Legacy Challenge

A Lasting Gift for Tug Hill’s Future

This is a unique opportunity for our supporters to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the future of our region’s cherished landscapes.

This initiative, generously supported by Bob and Carol Keller, offers an exciting incentive: for every new commitment to include the Land Trust in your will, the Kellers will contribute a $1,000 gift to the Land Trust, up to a total of $10,000.

What Is the Legacy Challenge?

The Legacy Challenge encourages individuals to create a bequest in their will that includes Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust. Whether large or small, these gifts help safeguard the land, wildlife, and natural resources of Tug Hill for future generations to enjoy. By participating in this program, you’re not only leaving a personal legacy but also unlocking immediate support through the Kellers’ generous challenge gift.

Honoring Past Supporters

If you have already included Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust in your will, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks.

To recognize this commitment, Bob and Carol Keller will make a one-time gift of $2,500 to honor those who have previously pledged their support. If you're one of these legacy donors, expect to hear from us soon so we can express our gratitude and keep you updated on the important work your gift will support.

How to Participate

Participating in the Legacy Challenge is simple. All it requires is completing a short form to notify the Land Trust of your legacy gift. This form helps us track where your will is filed, and who your executor or attorney is, should we need to follow up in the future. We do encourage you to share the relevant portion of your will to ensure that all the details—such as our address and federal ID number—are correct. Your information will be held strictly confidential.

Additionally, we will stay in touch with all legacy donors, ensuring regular communication to express our gratitude and keep you updated on our work. These conversations are key, as we understand that estate plans can change, and we want to ensure that your gift aligns with the areas of our work that mean the most to you.

This two-year challenge program, running now through 2026, encourages donors to act now, rather than putting off these important decisions. Making a bequest is a straightforward and meaningful way to contribute to a cause you care deeply about.

It’s also a flexible form of giving—you can adjust the details over time, and it allows you to make a lasting contribution without affecting your current financial situation.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Legacy Challenge, please call us at 315-779-8240 or email us at thtlt@tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy of conservation for Tug Hill Tomorrow!

Legacy Challenge Bequest Intent Form

Making a gift in your Will

The soft touch of a butterfly, the gentle nudge of a calf, or the smile on a child’s face after seeing their first owl; fleeting moments that we remember for a lifetime.

You'd like to help Tug Hill Tomorrow more, but feel you cannot make a significant gift today. When you leave a gift through your will to Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust your passion lives on. You can help make sure farms and woodlands are conserved, wildlife thrive, and the young people of Tug Hill get out from behind their computers to experience nature in a way that creates a life-long bond into the future.

Join a growing number of people who are ensuring the future of Tug Hill. Your gift will conserve farms and forests and change the lives of many for generations to come. Making a gift in your will is easy to do and will allow you to take care of friends, family and the lands you love in Tug Hill.

How to get started

Please fill out this form, providing as much information as your comfortable with and mail it to

Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust
120 Washington Street
Suite 510
Watertown, NY 13601

Once your form is received, a representative from the Land Trust will contact you.

Why people choose to make a bequest

It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.

It is revocable – you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time, and

It is private – your will is not filed or made public until your death. Should your circumstances change, you can change your will at any time.

Let us know about your designation in your will so that we can thank you, as well.

Tax benefits

Depending on the size of your estate, and if it is subject to estate taxes, your gift could help lower your taxable estate. You won’t receive tax benefits during your lifetime if you make a gift via your Will.

To receive tax benefits during your lifetime you would donate a gift of cash, stock, or life estate.

Questions?

Feel free to call Mark Pacilio, Executive Director, at (315) 779-8240 or email him at mpacilio@tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org.