Contributing to Conserve Coldwater

by Jim Cantrill, Development Committee Chair

Across our nation, members of Trout Unlimited regularly take the time and effort to restore and protect coldwater fisheries. For some, it means putting their waders in the water to restore habitat suitable for trout populations, teaching others the ecosystem services in their home waters, or actively promoting the wise use of our shared natural resources. However, a greater number of citizens and organizations, perhaps by dint of other commitments to family or employment, find the best way they can contribute to TU is through financial support. Indeed, without those ongoing donations, our nonprofit organization would cease to exist, either at the local or national levels.

In Michigan, the spawning bed of TU more than six decades ago, we are blessed by abundant coldwater resources and a truly generous contingent of donors. Such was even true during the height of the recent pandemic, where our members contributed to projects and professional staffing of the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited (Michigan TU) as well as to their local TU chapters. Consider the profile of financial support the statewide organization realized in FY 2021-2022: • Individual contributions beyond annual dues— $16,576. • Restricted contributions for projects (river stewards)—$1,500. • Corporate grants—$4,579. • Bequests from or memorials to Lives WellLived—$6,501. • Purchase of Michigan TU merchandise—$254. • Unrestricted contributions from TU chapters in Michigan—$14,900. • Donations to Michigan TU’s Tributary and Aquifer Clubs—$140,900.

All told, those donations of hard, coldwater cash exceeded the Council’s modest annual fundraising target of $152,250 by over 22%. Considering that Michigan TU still achieved most of its on-the-water projects, that was an amazing accomplishment, especially in light of COVID and rising inflationary pressures!

While Michigan TU is in the strongest position financially in many years, our talented executive director and aquatic biologist will continue to need you support so that they have the resources to continue advocating for your local chapters and manage large-scale projects across the state. But there is much work that still needs to be done. So, as you journey through 2022 and beyond, please keep the financial needs of your home chapter and the statewide organization in mind. There are so many ways you may contribute to the “One TU” cause. Such as: • Invest in your home waters by sending even a token cash donation, which can significantly impact coldwater resources. For some of our members, gifting appreciated securities entitles them to both an income tax deduction and an exemption from capital gains. For others, qualified charitable distribution of pretax funds saved by an IRA makes good sense as it counts toward the minimum required distribution and still achieves relief from income taxes. And anyone can join the growing ranks of kind-hearted friends and families who have established a memorial gift as a lasting tribute to those who, as Robert Travers once penned, “love the environs where trout are found.” • If you are at that stage in your life, it is also time to plan for the future and seal a coldwater legacy for future generations by turning to a range of attractive options. Of course, everyone should have a will or living trust that lets them decide where they want their assets to go when the day comes to lay beside still waters for a final time. In particular, consider establishing a charitable lead trust wherein you can preserve an inheritance for your loved ones. Individuals with remaining retirement plan assets can also ease the tax burden on heirs by reserving some or all of that residual for Michigan TU and/or a local chapter. Even before the end of your season on Earth, you can invest in a charitable remainder unitrust or a charitable remainder annuity trust and yet still realize lifetime returns. And let us not forget the possibility of designating TU as a beneficiary of one’s life insurance payout if, in the end, they have become a solitary pilgrim searching for that next pocket of cold, life-giving water.

I hope you do not forget the past as you consider the present and plan for the future of coldwater conservation in Michigan. Importantly, I urge you to discuss various charitable contributions to local chapters or Michigan TU with your financial advisor, as well as review more detailed information on options at Michigan TU Planned Giving.pdf (michigantu.org). Thank you for all you do on behalf of “One TU.”