Friends of the Forest Preserve District
Be a Friend to Your DuPage Forest Preserves
The Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing ways to help care for DuPage forest preserves.
Every year gifts from numerous individuals, companies, and organizations help the Forest Preserve District carry out its mission to maintain nearly 26,000 acres, over 60 forest preserves, 175 miles of trails, 31 lakes, and seven education centers.
We are grateful you’re reflecting on the forest preserves and your experiences by connecting a gift to a preserve, project, or program that’s had an effect on you.
Choose What Your Donation Supports
Greatest Needs in Forest Preserves
Your gift will support habitat restoration, wildlife preservation, and environmental sustainability.
DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center Campaign
Your gift will advance wildlife rehabilitation, purchase medical equipment, and enhance education.
Make a Gift
With your tax-deductible donation of $100 or more, you'll become a part of the Ambassadors Circle, which offers recognition (if desired) and forest preserve experiences based on your level of support.
The Friends accepts financial and in-kind donations from individuals, corporations and groups that support DuPage forest preserves, programs and projects.
Levels of Support
- Recognition in the Friends’ annual report
- Recognition in the Friends’ annual report
- Recognition in the Conservationist
- Invitation to a special behind-the-scenes program
- Engraved leaf at District headquarters (for memorial or tribute gift, upon request)
- Recognition in the Friends’ annual report
- Recognition in the Conservationist
- Invitation to a special behind-the-scenes program
- Engraved leaf at District headquarters (for memorial or tribute gift, upon request)
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center Master Plan Improvements Project Campaign donor: Grand opening celebration invitation and recognition on donor wall (for one year)
- Recognition in the Friends’ annual report
- Recognition in the Conservationist
- Invitation to a special behind-the-scenes program
- Engraved leaf at District headquarters (for memorial or tribute gift, upon request)
- Recognition in Friends’ marketing
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center Master Plan Improvements Project Campaign donor: Grand opening celebration invitation and recognition on donor wall (for one year)
- Recognition in the Friends’ annual report
- Recognition in the Conservationist
- Invitation to a special behind-the-scenes program
- Recognition in Friends’ marketing
- Check presentation photo opportunity
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center Master Plan Improvements Project Campaign Donor: Grand opening celebration invitation and recognition on donor wall (for one year)
Individual donor's gifts at $2,500 or more are afforded our Community Partner benefits.
Your Impact to Benefit the Forest Preserve District
Where Your Gifts Made a Difference in 2023
Ways to Give
Methods
A gift of cash is the simplest, most convenient option and qualifies for the maximum allowable tax deduction. You can donate with your credit card, or with cash, check or credit.
Make your check payable to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District (or Friends FPDDC) and mail to:
Partnership & Philanthropy
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
Gifts of appreciated stocks and bonds allow you to deduct the current market value as a charitable deduction for the fair-market value of the stock.
A gift of life insurance allows you to make a generous gift at relatively low cost. By designating the Friends as a beneficiary of your policy, you receive an immediate tax deduction and eliminate the proceeds of the policy from your estate. All premium payments thereafter will also be tax-deductible, subject to IRS limitations. You can also transfer ownership of a paid-up policy or donate your insurance policy dividends.
Some businesses match gifts from an employee or the employee's spouse, doubling or tripling the value of the donation. To maximize the benefit, check with your employer about matching-gift programs, and contact the Friends if you need any documentation.
Gifts in Memory or Tribute
Honor a friend or loved one when you make a gift to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District.
Memorials or Tributes
Make your memorial or tribute gift online by first choosing your donation frequency and amount. Select “My gift is in memory/honor of” and enter the name of the individual or group you are honoring. In the “Gift from” field, please enter your name or the name of those you represent in making this gift.
Make your memorial or honorary gift by check to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and inidcate the individual your gift is in memory or honor of in its "memo" line. Mail to:
Partnership & Philanthropy
Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
Many families choose to request memorial gifts be made to the Forest Preserve District for a loved one. We hope one of the following suggestions will be helpful with your planning.
"It was (loved one’s name) wish that memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County."
"In remembrance of (loved one’s name) life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. "
"The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in (loved one’s name) memory."
Please contact us if you have questions or other needs.
Benches in the forest preserves create space for visitors to pause, rest, and reflect along a scenic trail. Your tribute bench donation will support the Forest Preserve District’s bench master plan. Locations are established by the District and subject to availability.
