Thank you to our donors
Albert Fuller Society
The Albert Fuller Society recognizes individuals who have chosen legacy giving as a way to perpetuate their support of The Ridges Sanctuary and sustain their conservation vision for the future.
By joining the Albert Fuller Society, you leave a lasting legacy that protects and conserves the cherished Ridges Sanctuary. Our Albert Fuller Society is a community of individuals who share a deep love for The Ridges and who have committed to its preservation. Your support undeniably makes all the difference in safeguarding this unique and precious treasure for future generations.
Leaving a legacy gift is a way to ensure that what you care about continues to thrive and benefit future generations. Finally, it is a powerful way to make a lasting impact and leave a positive legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
If you have already named The Ridges Sanctuary as a legacy gift recipient in your will or estate plans, please let us know! Or, if you are interested in learning more about Legacy Giving and becoming a member of the Albert Fuller Society, let’s connect! Use the email below to reach Eliza Banjanac, Director of Growth Initiatives:
Give the gift of significance
Leaving a legacy gift through the Albert Fuller Society, whether it is through a will, trust or other planned giving options, is a significant benefit to The Ridges Sanctuary in several ways:
Long-term Impact: The power to create lasting change and have a profound impact on The Ridges. With your gift, you are subsequently providing ongoing support for programs and projects that are important to you.
Financial Stability: Provide funding for ongoing programs, maintaining facilities, and support of initiatives that might otherwise be challenging to sustain. As a result, this stability allows The Ridges to plan for the future and make a greater impact.
Support for a Specific Cause: Whether it is preserving biodiversity, supporting environmental education or researching local ecology, legacy gifts ensure that these important pillars of The Ridges will continue to receive support and make a difference. Donors can in fact choose to support causes or initiatives that align with their values and passions.
Inspiring Others: When individuals see the positive impact that legacy gifts have on The Ridges as an organization, they may be motivated to follow suit and leave their own legacy. This creates a ripple effect of generosity and support.
Recognition: The Ridges acknowledges the generosity of your legacy gift. This recognition not only honors the donor but also serves as a reminder to the community of the importance of giving back.
In the last 10 years, members of the Albert Fuller Society supported:
Current AFS Members
Anonymous (4)
Edith M. Ballin
Hugh & Joyce Bell
Judy Brown
Julie & John Carpenter
Kerstin Conner
Larry & Cynthia Crock
Andrew & Tonya Crowell
Robert Davis III
Millicent Ficken
Barbara & Spencer Gould
Mrs. Pat Hale
Mary Hedeen
Pam & Craig Heilman
Ronald Horn
Rev. Nancy Hooper Horvath
Dan Meyer & Mary Jean Kraybill
Steve & Marsha Krzyzanowski
Ed & Mary Langbein
Alan & Judy Rentmeester
Michael & Judy Roy
Tim & Carol Smith
Michael P. Steffen
Diane & Terry Steiner
Janet & Thomas Sutter
Drew & Mary Tucker
Tom Turriff
Thora M. Vervoren
Hank & Judy Whipple
Jane & John Whitney
James & Betty Williams
Barbara & Gary Yeast
Dave Zuhlke & Jane McKie
*If you have named The Ridges Sanctuary as a legacy gift recipient in your will or estate plans and would like to be included on this list, please contact Eliza
Annual Undesignated Supporters
Gifts, no matter the size, to our general operating fund have a massive impact on our day-to-day operations. Because of your generous support we have the ability to continue to deliver on our important mission through impactful environmental education, land management and protection, and ecological research.
In 2025, our donors supported:
Preservation Designated Supporters
Support for preservation makes important activities in land management and protection possible. To that end, we work hard to mitigate the impact of invasive species, acquire critical habitats for future protection, and promote stewardship activities within our community. With this in mind, your ongoing support ensures that we can continue to protect and preserve the unspoiled and wild place that we have all come to appreciate.
In 2025, our donors supported:
Education Designated Supporters
Education is at the center of everything we do at The Ridges Sanctuary. In order to deliver on our important vision to inspire the conservation of Nature, we rely on the support of our donors to strengthen our learning opportunities. Every day we engage with the next generation of leaders through our environmental education programs for all ages.
In 2025, our donors supported:
Research Designated Supporters
Our founders set forth with a very important initiative to carry on educational and scientific activities that will promote the cause of the conservation and preservation of wild plant and animal life and natural scenery. Support towards our important activities in research ensures that we can deliver on that important vision. Because of the generous support from our community, our growth in research includes the orchid restoration project, dwarf lake iris restoration, and climate resiliency.
In 2025, our donors supported:
Endowment Designated Supporters
Our endowment is fundamental to the long-standing strength of our organization. It plays an important role in ensuring that we have the capacity annually to grow so that we maintain our important work in Preservation, Education and Research. Your support of our endowment therefore creates a ripple effect that supports our organization in perpetuity.
