Planned Giving

Ruth Allison Lilly Society

The Ruth Allison Lilly Society was established in honor and recognition of those who support The Children's Museum by creating a provision in their estate and financial plans to benefit this important educational and cultural institution. Such gifts are invested; the returns are used to provide special programs and educational opportunities, and to fund the ongoing annual costs necessary to operate The Children's Museum.

If you have made a provision in your will or trust to benefit The Children's Museum or if you plan to do so, please inform us of your generosity.

Estate Planning Inspires Museum Gift

"Ours is a modest gift, but we all have an obligation to give something. If everyone did that, it would make a big contribution." — Julie Scott

With four young children, Julie Scott's days are filled with lots of decisions. What's for dinner? Which day care situation is the best? How many bedtime stories before lights out? Yet Scott and her husband, Stephen, took the time from their hectic schedules and decided to arrange for a planned gift to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

While most people think making a planned gift is something only senior citizens do, the couple, who are in their thirties, opted to do this as part of their estate planning to provide for their young children. "We were thinking about family estate planning — writing a will and making arrangements for our growing family. In the course of this, we were asked, 'What other things do you feel strongly about?'" Scott said.

On their list of other important concerns was The Children's Museum, which her children thoroughly enjoy and where she has served as a board member. "It seemed like a natural fit because I have given of my time, so it's certainly worthy of my money."

As a busy parent with a full-time job can testify, time is often more valuable than money. Scott, who works in human resources at Eli Lilly and Company, gives because she is committed to the museum's mission to serve all children. "At this point, it's really a relevant connection because the museum is fun and you can see the impact on children. Although we're not rich, my children are blessed with love and all the material things they need. We enjoy the museum and see how the museum extends to provide for children who don't have advantages," she said. "If they know the mission behind the fun, someday my children will be proud that we supported the museum."

Scott emphasized that all types of gifts are important to the museum's mission. "Ours is a modest gift, but we all have an obligation to give something. If everyone did that, it would make a big contribution."

For more information, contact:

Brian Williams
Vice President of Development
317-334-3724
brianw@childrensmuseum.org