Why I Give to Earthjustice

“Since I was young, I’ve felt compassion for the environment and all animals, especially species and habitats that don’t have the power to defend themselves. To see a magnificent valley, a life-giving river, or a wondrous animal endangered by corporate interests and the pursuit of profit hurt my soul, even before I understood anything about the bottom lines and our need for collective responsibility.

“I am recently retired, and behind me is a long career at various nonprofit organizations. I’ve worked for Environmental Action (creators of Earth Day), the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Energy Foundation, and I ran the Brainerd Foundation for nearly 25 years.

“I first became aware of Earthjustice in the 1980s. Having spent three-plus decades in the world of environmental philanthropy, I can confidently say that the best way to help our planet flourish, now and in the future, is by supporting the organization’s legal, policy, and advocacy efforts. Earthjustice truly is best in class – supremely effective and strategic. And I love its tagline: “Because the earth needs a good lawyer.”

“Earthjustice has the greatest environmental legal team ever assembled, and there is no better line of defense for our communities, wildlife, and the natural world. The organization gives me hope, and that is why I’ve included it in my estate plan.

“I also serve on Earthjustice’s national advisory council, and I volunteer as an ambassador for its legacy giving program. As a volunteer, I witness firsthand how Earthjustice diligently strives to keep communities and wild places safe and healthy. From its collaboration with the Standing Rock Sioux to shutter the Dakota Access Pipeline, to its ongoing fight to secure clean air and water rights for all, Earthjustice helps to keep the environment intact.

“Building a peaceful, resilient planet is the most important fight of our time. Over the years, I’ve seen Earthjustice mature in how it faces this challenge. It has become more effective at communicating its mission, sharing its victories, promoting its partners, and inspiring the public to action.

“By including Earthjustice in my estate plan, I am supporting the organization’s long-term strategies. Many of its cases last years, if not decades, and the need for Earthjustice’s legal expertise throughout our country only increases. Having legacy gifts on the horizon to fund this work is critical. When it comes to protecting our environment and all that depends on it, we can’t be shortsighted. We can’t just look at the next five years — we must look at the next 50 and beyond.

“Earthjustice will always be relentless in defending the future of this magnificent planet. I like to believe that this promise puts fear in the hearts of polluting industries because they know Earthjustice will never give up, no matter how grueling the battle or how long it takes.

“I review my estate plans every 10 years to make sure they’re pertinent and up to date. While Earthjustice has been in my plans for years, with the most recent revision, I realized I wanted to put the organization front and center. I have seven reasons why I think Earthjustice deserves to be prioritized:

1. Earthjustice brings its legal mind to bear on all three branches of our government (judicial, administrative, and legislative).
2. The organization picks and chooses legal battles carefully, resulting in a long track record of major victories – victories that set precedents and strengthen environmental laws.
3. Earthjustice represents communities free of charge and sticks with cases until the very end, however long the battle.
4. Earthjustice focuses on more than litigation. It leverages policy, public communication, and long-term strategies to defend the earth and all living things.
5. The organization maintains excellent relationships with its clients and decision-makers.
6. Earthjustice offers expertise regularly to the international nonprofit legal community.
7. Earthjustice has fire in its belly. It is not deterred from speaking truth to power.

“I would give to Earthjustice no matter what, but the Never Rest Legacy Challenge incentivized me to act swiftly in creating my estate gift. I was also compelled to increase the amount because I knew I could unlock a significant matching donation, money that will help fund Earthjustice’s important work today.

“No organization is better managed or more capable of addressing our environmental concerns, which will be with us for generations. The legacy challenge made me feel so grateful that I could include Earthjustice in my estate plan! Anyone who creates a legacy gift for the organization makes a powerful move to promote the prosperity of our planet, now and long into the future.”