Keep your ducks in a row...!
Learn more about estate planning from Northern Trust's A Stress Test for Your Estate Plan. As always Lake Forest Open Lands recommends that you consult with your financial advisor.

Retirement Plans

Wills and Living Trusts

Donor-Advised Funds

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable Lead Trusts

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Life Insurance

Making Lake Forest Open Lands A Part of Your Legacy

In 1967, an ambitious group of individuals had a vision of preserving open spaces with a single nature preserve comprised of high quality native prairie land in Lake Forest, IL. This group represented the humble beginnings of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association.

Lake Forest Open Lands Association continues to this day to be dedicated to conserving our natural environment. And today, the original single nature preserve has evolved to 8 nature preserves and represents over 900 acres of prairie, wetland, savanna, ravine and woodlands. Lake Forest Open Lands also provides environmental education programming to over 3,000 students every year.

Lake Forest Open Lands Association is supported completely by the generosity of members, donors and volunteers.  In fact, just seven years after we were founded, we received our first planned gift when John “Archie” Stevenson made a gift of land in 1974 and included Lake Forest Open Lands in his estate plans. Since that time, many of our members and friends have made Lake Forest Open Lands Association part of their estate plans.
The Open Prairie Society recognizes those individuals who have included Lake Forest Open Lands in their estate and allows you to continue the legacy that Mr. Stevenson began by considering a planned gift of your own. A planned gift can have a substantial impact not only on the continued conservation efforts of Lake Forest Open Lands, but it can also provide benefits to you and your family. Planned gifts can include bequests, gifts of real estate, gifts of life insurance, pooled income funds and charitable trusts. These gifts generate tax benefits for your heirs and it ensures that your legacy will be a gift for future generations to experience the natural landscapes which you have come to appreciate and enjoy.

Your generosity makes it possible for Lake Forest Open Lands Association to ensure the continued preservation and restoration of our lands. Land is our legacy – we hope you’ll consider making Lake Forest Open Lands a part of yours.

Lake Forest Open Lands Association is a 501(c)(3) organization. Please contact us at info@lfola.org or 847.234.3880 x16 with any questions regarding your planned giving.

Consult with your tax advisor for IRS Charitable Contributions and Deductions guidelines.