PLANNED
GIVING
The Giving Gardens
YOUR LEGACY
in Full Bloom.
Imagine a world transformed by gardening. Imagine that every person in your community can walk to a public-access garden with fresh produce, herbs, vegetables, and berries. Imagine that every empty lot in your community is seized upon to be a berry patch, an orchard, a grove of pecans, or a beautiful cut flower garden.
This is what you can be part of.
Nature and Connection
No one else is doing what we do. The Giving Gardens is about so much more than food. We are about reconnection. Reconnecting with the natural world, reconnecting with neighbors, and rebuilding communities.
When you make a planned gift to The Giving Gardens, you help future generations connect to the natural world through gardening. Your generosity ensures more Giving Gardens in more neighborhoods, taking us one step closer to our vision of a greener, more abundant, more hopeful world.
Whether you want to support us after your lifetime or make a tax-wise gift today, planned giving offers options that benefit you, your loved ones, and your community.
Choose the Planned Gift That’s Right for You
Explore your options below. If you have questions, we are here to help.
AT THE GIVING GARDENS
Whatever your stage in life, planned giving can help you make a lasting impact. Many options offer significant tax savings, allow you to give without affecting your daily finances, and ensure your family is taken care of first.
Gifts for the Future
Gifts in a Will or Trust
A gift in your will helps us plant the next thousand gardens. You can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residue of your estate to The Giving Gardens. It costs nothing today, and you can change your mind at any time.
(Bequests)You can name The Giving Gardens as a primary or secondary beneficiary of your life insurance policy, IRA, 401(k), or pension. This is one of the simplest ways to give and can often protect your heirs from heavy income and estate taxes.
(Life Insurance & Retirement Plans) Beneficiary Designations
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John Curtis
FOUNDER, DIRECTOR and LEAD GARDENER
John Curtis is the founder, director and lead gardener at The Giving Gardens. He believes that many of the problems that face modern humanity could be solved by reconnecting people with their landscapes. For more than 25 years, John and his partner, KMC, operated Barefoot Gardens CSA, a small farm-based business where they grew vegetables, herbs, flowers and berries and fostered a sense of community among their members. John also served on the board and as president of Illinois Stewardship Alliance, a statewide nonprofit that develops policy and advocates for local food initiatives throughout Illinois.
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Whitney Fowler
Whitney grew up on a farm in McDonough County which inspired her to study environmental sustainability, gardening, and landscape design as an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois. After graduating, she joined the team to give back to her local community and learn more about how gardening can make the world a better place. She helps lead other team members in addition to physical garden work, internal capacity building, volunteer coordination, and event planning. Whitney loves being part of the team because she found a sense of community and she believes her AmeriCorps service truly makes a difference in people’s lives. -
Nicole Spencer
Nicole is an experienced nonprofit program director with a deep passion for plants, home gardening, and foraging wild edibles. She joined The Giving Gardens team to drive infrastructure and capacity building, support expansion efforts, and expand her own gardening expertise on a larger scale. A firm believer in the organization’s mission and vision, Nicole is dedicated to providing the community with fresh, healthy nutritional options. Beyond her professional role, she delights in tending the gardens and contributing to both their growth and that of the organization—finding true joy in wandering through a blooming garden bursting with vibrant colors and life. -
Tyler Clark
Tyler began volunteering with The Giving Gardens in 2025 and joined the team as a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA member through the IIRA in March 2026. Passionate about nature and community service, he views gardening as an opportunity to strengthen connections between people and the environment while promoting biodiversity and food access. Tyler is especially committed to serving marginalized and underserved communities and hopes to continue building programs that foster inclusion, belonging, and equitable access to resources. Being a part of The Giving Gardens allows him to combine his love of nature with meaningful service to the community.
OUR PARTNERS
WHO MAKE THE GIVING GARDENS POSSIBLE
First Presbyterian Church of Macomb
First Presbyterian Church of Macomb is the home base of The Giving Gardens. The church houses our offices, our tool room, our seedling room and one of our public access gardens. First Presbyterian Church also currently serves as the fiscal sponsor of The Giving Gardens.
Fellows Program in Rural Community Development through the Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs (IIRA) and AmeriCorps
We rely heavily on our AmeriCorps members who come to us through the IIRA and the Fellows Program in Rural Community Development. Our team of AmeriCorps members organize our volunteers and provide much of the labor for our gardens and programs.
