The easiest way to leave a legacy for the benefit of Acadia National Park is to include Friends of Acadia in your estate plans. Members and friends who have documented provisions for Friends of Acadia in their estate plans are recognized through the George B. Dorr Society.

The Dorr Society honors George Bucknam Dorr, gentleman, scholar, and lover of nature, whose dedication to preserving Mount Desert Island helped create Acadia National Park. Each year, George B. Dorr Society members gather for a special appreciation event.

Wills, Bequests, and Trusts
Including Friends of Acadia in your will or a trust is an easy way to ensure Acadia National Park’s future without affecting your income during your lifetime. You can choose to leave Friends of Acadia a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the balance remaining after distributions have been made to other beneficiaries.

Retirement Funds
Naming Friends of Acadia as the beneficiary of a retirement plan such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, or profit-sharing pension plan allows your hard-earned savings to avoid taxes and be put to their fullest use to benefit Acadia National Park.

Life Insurance
You can transfer your policy ownership to Friends of Acadia, making a generous and meaningful gift through an asset you and your family may no longer need — and your gift will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You can name Friends of Acadia as the primary beneficiary of your life insurance policy or as contingent beneficiary should your other beneficiaries not survive you.

A Charitable Gift Annuity can help you enjoy a reliable income stream during your lifetime, regardless of market fluctuations. Friends of Acadia will receive the remaining balance of your gift annuity after the lifetime of the income beneficiaries, ensuring that your generous donation will provide a significant benefit to the park. You are eligible for an immediate income tax deduction and, if you donated appreciated assets, you may save on capital gains taxes, too.

Appreciated Securities and Other Assets
Donating stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to Friends of Acadia is a smart and simple way to help preserve and protect the park. By making a gift of appreciated securities, you may also be able to avoid capital gains tax.

IRAs and Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you are at least 73 years old* and have a traditional IRA, you may be required to take a minimum distribution from your retirement fund. Giving this distribution directly to a charity may be a tax-smart way for you to make charitable gifts to Friends of Acadia and your other favorite nonprofits.

Donor Advised Fund
A donor-advised fund allows you set aside cash and other assets with a sponsoring organization (Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab are three of the most popular) for future giving, get an immediate tax deduction, and then decide how, when, and where to donate your gifts.

Real Estate and Personal Property
Friends of Acadia can convert most real estate, personal property, and other assets into a financially prudent gift for conservation.

The planned and estate giving program, along with the George B. Dorr Society for Estate Giving, is generously sponsored by William Blair.