Make Gardens Buffalo Niagara a Part of Your Legacy

Living Gardens Legacy Society members are committed to creating a vibrant and beautiful region. As a part of their commitment, they seek to ensure Gardens Buffalo Niagara will continue to flourish, by leaving a legacy for generations to come. Through community gardens, beautification projects, and other gardening projects to connect neighbors and increase health, your legacy can reflect your love of our region and gardening!

Current members of the Living Gardens Legacy Society include: Cheryl Bell, Jill Benker-Beck (deceased), Ann Blinston (deceased), Leslie and Jim Charlier, Catherine and Matt Lincoln, Cindy and Peter Loomis, Nikki Ronan, and Amy Vilz (deceased).

meaningful donations can come from anyone–and in any size.

Members of the Society invest in the future of Gardens Buffalo Niagara through a planned gift.

What is planned giving? It’s a contribution you make through your will! Gifts can be a specific dollar amount, a percentage or formulary amount, or a specific asset (real property, personal property, stocks, bonds, etc.).

Planned giving can also be accomplished by naming Gardens Buffalo Niagara as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, retirement plan, annuity or IRA. No matter the size of your gift, you can be assured that it will be put to use doing important community development work.

If you don’t have a will, state law will direct your property be distributed under a one-size-fits-all statutory formula which is unlikely to fully reflect your wishes. Regardless of the size of your estate, planning is an important step.

benefits of membership

  • You will be honored at the Garden Walk Thank You Party each year to celebrate with others committed to thriving communities.

  • You will be recognized annually in the Gardens Buffalo Niagara spring newsletter.

  • Most importantly, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping to ensure that Gardens Buffalo Niagara will flourish for many years to come.

  • Planned gifts can also provide you with valuable estate and income tax benefits. Your Accountant can tell you more!

how to do it.

Just name Gardens Buffalo Niagara (Tax ID #30-0390769) among the beneficiaries in your will and the amount or nature of the gift.

It's even simpler if you name Gardens Buffalo Niagara as the beneficiary of property such as a bank account, life insurance policy, or retirement plan. The bank or other company usually provides a form you can use. Always talk to your attorney about anything regarding your will and bequests.

Last step? You simply have to inform us that you have named Gardens Buffalo Niagara in your plans. Then you’re a Living Gardens Legacy Society member, with all the card-carrying member benefits listed above. But most importantly, you have the chance to create lasting community impact, through the beauty of gardens.

want to learn more?

Contact Gardens Buffalo Niagara Board Member and Development Chair, Catherine Lincoln at ccarrlincoln@gardensbuffaloniagara.com or call (716) 247-5004.