Leaving a Legacy for Generations to Come: Checking in with Anne Lombard

Anne Lombard, a retired biology teacher who now gives her time as a volunteer working with children at Arcadia, has a long-standing love of nature and a commitment to the environment.

When she and her husband were getting ready for retirement, Anne received an inheritance from her parents. The Lombard's had already been reviewing their finances and realized that while another source of income would be helpful, they didn't need to use her inheritance as a lump sum. Rather, with planning, they found that they could establish a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) which would provide income for their lifetimes while enabling them to arrange a future gift to non-profit organizations of their choosing, like Mass Audubon. In making this gift, Anne and her husband would not only ensure future support for organizations they cared about but, they would receive a significant tax deduction that could be spread over a number of years.

"My children were through college and working and didn't need help and we knew there were other things such as our house that we could leave them as an inheritance. Setting up this CRT makes it possible for me to leave a legacy to help protect the natural world which will benefit my children, grandchildren, and generations to come.

Arcadia has been a big part of my life. As a volunteer, I get to see and work with children who come here for camp or preschool or just to walk in the woods and the fields. We are helping those young people to actively work on the climate crisis. That is so important. I also appreciate that Mass Audubon's work on land protection is helping to create connected wildlife corridors and address climate change and I feel good about support their work."

Reflecting on the CRT today, years after she and her husband first established it, Anne is happy with the outcome and takes pleasure in the knowledge that her deferred gift will benefit Mass Audubon.