The document discusses the importance of establishing a legacy society for non-profit organizations. It focuses on the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Legacy Society created by the Barber National Institute. The legacy society recognizes donors who have included the organization in their estate plans through planned gifts. One member, Adeline Rose Krohn, decided to leave a gift to the foundation after seeing the great care her son Roy received at the Barber Institute for decades. She wanted to help ensure the organization could continue its important mission long into the future. Since creating the legacy society in 2007, it has gained 28 members whose total planned gifts have exceeded $5.3 million as of mid-2011.

1. The importance of establishing a
legacy society
Published: April 13. 2012 12:01AM
Erie Times-News Special Reports: Finance & Insurance
By Gary L. Bukowski, CFRE
Vice President for Advancement
Barber National Institute
Now more than ever, there is a critical need for nonprofit organizations to focus on the power of private
philanthropy. During these challenging economic times of budget cuts and reduced funding for programs
and services, it is important to analyze the variety of ways individual donors can have the greatest impact
on the future of the organizations they cherish and support. One of the best (and quite possibly the most
overlooked) fundraising avenues that a nonprofit organization should explore is establishing a legacy
society. A legacy society recognizes the generous donors who have included an organization in their
estate plans through a planned gift. According to the Giving USA Foundation, charitable bequests were
estimated at $22.83 billion for 2010, an increase of 18.8 percent over the previous year. Creating a legacy
society is a wonderful way to honor individuals today who have made a planned gift to ensure that an
organization has a brighter tomorrow and is able to carry out its mission well into the future.
In 2007, the Barber National Institute created the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Legacy Society to acknowledge
the generous contributors who have made planned gifts to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation, the
fundraising arm of the organization. This year marks the 100th birthday of the late founder of the Barber
National Institute, Dr. Gertrude A. Barber, who dedicated her life to bringing hope and opportunity to
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As the Barber Institute celebrates this milestone, we
honor the history of our organization and continue to invest in its bright future. Support from friends in
the community ensures that Dr. Barber's mission of Faith, Hope and Love continues to be carried out for
years to come.
In January 2011, the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber
Foundation welcomed a very dear friend and
supporter, Adeline Rose Krohn, into the Dr.
Gertrude A. Barber Legacy Society. Adeline's
daughter, Donna Watt, said that her mother had a
very good reason for making a planned gift to the
Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation. Donna and her
mother both saw the kind of care and concern
shown to Donna's brother, Roy Stevenson, at the
Barber National Institute over many decades.
"My mom and I have had such peace over the
years knowing how much the staff cares for and
loves Roy," Donna said. "We really love all the
staff and nurses. It's not just a job to them; they
really love what they do."

2. Donna said that when her mother passed away in December 2010, she was comforted knowing that Roy
was well cared for. That knowledge has also been reassuring to Donna, who resides in Huntington Beach,
Calif.
Roy and his family first came to know Dr. Gertrude Barber in the early 1960s when he began preschool at
the facility that had recently opened on East Avenue. Roy would embark on the long van ride to Erie from
the family home in Corry. Then, when he turned school age, he entered a special education classroom in
Wattsburg.
When Roy turned 21, though, he made the decision to move into a Barber Institute group home. For Roy
and his family, it turned out be a wonderful choice. "My parents really weren't ready to let Roy go, but he
told them, 'I want to be independent and I don't want to be a burden on you.' They realized that he wanted
to have a life of his own," Donna said.
Roy would often come home for weekend visits, but would then miss his friends and be eager to return to
the group home.
Ten years ago, Roy had a cerebral hemorrhage that left him unable to walk or use his right side. He began
using a wheelchair, and Donna said that the staff made all necessary changes at his home to accommodate
him. About a year ago, Roy again suffered serious health problems, and Donna said that the staff was
there throughout his hospital stay.
"Roy has far surpassed his doctor's expectations and I think it is because of the love and joy that he finds
in living his life," Donna said.
A few years ago, Mrs. Krohn decided to leave a gift to the Barber Foundation and discussed it wither her
daughter.
Donna thought that it was such a good idea that she and her husband also have a gift in trust as well. "This
is just a small token of how much we appreciate how much (the staff) loves my brother," said Donna. The
Watts' decision to include the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation in their estate plans is a wonderful
tribute to Dr. Gertrude A. Barber. Their action is especially meaningful during this historic year as the
Barber Institute celebrates her 100th Birthday and honors all that she has accomplished with a $1,000,000
Challenge to ensure a bright future for the very special organization she founded in 1952.
Donna and Roy talk frequently on the phone and she looks forward to visiting him again this spring. Until
then, she is confident that he is being well cared for. "For all the places for my brother to be born, it is
wonderful that it was near the Barber Institute."
Since the creation of the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Legacy Society in August 2007, 28 donors have become
members of this very special group. The Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation has received $5.3 million in
gifts from its Legacy Society members as of June 30, 2011, and continues to raise awareness of the
importance and power of planned giving within the Erie community and beyond.