Leaving Your Abundance to Nature
The Friends invites you to leave your own meaningful mark on the DuPage forest preserves by including the foundation in your will. You can change your bequest or trust designation at any time.
If you are interested in a planned gift, we'd advise you to speak to your personal tax and financial advisor and potentially your legal counsel about its benefits.
Types of Planned Gifts
Gifts by will or bequest are not subject to estate or inheritance taxes, so you can ensure your testamentary gift will have the maximum benefit for the forest preserves. You can contribute a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your assets or the remainder of your estate.
Consider naming the Friends as a beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement plan. If you are of a certain age and do not need your entire IRA income, you can take advantage of the charitable rollover provision, which allows annual tax-free charitable gifts of up to $100,000 per person directly from qualified IRAs. The distributions will count toward your annual required minimum, but you will not be taxed for the income you transfer, which can help lower the amount you own in taxes.
By establishing an endowment, you can be assured your charitable intentions will be followed for generations to come. Distributions from this type of permanent fund can provide substantial annual support for DuPage forest preserves in perpetuity.
Friends Board Meetings
Friends Board Meeting Dates
- Friends Board Meeting 09-24-24
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 08-07-24
- Friends Finance Committee Meeting 07-23-24
- Friends Board Meeting 07-23-24
- Friends Board Meeting 05-21-24
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 05-08-24
- Friends Board Meeting 03-26-24
- Friends Finance Committee Meeting 03-26-24
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 03-06-24
- Friends Board Meeting 01-23-24
- Friends Board Meeting 11-14-23
- Friends Development Committee Meeting-10-24-23
- Friends Board Meeting 09-26-23
- Friends Board Meeting 07-25-23
- Friends Special Meeting 07-15-23
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 06-20-23
- Friends Board Meeting 05-23-23
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 04-18-23
- Friends Board Meeting 03-21-23
- Friends Development Committee Meeting 02-21-23
- Friends Board Meeting 01-24-23
- Friends Board Meeting 11-15-22
- Friends Board Meeting 09-27-22
- Friends Board Board Meeting 07-26-22
Our Board of Directors & Staff
The Friends of the Forest Preserve District is governed by a volunteer board of directors. These individuals are leaders in our DuPage community and support the Forest Preserve District's mission.
Board of Directors
Chair Bob Watt
Vice Chair Mike Dyer
Treasurer Ashley Guest
Secretary Joseph Suchecki
Ex-Officio Member Jeff Gahris
Member Diane Addante
Member Brian Battle
Member Larry C. Larson
Member Tom Murphy
Member Carl Schultz
Member David Stang
Member Jeanette Wells
Staff
Executive Director Jeannine Kannegiesser
Our Finances & Governance
Friends Annual Reports
Friends 990 Reports
Friends Policies
Be Our Partner
Our community partners program is designed for organizations, clubs, and businesses interested in giving back and enhancing the quality of life for all DuPage residents. Align your mission and values with recognition opportunities based on your level of generosity.
With Special Thanks to Our Partners
G. Carl Ball Family Foundation
Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation, Inc.
BNSF Railway Foundation
Chicago Region Trees Initiative
ComEd/Exelon
The Conservation Foundation
CNH Industrial Foundation
Mary J. Demmon Private Foundation
Domtar
Edward Jones — Financial Advisor: Mike Dyer
DuPage Foundation
Ecolab Foundation
Fidelity Charitable
Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation
International
Molex
Nicor
nora fleming
Republic Bank
Schwab Charitable
Stantec
Target
TC Energy
Wheaton Bank & Trust
Adopt a Blanding's Turtle
Adopt a Blanding’s turtle, and your donation will help provide care for a hatchling born as part of the Forest Preserve District’s head-start program.
"I give back to the Forest Preserve District, because I love nature. Other people can donate to the Friends of the Forest Preserve District for the same reasons I do: To make certain that nature is maintained, accessible, and here for future generations."
Larry C. Larson
Naperville
Friends of the Forest Preserve District
To advance the vision of the Forest Preserve District through philanthropic endeavors
Annual Donors
Ambassador Circle Donors
Community Partners
General Info
Partnership & Philanthropy
Friends of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-871-6400
fundraising@dupageforest.org
