Legacy Gifts

We invite you to become a member of the Mary Shaw Society, a special group of committed Queens Public Library supporters who have included the Library in their will or estate plans.

The Society is named for Mary Shaw, a pioneer educator and the principal of a public grammar school for African American children in Flushing. Upon her death in 1905, she bequeathed $1,000 to purchase books for a reference section at The Flushing Free Library, which is now part of the Queens Public Library system — and one of the most heavily used libraries in the nation. Her generous bequest embodies the Library’s mission to provide opportunities for intellectual and personal growth to all people.

You can provide for the future of Queens Public Library by naming the Queens Public Library Foundation as a beneficiary of your will, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or other estate giving vehicle. You can earmark your bequest for general use or for a specific library branch — either way, your gift will ensure that our free books and resources are available for generations of Queens residents to come.

Members of the Mary Shaw Society receive a commemorative QPL pin, invitations to an annual gathering and other special events, and an annual newsletter. With your permission, we’ll also list your name in the Mary Shaw Society Honor Roll on our website, so that your generosity and commitment may inspire others.

Ready to join the Mary Shaw Society? Please contact Matthew Brookshire at 718.480.4273 or Matthew.Brookshire@queenslibrary.org for more information.

Start Your Legacy Today

To help you get started on your plans and legacy, the Queens Public Library Foundation has partnered with FreeWill, an online tool that guides you through the process of creating your will or trust.

FreeWill is easy to use, accessible online, and can be completed in about 20 minutes. You can use this resource on its own, or use it to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney.

Have you already included a gift to the Queens Public Library Foundation in your will or trust? Please fill out this form to let us know! We would love to thank you for your generosity and welcome you to the Mary Shaw Society.

Beneficiaries

Do you have an IRA, 401(k), life-insurance policy, or any other assets not included in your will? If so, these are called non-probate assets, and you must plan your beneficiaries for them separately.

Use this online tool to make your plans and designate us as a beneficiary of one or more of these assets.

Learn More about Legacy Giving.

Mary Shaw Society Members