Supporting Keewaydin

Donate

Ways to give

The Keewaydin Annual Fund

The 2025 Keewaydin Foundation operations budget assumes $875,000 in Annual Fund donations. 

Each year, The Keewaydin Foundation relies on the Annual Fund to help cover a variety of expenses related to programs, equipment, maintenance, and scholarships at each of the camps. Your gift to the Annual Fund has an immediate positive effect, helping to sustain our camps and make a lasting impact on our campers. 

Giving Levels

The excellence of Keewaydin’s programs is due in large part to our community of donors whose gifts to the Annual Fund are essential to maintaining our operating budget. 

We appreciate each gift, no matter the size, because each donation shows the importance of the enduring Keewaydin way.  All donors who contribute to the annual fund are acknowledged for their support (unless instructed otherwise) in the Northwest Wind, our yearly annual report and alumni magazine. 

Friend of Keewaydin
Up to $99
Bow Paddlers
$100+
Stern Paddlers
$250+
Wannigan Club
$500+
Paddle Club
$1,000+
Canoe Club
$2,500+
Tripper’s Circle
$5,000+
Director’s Circle
$10,000+
Leadership Circle
$25,000+
Keewaydin Society
$50,000+

You may chose to designate your Annual Fund gift to be used specifically for currant-use financial aid for campers who otherwise would be unable to afford camp. 

The Roy Waters Annual Scholarships Fund Provides camper scholarships for those with demonstrated financial need at Keewaydin Temagami. The fund was established in honor of Roy A. Waters, a legendary Keewaydin Temagami staffman who dedicated 52 years of service to both Keewaydin Temagami and Keewaydin Dunmore.

The General Breed Annual Scholarships Fund provides annual scholarship assistance to campers with demonstrated need at Keewaydin Dunmore and Sonagdeewin. The fund was established in honor of Stephen A. Breed, Director of Keewaydin Dunmore from 1913-1920 and Associate Director from 1920-1942.

 

You may chose to designate your Annual Fund gift for a specific camp or program. These would include the three summer camps: Songadeewin, Keewaydin Dunmore, and Keewaydin Temagami; the Keewaydin Environmental Education Center (KEEC); or Ojibway Family Lodge.

You may choose to direct your Annual Fund gift to be used where the need is greatest. These unrestricted gifts allow the Keewaydin Foundation to apply the donation to any area of need. 

make an impact

Paddling Forward Campaign

This campaign is about the careful stewardship of Keewaydin and all that it encompasses; and it is about looking forward to ensure that future generations have access to the deeply meaningful and formative experiences that so many generations of campers have cherished for over a century! 

In an ever-changing world, it is critical to look ahead strategically. The Paddling Forward Campaign seeks to address four key priorities, to ensure Keewaydin’s future. 

Consecutive Yearly Giving to
the Annual Fund

Green Canoe Society

The Green Canoe Society recognizes donors who have shown their steadfast and enduring support of the Keewaydin Foundation by giving to the Annual Fund for three consecutive years. Members of the Green Canoe Society help keep Keewaydin strong. Earn your canoe pin by contributing to the Keewaydin Annual Fund for three consecutive years or more to become a member of the Green Canoe Society! Consistency Counts!

Monthly recurring Giving to the Annual Fund

Trailblazers Society

Trailblazers are donors who help lead the way by setting up a recurring monthly gift of any amount, which provides steady and reliable support to Keewaydin’s programs. You can choose your gift amount, and contributions are deducted each month via electronic check, debit or credit card! 

 

Ways to give

Keewaydin Foundation Endowment

Keewaydin’s endowment is made up of 42 individual endowed funds. The majority of these funds provide tuition for campers who otherwise would be unable to attend camp (roughly 96% of the endowment is restricted to scholarships), while others are reserve funds or funds which support the operations of specific programs.

Establish an

Endowed Fund

Endowed funds support Keewaydin, campers, and staff now and well into the future.  Gifts of $150,000 or more can establish an endowed, named fund that will generate annual-interest income for scholarships or other specific needs at any of Keewaydin’s camps, the Keewaydin Environmental Education Center, or Ojibway Family Lodge. Endowed funds help ensure Keewaydin’s financial strength, provide scholarships for campers, cover operations costs, and protect against emergencies. Gifts to the endowment can be paid via pledge for a pledge period of up to five years. 

