The Bickerdyke Society recognizes individuals who choose to extend their charitable giving beyond their lifetime by including Galesburg Community Foundation in their estate plans. By arranging a planned gift during your lifetime, you can ensure the causes you care about today will be supported forever.
Planned gifts are an investment in the place you call home and have a long-term, transformative impact on the people and nonprofits you choose to support. When you give through the Community Foundation, you serve as a catalyst for community improvement and inspire others to ask how they, too, can strengthen their community in the years ahead. The Bickerdyke Society recognizes donors for this outstanding commitment to your community.
The Bickerdyke Society honors individuals and families for their commitment to their community. It is named for Galesburg resident Mary Ann Bickerdyke—known as Mother Bickerdyke—who is known for her generous and courageous service as Chief Nurse during the Civil War.
There are a variety of ways to make a planned gift. Planned gifts of any size are accepted and you may remain anonymous if you wish.
Bequests are one of the simplest ways to give. Designate a dollar amount or percentage of your estate to Galesburg Community Foundation as a beneficiary in your will or living trust. Giving this way benefits your community and can provide estate tax savings.
Retirement Plan and Life Insurance Donations can be designated—in part or fully—to the Community Foundation to benefit an organization or community. This includes IRAs, 401k plans, paid-up insurance policies, and more.
Life Income Gifts, like charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, allow you to earn income for yourself during your lifetime and leave an asset to the Community Foundation after you are gone.
Gifts of Real Estate, either gifting a piece of land or property outright or retaining it during your lifetime and making a planned gift, can create a legacy that benefits the community forever.
“The Bickerdyke society is bigger than a legacy, it says ‘forever.’ The name Naomi Law may not be remembered, and that’s okay. By contributing to the Galesburg Community Foundation, what I believe in will last forever. Isn’t that exciting?”
- Naomi Law, Bickerdyke Society member
It’s easy to join the Society. Our team is happy to sit down with you and discuss how to best accomplish your philanthropic wishes. We can also work with your professional advisor.
Our promise is to fulfill your philanthropic wishes and ensure the changing needs of our community are always met thanks to your generosity.
To learn more about The Bickerdyke Society or to get started with planning your gift, contact Sarah Grant, Director of Development, at 309.344.8898.
Charitable Giving Coordinator
Haley provides support to enhance the function and success of the Charitable Giving and Affiliate Teams. She ensures donors receive a personal approach to philanthropy through outstanding customer service by supporting charitable giving for donors and fund holders across the state.
