Legacy Friends of the Northland share intent to support the Foundation in their estate plans

More than a decade ago, a national public awareness campaign urged Americans to LEAVE A LEGACY® by making a charitable bequest to a nonprofit organization. The public campaign is no longer as visible, but the movement to leave a lasting mark on the world through a legacy gift is still alive and well.

In 2012 following the Northland Foundation’s 25th year in operation, the Foundation began quietly reaching out to a small number of longtime friends and supporters to gauge their interest in including the Foundation in their estate plans. The response was both thoughtful and overwhelmingly positive.

A total of seven couples and one individual have formally stated their intent to make a planned gift to the Northland Foundation. This leadership group comprises the “charter members” of Legacy Friends of the Northland and each has agreed to lend their names and support as the Foundation makes this giving option public.

“We established Legacy Friends of the Northland Foundation to celebrate and appreciate those who share our vision to ensure the Northland Foundation is a lasting resource to the region for years to come,” said Diane Rauschenfels, the current Board Chair.

Fayne Copeland and her husband, Dave Speck, are among the first Legacy Friends.  Fayne is the former Executive Director of the Bovey-Coleraine Youth Center located in the rural northeastern Minnesota community of Bovey-Coleraine. In her seven years in that position, she was also the KIDS PLUS Coordinator working extensively with the children, youth and families in that community.  

“The Northland Foundation’s KIDS PLUS Program packs a lot of value for the young people by giving them the tools and experiences that can lead them on the path to success as adults.  During my time with the program, through KIDS PLUS, I was able to positively impact the lives of more than 900 youth and help them to build a strong foundation for their lives,” stated Fayne. 

“The value of KIDS PLUS programming in Bovey/Coleraine and surrounding areas was so great that Dave and I wanted to leave a legacy that could continue that investment into the future.” —Fayne Copeland

Although Fayne and Dave have since moved to another part of the country, Fayne has continued to stay close to many of the young people she mentored as youth, even as they grew into adults with families of their own. She has stayed connected to the Northland Foundation, and even flew to Duluth for the KIDS PLUS 20th Anniversary dinner in 2011.

“We strongly believe in the mission and value of KIDS PLUS and we want to leave a legacy that will support the continued mission of serving the youth of northeastern Minnesota,” Fayne said. 

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If you are considering a legacy gift, we would be happy to speak with you and answer your questions. If you have already included the Northland Foundation in your will or some other planned giving tool, please let us know or submit a nonbinding Intent Form so that your intention can be acknowledged.

Visit our giving website for more information about supporting the people, businesses, and communities of northeastern Minnesota.