LEGACY GIVING
The Watershed Center's History
Over thirty years ago, a network of conservation professionals and community members gathered monthly around a table over brown bag lunches. Through these conversations, they began to see an overwhelming need for an organization dedicated to addressing local water quality concerns. In 1994, The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was born from these lunch gatherings. Our work today carries forth the same legacy – deeply rooted in collaboration and informed by science, we work throughout the watershed to inform policies, propel restoration, and engage the community in being a voice for our waters.
We invite everyone who cherishes our waters to join us at the table and play a critical role in protecting the water you love. When you add a gift to The Watershed Center to your will, no matter the size, your generosity will give a voice to the water for generations to come.
Investing in the Future
The Watershed Center has been a trusted advocate for clean, healthy water for over thirty years. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, we are guided by a dedicated Board of Directors who steward our financial health and ensure our long-term resilience.
Individual supporters like you provide roughly one-third of our annual revenue – critical support that we leverage to unlock even greater impact. Every dollar donated helps us secure on average an additional $120 in competitive grant funding to power our largest projects.
In 2022 we launched our Sustainability Campaign, a forward-looking effort to strengthen and diversify support for our mission. This campaign laid the groundwork for new strategies to ensure that our work continues well into the future.
Our priorities and funding needs are shaped by watershed plans, science-based roadmaps developed in collaboration with partners and stakeholders to guide the protection and restoration of our region’s water resources. Legacy gifts, unless otherwise directed, help accelerate progress on these strategic priorities and sustain our mission for generations to come.
Information to assist with your legacy gift:
Legal Name
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Initiative, Inc.
DBA
The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay
EIN
38-3198787
Address
420 E. Front St, Ste. 200
Traverse City, MI 49686
Point of Contact
Michelle Handke
mhandke@gtbay.org
231.935.1514 x4
“My summers on the water in northern Michigan are my most cherished childhood memories. Those experiences sparked joy, growth, and curiosity in me and I felt compelled from a young age to do my part to protect our waters. I believe deeply in The Watershed Center’s mission and our collaborative approach. I feel truly grateful for each opportunity I have to connect with individuals who share my love of our waters and am honored that I can help them leave a legacy that protects our lakes, beaches, and streams.”
Michelle Handke
TWC’s Director of Philanthropy
Your Next Steps
- Legacy giving is an expression of your personal values and the legacy that you wish to share for generations to come. We encourage you to reflect on what has been most important to you, what you would like your legacy to be, and how you may be able to support that through a charitable legacy gift.
- The process is simple, but we always recommend seeking independent professional advice. Contact your financial advisor or lawyer to discuss options that are best for your situation. The most popular legacy gifts are charitable bequests in wills. An advisor can assist you in creating or amending your will and help you understand tax advantages to various other types of gifts such as specialized trusts. You may also consider naming The Watershed Center as a designated beneficiary of an IRA or other accounts.
- Discuss your plans with family members. Sharing this information can be beneficial to helping your family understand your values and the legacy you want to leave.
- Provide your financial planner with the information provided in the box to the top right, including our contact information and details.
- Share your intentions with us. Please let us know if you have designated a legacy gift for The Watershed Center. This helps us to document and honor your intentions, and to say thank you! You can provide whatever level of detail you are comfortable sharing, and your gift can be anonymous if you prefer. Click the button below to download a simple form you can use to share your intentions with us.