Given the economic challenges we face, a tax deductible gift of any size to NAEYC’s Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign is all the more important to our ability to create innovative programs and initiatives for our members in the early childhood education field, and most importantly, for our young children.  And it’s a perfect way to let the early childhood educator in your life know how much you appreciate the work he or she does on behalf of children.

The growing body of research demonstrating the benefits of high quality programs for young children is creating enormous new opportunities for advancing NAEYC’s mission to serve the needs of our children and the early childhood profession. This research helps us inform public opinion, teacher education, government policies, and program practices. Our leadership in these areas will influence and shape our field for years to come. More important, it will benefit our nation’s children.

To ensure our organization is prepared to make the most of these opportunities, NAEYC has launched the Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign – an annual giving program that provides NAEYC leaders, members, early childhood education advocates, and others a way to support and advance the field of early childhood education. 

Ways of Giving

Your gift can truly make a difference in the lives of young children. For that reason, we invite you to make a contribution today as an investment in the future of the Association and the early childhood profession, and in educators who will help many more young children learn and grow.

Honor and Memorial Giving

Gifts to the Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign can be made in honor of or in memory of a colleague, mentor, teacher, family member, or friend. It is a thoughtful and meaningful way to recognize service, leadership, retirement, and volunteer service. NAEYC members made gifts in honor of their staff and colleagues in lieu of a holiday gift or to celebrate special people during the Week of the Young Child celebrations. 

Be certain when making a gift in honor or memory of that you include the complete names and addresses of honorees or their loved ones so appropriate acknowledgements can be made.

Monthly Giving Program

Become a member of the NAEYC monthly giving program by authorizing a monthly credit card charge. Complete the contribution form to join.  For information on how to make a gift of stock, please contact Kathleen Cassidy Donato, CFRE, at NAEYC at 1-800-424-2460 x8824 or via email at kdonato@naeyc.org.

Circle of Leadership Society

Circle of Leadership Society Donors who contribute $1000 or more annually are recognized as members of the Circle of Leadership Society.  Society members will be invited to special events, be listed prominently in the Honor Roll Listing of Donors, and receive regular campaign updates.

The Legacy Society

NAEYC is pleased to announce the creation of the Legacy Society to recognize individuals who have informed the Association that they have included it in their wills or estate plans. Two of our Charter members share why they chose to support NAEYC in this way.

“As a former NAEYC Governing Board member, I knew the importance of having additional resources to assist the board and staff in achieving our goals. That’s why I decided to provide a bequest that will help NAEYC continue to be a strong voice for early childhood education and will provide resources for future generations of NAEYC leaders to address issues they will face.”

Jan McCarthy
NAEYC President, 1978-1980

“After providing for family members in my will, I wanted to also remember some organizations and institutions that played an important part in my professional life. My involvement with NAEYC, which dates back to its earlier time as NANE (National Association for Nursery Education), served me well throughout my more than 30 years teaching at the University of Texas-Austin.”

Phyllis Richards
NANE/NAEYC Governing Board Member, 1961-1965

For those who might be interested in including NAEYC in their wills and estate plans, here is the official language to use:

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a tax-exempt organization, located at 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, the sum of $_______ or percentage of (cash, real or personal property herein described) to be used for the general purpose of the National Association for the Education of Young Children at the discretion of its board of directors.”

For information on how to become a Charter Member of the Legacy Society, contact Kathleen Cassidy Donato at kdonato@naeyc.org or 1-800-424-2460, x8824.

Programs Supported by Lasting Legacy Donations

Building a Lasting Legacy Scholarship Fund

NAEYC will award six registration scholarships to the June 2012 National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development conference in Indianapolis, Indiana and this November, will award 10 conference registration scholarships for members to attend the 2012 NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. These merit-based scholarships are generously funded by contributions made to the Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign and are designed to give future leaders the opportunity to develop skills needed to advance the field of early childhood education.

Legacy Leader Fellows Program

The purpose of the Legacy Leader Fellows Program is to improve the quality of early education and care services through the creation of a cadre of emerging leaders who will serve as role models, advocates, and leaders in their communities and the early childhood education field. 

The first class of three fellows was selected in early 2010.

This leadership development program is made possible due to contributions to the Building a Lasting Legacy Campaign.

 Click on the Donate Now button and make a gift online. Complete the contribution form and send it to NAEYC, P.O. Box 96577, Washington, DC 20077-7255.