Planned Giving

IRW’s planned giving program— the Purple Crayon Society—honors those individuals whose legacy will help sustain the mission of Island Readers & Writers for generations to come.

 

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Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson is a classic, and a favorite of IRW’s founder Jan Coates. It has enchanted and inspired children to dream and imagine what could be for generations. That too is the goal of IRW’s legacy giving program, the Purple Crayon Society. Legacy giving provides the security for IRW to dream and innovate with confidence of sustainability into the future.

There are many ways to leave a lasting legacy…

  • Bequest: Leave a gift through your will or estate.
  • Retirement Plan or IRW: Make a gift through your Individual Retirement Account or 401(k) pension plan. 
  • Insurance Policy: Name IRW as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. You can receive a charitable tax deduction for the cash value of the policy on your federal tax return in the year you name IRW as the owner of the policy. The gift of the policy removes it from your estate and reduces your federal estate tax.
  • Gifts that Pay You: Establish a charitable trust or a charitable gift annuity. These sources provide ongoing support, not just a one-time gift.

IRW truly, deeply changes the lives of children and their families. Join me in helping to secure its future by making a legacy gift.

Sallie Findlay, Founding Board Director
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In Memory

Nancy Burrows Putnam (1931–2020) became the first member of IRW’s Purple Crayon Society with her legacy gift in 2024. Her generosity will help ensure IRW’s work continues to touch the lives of Maine children, and supports books given by the Forever Books program.