What is the RJN Society?
First Things is built to endure. With loyal readership and a growing base of charitable support, First Things is flourishing. But the roots go deeper: to the foundation that Richard John Neuhaus laid from the very beginning and upon which he continued to build until his death in 2009.
Father Neuhaus positioned First Things to thrive in a world that is very different from the world of its founding in 1990. Our task is to build upon his foundation to prepare First Things to thrive in a new generation that may be more different still.
The intellectual legacy of Father Neuhaus is obvious to all who read, heard, or knew him. Less well-known are the other visionary aspects of his legacy, including his careful development of First Things as an institution and the profoundly generous charitable bequest that he left to First Things upon his passing. We continue to reap the benefits of his vision today.
Through the Richard John Neuhaus Society, we honor our founder’s rich legacy and invite you to partner with us in advancing his vision in a new chapter of growth at First Things.
More than a decade after his death, Father Neuhaus’ legacy continues to benefit First things. By making a planned gift to support First things, yours can too.
The first things, the permanent things, exist only in Tradition—the continuous handing down of the things that matter. What could be a more fitting way to participate in Tradition than by making a legacy to its preeminent carrier, First things, to help ensure its handing down into times not our own? First Things is not just for us now, while we’re here.”
–ED NOWAK, RJN SOCIETY MEMBER
Why make a pledge?
Planned giving is no one’s idea of a small-talk topic. For one, it reminds us of the fate that awaits us all. On this side of glory, there is also the often-complex matter of planning one’s estate.
Neither is any match for readers of First Things. As a religious magazine of ideas, First Things does not shy away from existential questions. Indeed, we chose “Death and Mourning” as the topic for our August 2022 First Things Intellectual Retreat. Similarly, we trust that our readers take seriously the responsibility to be good stewards of what we have been given, during but also beyond our earthly lives.
Those are the challenges. There are also substantial benefits. As a practical matter, planned gifts can confer significant tax benefits to you and your family. Exploring different planned giving options is an exercise in good stewardship. In addition, giving through one’s estate expands the size and scope of charitable possibilities exponentially. Relative to the amount you set aside for annual charitable giving, consider how much larger the sum total of your assets is, even after you secure the future of your loved ones and make other necessary provisions. Planned giving enables you to make a transformative gift to advance the mission and voice of First Things to a new generation.
Since I discovered First Things a dozen or so years ago at a coffee shop, it has been my great pleasure to learn about and keep up with topics not normally included in parish adult faith formation. My friends might consider me somewhat cerebral, but my head is the gateway to my heart, so I’ve been greatly blessed and encouraged spiritually by being a subscriber.
A few years ago when I was revising my trust, I prayerfully decided to dedicate 20 percent to charitable causes. I would encourage those in a position to do so to pray about this as well.
When I called about pledging a percentage to First things, I was told this would induct me into the Richard John Neuhaus Society. Even though I had not expected to gain any notice, it’s nice to know that one’s intentions are appreciated on this side of eternity.
–CYNTHIA KASE, RJN SOCIETY MEMBER
