Planned Giving

Legacy Society

The Minnesota Historical Society recognizes members who have provided for MNHS in their estate plans by inducting them into the Legacy Society. The Legacy Society inducts members annually each October. Watch the presentation from October 7, 2024: 20th Annual Legacy Society Celebration.

• The Haugen Family 
• General Denny Schulstad
• Sandy Waterman 

MNHS is very thankful for the support of these generous members and donors. Their commitment and investment in preserving and sharing history will have a lasting impact on MNHS and our work to serve all people of Minnesota. Learn more about the members of the Society we lost over the past year. These generous individuals and families made a lasting impact, and their contributions and support will never be forgotten.

Letter of Intent (Download)

Giving options

Making a gift to the Minnesota Historical Society through your estate ensures MNHS remains strong for future generations.

Will bequest

A bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made to family, friends or Minnesota Historical Society as part of your estate plan. Sample bequest language:

I give, devise, and bequeath to the Minnesota Historical Society, a non-profit educational corporation, located at 345 West Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, Minnesota, ____ percent of my estate (or, the sum of $________; or, ____ percent of the residue of my estate) to be directed toward MNHS’s endowment and/or directed to the area you choose.

Tax ID: 41-0713907

Donor advised funds

A donor advised fund is an account administered by a foundation or financial advisor to which a donor makes charitable contributions. The donor or designated representative can then recommend grants from the fund to MNHS.

IRA qualified charitable distribution

The IRA qualified charitable distribution law allows individuals 70.5 years or older to give up to $105,000 directly from their IRA to one or more qualified organizations without paying federal income tax on the withdrawal.

Stocks and bonds

Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to MNHS.

Real estate

The donation of appreciated real estate, such as a home, undeveloped land, farmland, or commercial property, is a great way to support MNHS projects and programs.

Retirement assets

Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets such as a gift from your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan helps support the mission of MNHS.

Insurance

If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider gifting it to MNHS. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children and they are now financially independent adults.

Required minimum distribution

A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement account(s). Generally, you are required to start taking withdrawals from certain tax-deferred retirement accounts (including traditional IRAs) when you reach age 73.

Sample letter to send to the administrator of the retirement account.