What Will Your Legacy Be?
Leave a Legacy: For the Valley. For Good.
At the St. Croix Valley Foundation, we believe that legacy isn’t just what you leave behind—it’s the lasting mark you make on the causes and communities you love. Legacy giving is about investing in the future of the St. Croix Valley and creating meaningful impact that grows for generations.
Whether you want to start giving now or plan a gift through your estate, we are here to help you shape a legacy rooted in your values, your story, and your love for this incredible place.
What is Legacy Giving?
Legacy giving invites us to consider two profound questions: What have I left behind? and What lasting mark have I made?
In the context of philanthropy, legacy giving means creating something enduring for future generations. While many of us support dozens of causes throughout our lifetime, a legacy gift often focuses on a few organizations closest to our hearts. These gifts are typically larger than annual contributions and offer the opportunity to make a deeper, more permanent impact.
Legacy gifts reflect your values, passions, and commitment to community—and ensure that those commitments live on.
Why Legacy Giving Matters
Legacy giving is about:
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Making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
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Supporting the causes you care about most now and in the future.
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Creating a reliable source of funding through endowments that support nonprofits year after year.
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Inspiring others to act generously and invest in the St. Croix Valley.
By leaving a legacy, you become part of a larger story—a story of generosity that uplifts people, places, and possibilities across our region.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
Give While Living Start your legacy now. Many donors choose to establish endowed funds during their lifetime so they can:
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See their impact in real time
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Collaborate with nonprofits on shared goals
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Engage family members in the joy of giving
Give Through Your Estate Legacy gifts can also take shape through thoughtful planning for the future. Common estate gift vehicles include:
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Bequests in a will or trust
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Beneficiary designations (IRAs, life insurance, bank accounts)
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Charitable gift annuities or remainder trusts
We work with you and your professional advisors to explore the best options for your goals.
St. Croix Valley Foundation: Your Legacy Partner
As your local community foundation, we are uniquely positioned to help you:
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Craft a giving plan that aligns with your values
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Choose the right fund type (including endowed funds for lasting impact)
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Ensure your gift is managed and distributed with care and integrity
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Connect with local nonprofits and causes that align with your passions
With deep regional knowledge, personalized service, and trusted stewardship, we make legacy giving easy, meaningful, and lasting.
Legacy Donor Spotlight
Her Name Meant Loving-Kindness. Her Legacy Still Does.
Metta Belisle didn’t seek attention for her generosity. Instead, she believed her most powerful gift was planting seeds of compassion that would grow long after she was gone.
Since Metta’s passing last year, her husband, Jon, continues to carry forward the spirit of her life passions through their Donor Advised Fund. The couple had long been intentional about their estate planning and had witnessed their legacy in action throughout the Valley. Jon says that because of that planning, he is confident that “while Metta’s voice has been silenced, her kindness, compassionate care, and environmental interests continue.”
Jon encourages others — especially those who care deeply about a cause — to explore setting up a Donor Advised Fund. “You don’t need to be wealthy. You just need a story, a purpose, and a heart for something bigger than yourself.”
