“Someone’s sitting in the shade today
because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
                     - Les Brown

Are you willing to plant a shade tree knowing you, personally, will never sit under it, but are satisfied because future generations will? If you answer “yes” to this question then you already understand the concept of planned giving, making a donation through your estate plan even though you may never see your gift at work.  A gift through an estate plan is one of the most altruistic gestures one can make. It is a gift solely for the sake of others, a gift for future generations. Anyone can make a planned gift regardless of the dollar value of one’s estate. It only takes passion for The Friends and our mission. 

Including The Friends in your estate plan can be a simple as making a provision in your will or trust. You can do this by designating a specific amount or a specific percentage of your estate as a gift to The Friends. You can also name The Friends as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or make use of a number of life income arrangements. It is now possible to make a “rollover” gift, during 2007, out of your IRA account.  We urge you to discuss a gift to The Friends with your attorney and financial advisor.

In the past, The Friends has been the recipient of several generous bequests to support the Saint Paul Public Library. In most cases, bequests are placed in endowment funds that support the Library on an annual and on-going basis. These endowments are permanent cornerstones for the Library. These funds assure that the Library will have additional resources each year to respond to the most immediate and sometimes pressing needs of patrons.

The Friends established The John & Myrtle Briggs Circle to recognize those who have chosen to make a lasting commitment to The Friends with a provision in their estate plan.  The Library has benefited greatly from The Friends’ endowments and gifts established by these individuals.  Through the generosity of The John & Myrtle Briggs Circle members, The Friends has provided: funding for tens of thousands of library books and materials; free, award-winning literary and music programs; support for renovating and constructing new library buildings; and, community outreach programs. Have you already included The Friends in your estate plans?  Let us know so that we may include you in The John & Myrtle Briggs Circle.

If you are undecided about just how to make your commitment, please call us and we would be delighted to discuss the various options that are available. We would be happy to share with you the wide variety of ways you can make a bequest to The Friends.

Once you have decided to plant that shade tree, we will help make certain that it flourishes and that your gift will benefit the Saint Paul Public Library and the future generations who enjoy and depend on it.  For more information, please contact Liz Boyd at 651/222-3242 or Liz@thefriends.org.

 “A man doesn’t plant a tree for himself.
He plants it for posterity.”
                                      -Alexander Smith