Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Great Expectations

Back in the early 1980s, Bill Quarton was raising money for one of his favorite charities. He approached his friend, Bob Buckmaster, about making a contribution. Bob took that opportunity to ask for Bill’s support of the great new organization he had just helped found: the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

That conversation led to Bill Quarton’s pledge of a bequest: INHF’s first planned gift commitment — and a great vote of confidence in this new group. Bill, a communications pioneer from Cedar Rapids, also became a steadfast member from 1983 to his death at age 104 in 2007.

Bill Quarton’s estate provided endowment gifts for a range of his favorite charities. As a volunteer board member for many other nonprofit groups, Bill understood how unrestricted funds provide flexibility for an organization to meet pressing needs. He also knew that reliable endowment earnings are critical to the long-term health and stability of an organization. So his gift to INHF was directed to our endowment — with a portion of the income only used to further our work. Beyond that, there are no restrictions on its use.

Bill’s endowed gift to Iowa’s people, land and wildlife ensures that his 25 years of membership support will continue in perpetuity — one of this generous man’s favorite phrases.