Join the Birkie Legacy Circle!

Leave a legacy by contributing to the Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner

Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner

The Birkie Legacy Circle is an important program that recognizes all individuals who contribute to the Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner. The Endowment is a crucial part of how the Birkie organization is funded and provides a stable, permanent source of income.

Endowed funds are invested over the long-term and earnings are used to support the Birkie’s greatest needs now and in the future.

Donors who contribute to the Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner are members of The Birkie Legacy Circle. Any outright gift of $1,000 or more, or planned gift to the endowment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, qualifies one for the Birkie Legacy Circle. Donors may make a gift in their own name or in honor of someone else. Legacy Circle Donors who are registered for the Birkie, Korte, Prince Haakon or Open Track will receive a gold Legacy Circle sticker on their bib.

Types of Legacy Circle Endowment Gifts

Endowment gifts include: planned gifts such as a bequest in a will, charitable remainder trust, or outright gifts, such as cash, stock, property, or an IRA required minimum distribution (RMD). Use our Statement of Donor Intent form to let us know how you have included the American Birkebeiner in your estate plan.

A permanent and lasting way for you to support the Birkebeiner’s mission forever, is to contribute to its endowment.

Birkie Endowment Funds to Give to:

Endowment donors who want to support well-recognized and long-standing Birkie needs should donate to a Legacy Fund. Five Legacy Funds have been established:

• The Priority (General) Fund and 50 for 50 Donors
• The First 35 Forerunners
• Bidwell & Engebretson Tusen Takk Volunteer Fund
• The Pierce & Lampman Birkie Trail Fund
• The Schwartz Miller Scholarship Endowment

Or, Endowment donors may want to consider starting their own Legacy Fund. Examples include:

• Recognition of those who have made lasting contributions to the Birkebeiner
• Support of youth groups for travel, training, equipment
• Capital equipment upgrades
• Snow grooming equipment

The Endowment will help design the structure of a Legacy Fund to best fit its overlying purpose.
A minimum donation of $25,000 is needed to establish a Legacy Fund.

After a Legacy Fund is established, additional contributions of any amount are accepted from the larger community of Birkebeiner supporters.

Make a Gift Today

Consider leaving a legacy for yourself or to remember an individual, with an endowment gift to the Birkie, and support the Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner forever!

For more information or help in creating an endowment gift, please contact:

Louise Droessler
Development Director
louise.droessler@birkie.com
608-843-8451

Ben Popp
Executive Director
ben.popp@birkie.com
715-558-3091