The Richard John Neuhaus Society honors the legacy of our founder by recognizing readers who have included First Things in their will or estate plans. To review our most recent Richard John Neuhaus Society brochure, please click here.

Richard John Neuhaus was a visionary founder. From the start, he established First Things to outlast his own tenure as editor. Thirty-two years later, it is clear that he succeeded. Beyond this institutional and intellectual legacy, Neuhaus also gave First Things a sizeable material bequest: a significant vote of confidence in the magazine and institution that he had founded nearly twenty years earlier. 

Through the Richard John Neuhaus Society, we invite First Things supporters to offer a similar vote of confidence by leaving a legacy gift to First Things. Please note: You can make a planned gift without being publicly recognized as a member of the Richard John Neuhaus Society. The Society is a small, voluntary expression of our gratitude to those who entrust us with such gifts.

First Things is equipped to receive a variety of planned gifts, including:

• A charitable gift annuity, which can be established through the Institute’s CGA partner, the National Christian Foundation
• Distributions from a life insurance policy or retirement account
• A bequest of a percentage of your estate (“I give, devise, and bequeath the residue of my estate, real and personal, as follows: __ percent (%) thereof shall be distributed absolutely to the Institute on Religion and Public Life, New York, NY.”)
• A bequest of a designated dollar amount (“I give and bequeath the sum of __________ dollars ($___________) to the Institute on Religion and Public Life, New York, NY.”) 
• A bequest of a particular asset (“I give to the Institute on Religion and Public Life, New York, NY, all of my right, title, and interest in...”)

Each of these giving vehicles can provide significant tax benefits to you as a donor while investing transformative resources in the future growth and influence of First Things. Please consult your financial adviser or tax attorney on the best structure and giving vehicle for your planned gift. Then contact Carter Skeel, Director of Institutional Advancement, at cskeel@firstthings.com or 212-627-1985 to discuss your intended gift.