Tern Society

The foresight of two inspirational women, Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall, helped establish Mass Audubon as the leader in the early conservation movement of the 1800s. Following their lead, countless generous individuals have made it possible to fulfill our mission and sustain our current conservation work through a planned gift. Every gift, no matter how big or small, helps Mass Audubon grow green and strong and remain a leader in tackling the conservation challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Tern Society recognizes the individuals who include Mass Audubon in their personal estate plan — through a bequest, trust, or life income gift arrangement — gifts that will have a lasting, positive impact on the nature of Massachusetts.

A planned gift allows our members and friends to:

• Make a significant gift they might never have thought possible
• Make a larger gift than they might ever have thought possible
• Direct their support to the Mass Audubon program of their choice
• Receive potential savings on income, capital gains, gift, and/or estate taxes
• Convert low — or non-income — producing assets into an attractive income stream
• Provide a legacy that gives back for generations
• Make a difference

Members of Tern Society have expressed their commitment to Mass Audubon through a very special and important form of financial support.

These donors have named Mass Audubon as the beneficiary of a planned gift. Such gifts might include a bequest, appreciated securities, gifts of retirement accounts, gifts of life insurance and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts.

Once you complete your estate plans, please fill out our member profile form to let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity by including you in Tern Society.

Membership Benefits

Your membership involves no dues, obligations, or solicitations, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others.

Benefits of membership in the Tern Society also include luncheons, invitations to special events and seminars and a subscription to our newsletter.

The most important benefit you will receive from joining Tern Society is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to Mass Audubon's long-term success.