BeCOME A Legend
Planned Giving
The Legend program is your opportunity to preserve and protect the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed for generations to come. “Legends” are individuals who have chosen to provide for the long-term financial support of the Glen Lake Association in their will or estate plan. When you become a Legend, you embrace the mantle of watershed stewardship into the future. This future support of watershed protection is perhaps the best assurance of the lakes and river’s continued health. Your generosity will help sustain the Glen Lake Association’s state-of-the-art research and award-winning water protection programs in perpetuity.
How Do I Become A Legend?
There are a variety of planned giving options for becoming a Legend and providing for the future of Glen Lake and its watershed. Planned gifts may be made by designating the Glen Lake Association or one of its funds as a beneficiary of:
- A will
- An insurance policy
- A trust arrangement
- An IRA or retirement plan
Legends receive special recognition
When you become a Legend, your gift will be gratefully acknowledged with:
- A custom topographic clock featuring the Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed
- Recognition in written Glen Lake Association communications
- An annual invitation to a private gathering with our Board of Directors, watershed scientist and other staff
We are always available to answer your questions by phone or by email
How Will My Legend Gift Be Used?
Legends may designate a gift to one of the following funds:
The General Fund
The General Fund is an unrestricted fund which is managed by the Glen Lake Association. This fund is used to support ongoing operating expenditures of the organization.
The Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund is independently managed by professional investment advisors through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (“GTRCF”). Each year, the GTRCF gives a grant to the Glen Lake Association equal to 4% of the Endowment Fund’s value. The Endowment Fund’s principal is held by GTRCF and is not available to the Glen Lake Association.
The Watershed Protection Fund
The Watershed Protection Fund is a restricted fund managed by the Glen Lake Association. The fund’s principal is prudently invested in a blend of equity and fixed income securities and is available only for special water quality initiatives or watershed emergencies. However, 4% of the Watershed Protection Fund’s value is transferred annually to the General Fund to support ongoing operations.
Next Steps to become a legend
We highly recommend that you have an attorney prepare or review your estate planning documents.
If you have questions or would like to let us know of your intention to include the Glen Lake Association in your estate plan, please use the form below and select “Planned Giving” from the subject list.
Legend Stories
Read what current Legends have to say about why they chose support the Glen Lake Association through planned giving
Pat & Cheryl Barry
“I have loved Glen Lake since my parents first brought me here in 1953,” writes Pat. “My four siblings, their families, and the extended family – upwards of 50 people – continue to gather here annually. When I introduced Cheryl to the area some 15 years later, she fell in love as well. Our children, Jeff and Rebecca, grew up summering here, and the tradition continues with our grandchildren. Glen Lake becomes one with your soul. We cannot imagine life without it and know that our family tradition will continue long into the future.
We enormously appreciate all that the Glen Lake Association does to keep the lake beautiful. By being Legends, we are pleased to provide future support for the outstanding work of the Association. We take comfort that this work will enable people to enjoy our beloved Glen Lake for decades and decades to come.”
Vik & Sue Theiss
“Susan and I are so grateful to have had the opportunity to reside on Glen Lake every summer and more for the last 30+ years. During that time, we have come to understand how fragile and threatened its ecology is, and the important difference the Glen Lake Association is making in defending against these threats.
We are pleased to be able to do our part in helping to maintain this momentum going forward, so that all will have the same opportunity that we have had to enjoy an unblemished and healthy ecosystem in the most special place on earth.”
Join Our Current Legends
Bruce & Christie Alton
Peter Anderson
Sumner & Irene Bagby
Patrick & Cheryl Barry
Denny & Carole Becker
Bob & Julie Berlacher
Greg & Sue Besio
Robert & Felicia Bloom
Bob & T Boles
Brian & Mary Campbell
Dave & Cara Cassard
Richard & Carolyn Chormann
Carl & Polly DeFaria
James & Sharon Doyle
Jim & Susan Dutmers
Tom & Monica Dutmers
Paul & Mary Finnegan
Ken & Kris Fishman
Jeff & Diane Hamilton
David Hayes
Jane Haley
John & Carrie Haley
Peter & Barb Haley
David & Susan Haughn
David & Maureen Herr
John & Carolyn Hoagland
Jeff & Susan Carver Janata
Gary & Christine Johnson
Robert & Barbara Karner
Thomas & Marilyn Klingaman
Charles & Joanne Knight
Joan Kramps
Joe & Sue Lake
Edward & Cameron Lanphier
Bruce & Ann Lichliter
Bill & Susanne Meserve
Charles & Sara Ofenloch
Carl & Jackie Oleson
John Peppler
Denis & Martha Pierce
John & Ginny Rockwood
Dick & Barbara Schilling
Vik & Sue Theiss
Tim & Sue Unger
Bill & Rita Witler