Gifts for the Future


Create a conservation legacy and have a lasting impact on Acadia with a charitable bequest. There are three basic types of Gifts for the Future. Learn more here or reach out at the link below to start a conversation.

1. 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.

2. 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.

It takes only 3 easy steps to complete:

  1. Request a change-of-beneficiary form from your plan administrator.
  2. List Friends of Acadia as a nonprofit organization beneficiary using our Tax ID # 01-0425071.
  3. Return the completed form to your plan administrator and send a copy to Lisa  Horsch Clark at Friends of Acadia at PO Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, or email Lisa.

3. 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.

What is the process?

  1. Request a change-of-beneficiary form from your insurance provider.
  2. List Friends of Acadia as a nonprofit organization beneficiary (Tax ID # 01-0425071).
  3. Return the completed form to your provider and send a copy to Friends of Acadia at PO Box 45, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 or email us.

At death, the benefits pass to Friends of Acadia free of federal estate tax. You can also irrevocably donate your paid-up life insurance policy – please contact us directly about making this type of gift.

George B. Dorr Society

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. 

Start a Conversation

If you are thinking about planning for your future and Acadia’s, contact us and let’s investigate  options together. We’ll work with you to find a gift that best fits your unique situation and helps you leave a legacy with Acadia.

Friends of Acadia is registered to raise funds in all states that require charitable registration. See CHARITABLE REGISTRATION DISCLOSURES for states such as Florida that require us to list their disclosure language statements.