Richard John Neuhaus Society

“Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. . . . Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

— Matthew 13:5–8

The Richard John Neuhaus

Society

So the parable reads. The difference between the two plants does not present itself right away; indeed, the seeds on rocky ground immediately sprang up. What these seeds lacked was not immediately apparent. It was below the surface: good soil and deep roots.

Richard John Neuhaus cultivated FIRST THINGS in good soil. Many promising organizations spring up, but few survive the scorching sun. Not so with FIRST THINGS. Father Neuhaus bequeathed an inestimable intellectual legacy to FIRST THINGS, a harvest that we continue to reap today. Yet his legacy also lives on through the profoundly generous material bequest he left.

FIRST THINGS continues to honor the legacy of Father Neuhaus through the Richard John Neuhaus Society, which in turn recognizes those who include FIRST THINGS in their will or estate plans. Estate gifts are a vital component of good organizational soil: They facilitate long-term strategic planning and make possible effective growth and expansion into new program areas. It was Father Neuhaus’s vision that enabled FIRST THINGS to thrive beyond his years; yours can make possible our continued growth and influence for many more.

If you have already included FIRST THINGS in your will or estate plans, please notify Carter Skeel, director of development, at cskeel@firstthings.com or 212627-1985. With your permission, we would be pleased to recognize you as a member of the Richard John Neuhaus Society.

If you are considering a bequest or other planned gift to FIRST THINGS, please reach out to Carter to discuss your options, some of which are outlined on the following page.

You can use any number of tax-advantaged financial tools to support the Institute on Religion and Public Life and advance its work, while at the same time returning benefits to you and your family:

Donate assets that you no

longer need or want, such as an art collection, a second home, land, or a life insurance policy.

Donate appreciated

stock in lieu of cash gifts to the Institute on Religion and Public Life. These gifts are not only taxdeductible at the stock’s current value level, but they can also enable you to lower your capital gains liabilities.

Make a gift from your

IRA. The IRA charitable rollover provision was made permanent at the end of 2015, so donors 70.5 years and older can give up to $100,000 to charities from their IRAs tax-free.

Realize tax advantages

by selling property to the Institute on Religion and Public Life at a charitable discount or by deeding your home to the Institute while you continue to live there. Establish a charitable

gift annuity that benefits the Institute on Religion and Public Life. Charitable gift annuities guarantee a fixed income for life for you or up to two annuitants, and they come with several tax advantages.

Make the Institute on Religion and Public Life

a beneficiary of your will, revocable trust, or retirement plan—costing you nothing during your lifetime. Those who remember the Institute in their wills become members of the Richard John Neuhaus Society.

It is important to obtain the advice and assistance of your financial adviser and/or attorney. Please consult with a trusted professional to work out the details and to learn about other planned giving vehicles. If you or your adviser have any questions, contact Carter Skeel, director of development, at cskeel@firstthings.com or 212627-1985. We are privileged to recognize the following members of the

Richard John Neuhaus

Society

n Anonymous (4) n Joseph Bennett n Anthony Black n Charles Burke† n John A. and Ann C. Bushnell n Mr. John F. Cannon n B. G. and Kay† Carter n Mr. Arnold J. Conrad n Nina Cunningham n Charles R. Disque n Robert R. Ford n Kay Guiles† n Harry L. Hogan† n James Jereb† n Ms. Cynthia Kase n Bo and Carole Matthews n The Honorable Alonzo L.

McDonald† n Ann E. C. R. Miko n Rosalind Mohnsen n Richard John Neuhaus† n Elizabeth A. Nolan n Mr. Edward Nowak n Thomas C. Oden† n Maxine E. Poinsatte† n Francis and Jennifer Ruffing n Keith L. Smith n Keith D. Stottlemyer n Joseph A. Swanson n William Ronald Toth n Mr. Karl von Bock†