Lifetime Membership | Girl Scouts

Leave a Legacy

In March 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered just a few girls to begin the Girl Scouts. Juliette's outstanding leadership was matched by her stewardship when she converted the carriage house of her home into the first Girl Scout national headquarters, and she gifted the property to Girl Scouts in her will.

Juliette's bequest was the beginning of planned giving for Girl Scouts. In her memory, the Juliette Gordon Low Society was established to thank and honor friends of Girl Scouting who choose to make Girl Scouts part of their legacies and a beneficiary of their estate plans.

To celebrate membership in the society, each member will receive a special lapel pin. Members are invited to attend special recognition and educational events and are recognized in select publications.

Your legacy will shine through the smiles, the laughter, and the achievements of Girl Scouts for years to come.

For more information about becoming a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society, please contact Philanthropy at 614-487-8101 or email us at give@gsoh.org.

Some ways to execute a planned gift:

Bequest

A provision in a will or estate plan that allocates all or part of the individual’s estate to a designated charity.

Charitable Remainder Trust toggle arrow

An irrevocable trust that pays a specified annual amount to one or more people for a fixed period of years (often the life of the individual). At the end of the term of the trust, the remaining trust assets are distributed to the charity. A charitable remainder annuity trust provides a fixed payment; a charitable remainder unitrust pays out a fixed percentage of the trust value each year.

Charitable Lead Trust toggle arrow

Similar to a charitable remainder trust, but the principal reverts to the donor or his or her designated heirs at the end of the trust term. If the principal reverts to the donor, he or she gets a charitable income tax deduction; if an heir, that person gets a charitable gift tax deduction.

Charitable Gift Annuity toggle arrow

An irrevocable transfer of property (e.g. securities) in exchange for a contract to pay the donor an annuity for life. Because the value of the property exceeds the value of the annuity, it is partially a gift to the institution.

Life Insurance toggle arrow

An arrangement in which a donor gives a life insurance policy to the charity. The cash value of that gift is tax deductible, as are any future premiums the donor may opt to pay on that policy. Note that only life insurance policies that are paid in full qualify as planned gifts.

Life Estate toggle arrow

An arrangement in which a donor gives her home to the nonprofit while retaining the right to live there for the remainder of her life. The donor receives an immediate income tax deduction. The charity may sell the property upon the donor’s death.

Pooled Income Fund toggle arrow

An arrangement, similar to a mutual fund, in which a donor contributes to a fund and receives a share of the proceeds based on the percentage of his contribution. Donors pay no capital gains on the transfer of appreciated property. When the donor dies, his shares transfer to the charity.

Resources

Do you and/or your family members have a will?

Through a GSUSA partnership, now you can, for free (up to $265.00 value). Create a free will in ten minutes.

Take advantage of this great opportunity, regardless of your age (because everyone should have a will) and if you'd like to name GSOH in your final plans be sure to let us know. If you make a gift to GSOH we will send you your pin and welcome information into the Juliette Gordon Low Society.