Leave a Legacy
Supporting Your CommunityLeave a Legacy
The Legacy Society recognizes individuals and couples who have named the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation as the beneficiary of any type of planned or deferred gift. The purpose is to acknowledge and thank those who have planned for these gifts and to inspire other individuals to do the same.
Members of our Legacy Society are recognized in our Annual Report and invited to our annual Legacy Society Event.
Joining the Legacy Society requires two steps:
- Arrange for a planned gift in favor of the GHACF.
- Inform the GHACF by returning a completed, signed, and dated Legacy Society form.
While we won’t ask how much is being left to the Foundation, we do encourage you to discuss your future gifts with your loved ones and your professional advisors. We also encourage you to share your intentions with us to ensure that we can comply with your wishes. You choose the name of your fund and the charitable intent, then we’ll file this information confidentially to ensure that your plans will be followed according to your wishes. Your instructions can be changed at any time with a simple phone call to the office, but your gift will be endowed and grants will be made from it forever.
Bequests from a will are one of the most common and powerful ways to leave a gift to the GHACF—however, there are many ways to turn a specific asset into a legacy. Some have made the Foundation the beneficiary of 401K/IRA plans or insurance policies, while others have established a Charitable Gift Annuity or a Charitable Remainder Trust in favor of the Foundation.
The Legacy Society is our way to recognize the people who are planning today for gifts that will provide significant benefits to our community in the future. Because of the generosity of people like you, the lakeshore region of West Michigan will continue to be a wonderful place to call home now and for generations to come!
The Legacy Society provides a wonderful opportunity for you to leave your lasting mark on our community. If you are ready to join or if you would just like more information, please contact Chris Riker by email or at 616-842-6378
Donor Impact Stories
An Act of Love: Making a Memorial Gift to the Community Foundation
Our Community Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life for all by working together to collectively address challenges and opportunities throughout West Michigan. This caring impact draws community members to make a variety of contributions, including gifts in memory of loved ones.
Why I Give: The Reinecke Family
The Reinecke family has made a tradition of giving back. “Our grandmother, Frances Reinecke, gave back to the community in countless ways, but there was always one consistent theme,” said Jason Reinecke. “Frances had an enormous heart for children and families that were disadvantaged. Her compassion for others has instilled a sense of pride within our family but also the motivation to follow in her footsteps.”
Why We Give: Joyce & Andy Cawthon
Andy and Joyce Cawthon chose to open a named greatest needs fund because “there is great value in pooling resources with other people of a similar mind,” said Andy. “My individual giving might not have an impact on a pressing community need, and if I’m picking the beneficiary, how do I know if I’m picking the best thing? We trust the foundation to make that decision for us.” By making an unrestricted contribution to the foundation, the Cawthons can rest assured that today, tomorrow, and forever those resources will be invested wisely and with a focus on impact.