For more information about establishing an endowed fund, please contact Mary Welz, at mary@keewaydin.org or at (802) 352-4247

Contribute to

Existing Endowed Funds

You may make a contribution of any amount to any of the 42 endowed funds already in place. If you would like to contribute to a current endowed fund, please use the link below or contact Mary Welz at mary@keewaydin.org or at (802) 352-4247

Ways to Give

Planned Giving / Legacy Gifts

You can make a powerful, lasting impact on Keewaydin that costs nothing during your lifetime. Provide support in perpetuity for the life-changing experiences Keewaydin provides to children by including the Keewaydin Foundation in your will or estate plans, or by naming Keewaydin as the beneficiary of your IRA, retirement funds, or insurance policy. Donors who include Keewaydin in their estate plans become members of the Silver Paddle Society and are recognized in The Northwest Wind and on plaques at each camp.

Ways To Give

Giving Methods

Donors to Keewaydin may choose from a variety of giving vehicles, from an online donation that has an immediate impact to long-term gifts such as a multi-year pledge or estate planning.  For more information about making a gift using a vehicle of your chosing, please contact Director of Development Mary Welz, who would be glad to assist you.

Keewaydin is a registered charity in both the United States and Canada.  All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Gifts made by personal check or through our online giving portal are the easiest and most immediate way to support Keewaydin. Gifts can be made online via credit card, electronic check, Paypal, ApplePay, or GooglePay.  

Checks should be made payable to “Keewaydin Foundation” at 500 Rustic Ln., Salisubry, VT 0569.

Gifting appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can be a double win for you. You will receive a charitable deduction for the donation, and you will also avoid capital gains taxes. You will receive credit for the full fair market value of the stock, but the cost to you is its original purchase price. Gifts from your brokerage account can be made electronically.

To ensure that we are able to acknowledge your gift in a timely manner, please notify the Keewaydin development staff in advance if you plan to make a gift of appreciated securities. For more information, please call the Foundation Office at (802) 352-4247, or email our Director of Development Mary Welz at mary@keewaydin.org and we can provide wire transfer instructions. 

A multi-year pledge is a great vehicle that allows you to make a larger gift and to affirm your ongoing commitment to Keewaydin. Payments can be made over a period of up to five years and can be automatically set up from your checking or credit card account, on a schedule that works for you.

You may transfer ownership of an existing cash value life insurance policy to Keewaydin and receive a charitable income tax deduction once you surrender the policy. Keewaydin will use the proceeds for its highest priorities, as established by its Board of Trustees.

Naming the Keewaydin Foundation as the beneficiary of your will or trust is a simple way to leave a lasting legacy to your beloved camp.  You may designate a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate.  

We would like to recognize you for your generosity during your lifetime, so please notify us of your intention.

Naming Keewaydin as the full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy or retirement accounts is a simple way to ensure support for Keewaydin into the future.  This approach also relieves your heirs of any income and estate tax due on retirement accounts.

In exchange for your irrevocable gift of cash, low-yield CDs, stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you will receive an income stream for life.  At the time of your death, Keewaydin receives the interest income from the remainder of your gift.  If desired, you can postpone when your income stream starts with a deferred charitable gift annuity. Interest rates are established by the American Council on Gift Annuities and vary from 4.4% to 9% depending on the age of the annuitants. Annuities can be issued for one or two people. 

For more information, please contact Mary Welz at mary@keewaydin.org.

Keewaydin Foundation

The Development Team

The Keewaydin Foundation Development Office exists to sustain Keewaydin’s excellent programs while helping facilitate the desire of our alumni, families, and friends to contribute to their success.  It is through the generosity of our donors that our camps are able to thrive and provide exceptional programs for all, including to those who otherwise would be unable to afford tuition.  We care deeply about Keewaydin and are thrilled to be the conduit by which others who also care deeply can help steward Keewaydin’s programs.  

We are happy to assist in any way we can, so if you would like more information about donating to the Keewaydin Foundation or have any questions, please call (802) 352-4449 or send us an email directly. 

Mary Welz
Director of Development

mary@keewaydin.org

John Frazier
Associate Director of Development

john@keewaydin.org

Kirsten Leavestrom
Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator

kirsten@keewaydin.org

Sandy Chivers
Development Associate

sandy@keewaydin.org