Supporting Environmental Advocacy for Decades to Come

Rick Gustafson has been committed to protecting the health of Oregon’s environment for decades. As he and his wife, Susan, reflected on what was most meaningful to them over their lifetimes, Rick shared why they decided to leave a planned gift to OEC.

“I am enormously proud of Oregonians’ protection of our environment. I am very committed to assuring that this wonderful environment we live in is preserved for future generations to enjoy. OEC has for more than 50 years offered a thoughtful approach to environmental protection, which I support and value.”

Rick was familiar with OEC’s work for years before joining OEC’s Board of Directors in 2005. He first learned of OEC when he served in the Oregon Legislature in 1975 and 1977 when OEC was working on issues like field burning, the bottle bill and industrial pollution. Rick got to know OEC better during his tenure as Metro’s first elected executive, working closely with OEC on assuring the recycling option for every citizen of the Portland Metro area.

Rick became even more impressed with OEC when serving on the State Board of Agriculture from 1995 to 2005. As he tells it, there was conflict between OEC and the State Board of Agriculture over pesticide reporting. In an effort to find common ground and work with the agricultural community to make progress on the issue, OEC recruited him to join the OEC Board. Rick shares that it was not a hard call. “It was meaningful to me and many others that OEC was actively trying to improve its relationship with agriculture. They demonstrated their thoughtful approach to environmental advocacy and their commitment to working in partnership to make progress.”

Rick served on OEC’s Board for 13 years, serving as chair for five of those. Rick says that he thoroughly enjoyed his time on the Board. “Working with board members from across the state who care deeply about Oregon’s future, as well as the OEC staff, who are environmental policy experts and committed advocates, was both rewarding and personally very enjoyable.”

As Rick and Susan considered potential planned giving options, they decided to establish a charitable gift annuity. As longtime members of the Evergreen Society, OEC’s monthly giving program, their goal was to find a way to contribute to OEC consistently for years to come.

By setting up a charitable gift annuity through the National Gift Annuity Foundation with a lump-sum contribution, Rick and Susan will receive income annually, assuring that they can make the same level of contribution to OEC each year. Upon their passing, the remaining funds will be transferred to OEC to be placed in the Strategic Opportunity Fund and earn sufficient funds to meet their commitment to the Evergreen Society in perpetuity.

Rick and Susan were thrilled to use this option to continue their support to OEC for the rest of their lifetimes and beyond. “I treasure Oregon deeply. This place is more than home to me. It is a part of me. That’s why I believe it’s so important to support Oregon Environmental Council. I feel very proud knowing that my gift will play a part in keeping Oregon’s air clean, its water plentiful, its economy strong and my family healthy.”

OEC remains deeply appreciative of Rick and Susan’s generous support over the years, as well as their commitment to leave a planned gift to fund thoughtful environmental advocacy in Oregon for years to come.

If you would like to remember OEC with a gift in your will or learn more about establishing a charitable gift annuity, please contact Teke Dillender at teked@oeconline.org or 503-222-1963 x119 to learn more.