
- Janet Robertson
- Elizabeth and C. Daniel* Rowe
- Tom Samyn
- Olivia Saunders
- Marnie Blaisdell Schulz
- Alice Kimbell Schutter*
- Nancy and John Sherman
- Grace Murdough Slight*
- Frances Chalmers and Gail Smith
- Richard Starbuck and Deane Hall
- Carol and Robert Stewart
- Lea A. Stewart
- Shirley J. Stockwell*
- Ruth E. Taylor*
- Carol and John Thompson
- Len* and Heather Thomsen
- Ellyn Tighe, DVM
- Fred Toll*
- Bryant F. Tolles, Jr.
- Dr. Bill* and Sandee Trakat
- Marjorie L. Tuttle*
- Courtney and Justin Van Etten
- Tony Wagner and PJ Blankenhorn
- Betsy and Bruce Whitmore
- Jo Ann and Peter* Wood
*Deceased