Friends of the Forest Preserve District

Gifts of Cash

A gift of cash is the simplest, most convenient option and qualifies for the maximum allowable tax deduction. You can donate with your credit card, or with cash, check or credit. Call 630-871-6400 if you wish to make your donation over the phone.

You can also mail a check made payable to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage at P.O. Box 5000 in Wheaton, 60189. 

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Gifts of appreciated stocks and bonds allow you to deduct the current market value as a charitable deduction for the fair-market value of the stock.

Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance allows you to make a generous gift at relatively low cost. By designating the Friends as a beneficiary of your policy, you receive an immediate tax deduction and eliminate the proceeds of the policy from your estate. All premium payments thereafter will also be tax-deductible, subject to IRS limitations. You can also transfer ownership of a paid-up policy or donate your insurance policy dividends.

Matching Gifts

Some businesses match gifts from an employee or the employee's spouse, doubling or tripling the value of the donation. To maximize the benefit, check with your employer about matching-gift programs, and contact the Friends if you need any documentation.

Amazon Smile Foundation

Choose the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as your beneficiary charity when you shop Amazon.com, and the Amazon Smile Foundation will contribute 0.5% of your purchase to the foundation.

Community Partners Program

This program is designed for individuals, organizations, clubs and businesses interested in giving back and enhancing the quality of life for all DuPage residents. Align your mission and values with recognition opportunities based on your level of generosity. Discover more at our Community Partners page.

Friend $100 – $249

• Subscription to The Conservationist magazine
• Subscription to the Friends e-newsletter
• Recognition (name) in the Friends annual report and on web page
• Invitation to the Friends annual meeting

Guardian $250 – $499

• Subscription to The Conservationist magazine
• Subscription to the Friends e-newsletter
• Recognition (name) in the Friends’ annual report and on web page
• Invitation to the Friends annual meeting
• Admission to the Friends hospitality tent at the Fall Festival at Danada

Steward $500 – $1,999

• Subscription to The Conservationist magazine
• Subscription to the Friends e-newsletter
• Recognition in The Conservationist
• Recognition (name) in the Friends annual report and on web page
• Invitation to the Friends’ annual meeting
• Engraved leaf (by request for tribute gifts) on the donor tree at Forest Preserve District headquarters
• Admission to the Friends hospitality tent at the Fall Festival at Danada

Benefactor $2,000 – $3,499

• Subscription to The Conservationist magazine
• Subscription to the Friends e-newsletter
• Recognition in The Conservationist
• Recognition (name) in the Friends annual report and on web page
• Invitation to the Friends annual meeting
• Engraved leaf (by request for tribute gifts) on the donor tree at Forest Preserve District headquarters
• Admission to the Friends hospitality tent at the Fall Festival at Danada
• Invitations to special programs, including behind-the-scenes tours

Visionary $3,500 – $4,999

• Subscription to The Conservationist magazine
• Subscription to the Friends e-newsletter
• Recognition in The Conservationist
• Recognition (logo) in the Friends annual report and on web page
• Invitation to the Friends annual meeting
• Engraved leaf (by request for tribute gifts) on the donor tree at Forest Preserve District headquarters
• Admission to the Friends hospitality tent at the Fall Festival at Danada
• Invitations to special programs, including behind-the-scenes tours
• Recognition at Friend’ events and in publicity (for corporate partners)
• Invitation to annual corporate and community partners’ breakfast

Gifts by Will or Bequest

Gifts by will or bequest are not subject to estate or inheritance taxes, so you can ensure your testamentary gift will have the maximum benefit for the forest preserves. You can contribute a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your assets or the remainder of your estate.

Gifts from Retirement Plans

Consider naming the Friends as a beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement plan. If you are of a certain age and do not need your entire IRA income, you can take advantage of the charitable rollover provision, which allows annual tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per person directly from qualified IRAs. The distributions will count toward your annual required minimum, but you will not be taxed for the income you transfer, which can help lower the amount you own in taxes.

Establishing an Endowment

By establishing an endowment, you can be assured your charitable intentions will be followed for generations to come. Distributions from this type of permanent fund can provide substantial annual support for DuPage forest preserves in perpetuity.