Planned Giving

Planned giving can allow you to meet a number of goals simultaneously through a variety of deferred giving arrangements. You can meet your own needs and make provisions for your family members, while also minimizing your estate's tax burden. You can also make a future commitment to the Wisconsin Historical Society, without losing access to your assets in the present. Ultimately, planned giving can provide you with opportunities to make the most of your assets, both now and in the future.

The recently adopted Pension Protection Act has incorporated a package of charitable giving incentives including an IRA distribution provision. If you are 70-½ or older, you can still take a distribution from your IRA (up to $100,000) and transfer it directly to a qualifying charity, (such as the Wisconsin Historical Foundation), without having to count the distribution as taxable income. Gifts transferred from IRAs may be given in addition to any other charitable giving that has already been planned. You do not have to give up annual giving to take advantage of this opportunity. For more information on this giving option, which continues through December 31, 2007, contact Jeanne Engle, Director of Development, by e-mail or phone at (608) 264-6580.

Estate Giving Guide  (PDF, 85KB)
Learn more about planned giving and making deferred gifts to the Wisconsin Historical Society. This guide explains several methods of making a planned gift and a printable form to request additional information. After reading the Guide you may also submit this form electronically.

The Foundation honors those individuals who benefit the Wisconsin Historical Society through deferred gifts with membership in the Robert B. L. Murphy Society. Mr. Murphy served on the Board of Curators for the Wisconsin Historical Society from 1958 until 1990, as its president from 1958 until 1961 and was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Board of Advisors from 1967 until 1973. He was a founding member of the Wisconsin Historical Foundation in 1954 and served throughout his life on its board and as the Foundation's president from 1960 until 1990. The Robert B. L. Murphy Society for donors of deferred gifts was named in honor of Mr. Murphy in 1998.

Robert B. L. Murphy Society Members (PDF, 64KB)
Currently, 160 individuals belong to the Robert B. L. Murphy Society. The approximate value of their deferred arrangements is more than $3.2 million.

Illuminating Wisconsin's History
Through Deferred Gifts

As the symbol for the Robert B. L. Murphy Society, the lantern suggests the past but also represents a common need of people of all eras. From primitive torch to sophisticated laser, we have relied on light sources to help guide us as we move forward and to help inform us about the unknown. The generosity of the members of the Robert B. L. Murphy Society will extend its reach into the coming generations as their gifts make possible the continued illumination of our State's rich heritage.

ideas: A Financial and Charitable Planning Guide
The Wisconsin Historical Foundation offers a free planned giving newsletter. ideas: A Financial and Charitable Planning Guide is a brief quarterly publication that includes short articles on various planned giving news and information. Subscribe to ideas .

For more information on Planned Giving or to discuss making a deferred gift to the Society, please contact Jeanne Engle.

The Estate Giving Guide is available in .pdf format. To obtain the free Adobe Acrobat  reader, you can find information in our help section.

The Wisconsin Historical Foundation is a member of the National Committee on Planned Giving and subscribes to NCPG's Model Standards of Practice for the Charitable Gift Planner