SAVE A SEAT FOR THE FUTURE
LEAVE A LEGACY OF DOCUMENTARY IN MAINE
For more than two decades, audiences in Camden and across the Midcoast have gathered to see remarkable documentaries before the rest of the world, often with the filmmakers in the room.
You’ve filled those theaters, and helped make them some of the most special places in documentary film.
A legacy gift to Points North makes sure those theaters stay open and accessible for generations to come: a film you can’t see anywhere else, a story that shifts how we see a subject, a community, or one another, and a conversation worth staying for.
Why legacy gifts matter
Points North is a small organization with a big reach. Each year we bring world-class documentary to Maine, offer free screenings and passes to students, libraries, and neighbors, and support filmmakers years before anyone else.
Gifts from individuals make much of this possible. A gift in your will or estate plan, of any size, helps build a lasting foundation so the festival and our year-round programs can thrive long into the future.
Ways to give
Gifts are simple to arrange, and most cost you nothing right now.
A gift in your will or trust. You can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or what remains after providing for your loved ones.
A beneficiary designation. You can name Points North as a full or partial beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or bank account. This is often done with a simple form from your provider, without changing your will.
A gift from your IRA. If you are 70½ or older, you can give directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. These gifts can count toward your required minimum distribution and aren’t counted as taxable income. This is a way to support Points North today as well as plan for tomorrow.
A donor-advised fund. You can name Points North as a successor beneficiary of your fund.
Already included Points North in your plans?
We’d love to know, so we can thank you properly and make sure your wishes are honored. Letting us know is never binding: you’re free to change your plans at any time, and we’ll respect your wishes about privacy and recognition.
If you’re one of the first to share your plans with us, you’ll be part of something new.
To learn more, or to let us know you’ve already included Points North, please contact:
Kate Fox, Director of Development, [email protected]
Points North Institute · Federal Tax ID #45-1622247
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be wealthy to leave a legacy gift?
Not at all. Legacy gifts of every size make a difference, and many are made by people who give modestly during their lifetimes. Even a small percentage of an estate can have a lasting impact on an organization of our size.
Will a legacy gift affect my finances now?
Most legacy gifts, such as a gift in your will or a beneficiary designation, cost nothing during your lifetime. You keep full use of your assets and can continue to provide for yourself and your loved ones.
Can I change my mind?
Yes. You can update your will, trust, or beneficiary designations at any time, and sharing your plans with us is never binding.
Do I have to tell Points North about my gift?
You don’t have to, but we hope you will. It lets us thank you, understand your wishes, and make sure your gift is used the way you intend. We will honor any request for privacy or anonymity.
Can I direct my gift to a specific program?
Yes. Unrestricted gifts give Points North the most flexibility to meet future needs, but you may also direct your gift to a program that’s meaningful to you. We recommend talking with us first so we can make sure your wishes can be carried out.
Can I make a legacy gift in memory of someone?
Yes. Many people choose to honor a spouse, family member, or friend who shared their love of documentary film. We’d be glad to talk with you about how to recognize that person.
Are there tax benefits?
Legacy gifts to Points North, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, may reduce estate taxes. Gifts from an IRA may reduce income taxes for your heirs or, for Qualified Charitable Distributions, for you. Because every situation is different, please consult your attorney or financial advisor.
How will my gift be used?
Unless you direct otherwise, your gift will support Points North’s mission where it’s needed most: bringing world-class documentary to Maine, keeping screenings free and accessible, and backing filmmakers early in their creative process.