Planned Giving Home

Sitemap | Donate | Membership | eNews | Shop

Planned Giving

Planned Giving Home

Create Your Plan

Donor Stories

Finance News

Meet the Staff

Named Endowment Funds

Reading Room

Sample Will / Trust Language

Professional Advisors

'08 Genealogical Research gift by Mavis Hogan - pictured with Beth Naughton

Creating Your Legacy With a Planned Gift

The Minnesota Historical Society encourages all members and friends to consider either current or deferred gifts to the Society's endowment. The Society's Named Endowment program provides donors with a wonderful opportunity for establishing a permanent legacy in their names or in memory or in honor of others. These funds will provide important support for the Society's programs for generations to come. At the time of the annual Legacy Society luncheon, October 6, 2008, the Society recognized 100 Named Funds ($50,000 minimum) and 15 Named Pooled Funds ($10,000 minimum).

Please note the Society's charter requires that bequests lacking restriction from a donor be held in perpetuity. Accordingly, such gifts become part of the Society's endowment. Earnings on these bequests that exceed the spending rate approved by the Society's governing board are added to the principal value of the endowment.

Donors who wish to designate an estate gift to a specific purpose within the charitable mission of the Society should contact the Development Department at (651) 259-3116.

For more information about planned giving options, please visit Minnesota Legacy Society.

Wills Guide Presentation

Learn how you can avoid an accidental disinheritance. View our Wills Guide Videos.
Click here to learn more.

Benefits for Family and the Minnesota Historical Society

There are several ways to plan a gift for the Minnesota Historical Society. Often, a surprisingly small amount of money can be maximized through a charitable remainder trust, will provision, or other deferred giving options.

Click on the pictures below to view the stories of some of our donors.

The Retirement Unitrust
Mary Friendly grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she inherited the farm. When Mary was growing up, the farm was out in the country. The city now has grown until the farm is now within the city limits. Several developers would like to build homes on the farmland. More on The Retirement Unitrust >>.

Model Railroader - Model Citizen ---All aboard!
Art Bergstrom a longtime member and volunteer, now adds Legacy Society member to his growing list of contributions to the Minnesota Historical Society. More on Model Railroader - Model Citizen ---All aboard! >>.

Easy IRA Gift
Barbara retired after forty years as a teacher. She had volunteered for many years with Minnesota Historical Society. More on Easy IRA Gift >>.

A Charitable Gift Annuity from the Schwartaus
John and Bernice Schwartau, along with their daughter, Judy, have elected to support the Minnesota Historical Society with a pooled named endowment fund, which they have established with two charitable gift annuities. More on A Charitable Gift Annuity from the Schwartaus >>.

Splitrock Light House

Steps to Wise Giving

There are several steps to help you make wise and prudent gifts. These pages are here to help you learn how gift planning ideas can be of personal benefit. Let us suggest a few steps that would help you in that process.

Cassie Cramer
Director of Development

Thanks very much for visiting us! I would be very pleased to help you. Simply click here to email me at your convenience.

Professional Advisors

We also have a complete tax update service for CPAs, attorneys, CLUs, CFPs, ChFCs, trust officers and other professional friends. The GiftLaw services are made available to all advisors as a free service. We also are always available to assist in helping you provide clients with clear and understandable gift illustrations. If you would like assistance with a gift illustration, please contact cassie.cramer@mnhs.org.

If you are a professional advisor, you may take the following steps on this site.