The Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies is working to understand the natural world we all depend on. Our pioneering ecosystem science informs policy and management activities. By understanding how ecosystems function, Institute research helps ensure that vital ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, are protected for generations to come.

Donor contributions strengthen our ability to meet our research and educational goals. When you support the Institute, you invest in ecological understanding. From funding an Ecology Camp experience for an underprivileged child to ensuring that scientists have access to new technology, donors are essential to our programs.

The Aldo Leopold Society (ALS)
Named after the eminent ecologist, ALS members invest in research and education through annual membership. A special group of Institute supporters, they are invited to functions, such as research updates, garden tours, and a yearly gala.

Stock & Mutual Funds
Gifts of appreciated securities, made as outright donations or charitable annuities, give the Institute's programs the fiscal strength needed to grow, while offering tax savings to donors.

Planned Gifts
When leaving your financial legacy, consider making the Institute a beneficiary of your estate. Bequests ensure the Institute's long-term vitality and support our pioneering research endeavors. If you remember the Cary Institute in your will, we should be named: Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Inc.

Memorial Tributes
Remember loved ones in a way that honors their memory and celebrates the natural world. Tributes are individually tailored and, depending on the gift, can range from an endowed laboratory to a memorial bench along Institute trails.

Real Estate Gifts
Gifts of real estate can benefit both the Institute and the benefactor. Real estate donation can minimize estate taxation and qualify donors for a significant tax deduction.

Corporate Donations
Donations from the corporate community are welcome. Gifts can come in the form of direct donations or materials that support Institute programs, such as computers, vehicles, lab supplies, and landscaping equipment.