By Sonya Spruill, Philanthropy Manager It’s never too early to begin thinking about your estate!…
At TLC, conservation has always been more than protecting land—it's also about the people who care for these beloved places. Supporters like Cynthia and Steve Sollod remind us how powerful that commitment can be.
Members since 1991, Cynthia and Steve felt an immediate connection to TLC's mission. Cynthia has long been inspired to help protect the planet, while Steve built a career in environmental affairs, guided by a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. The Triangle has been their home for decades, and they cherish North Carolina's rich biodiversity and climate.
To preserve these landscapes they love forever, Cynthia and Steve chose to include TLC in their estate plans and are proud members of the Longview Society.
"What an easy way to make an impact," Cynthia shared. "If you protect land today, people will be able to enjoy it for generations."
For Steve, the decision was equally personal: "The work TLC does to conserve our local environment truly speaks to me, and I'm proud to support it."
They believe legacy gifts—in their case bequeathing their home to TLC—will ensure that future generations have places to explore, reflect, and find peace in nature. By working with TLC staff now, they have set plans in place for proceeds from the sale of their home to fund long-term environmental education and land protection in our region. While permanent land protection doesn't make sense for everyone, there are many types of legacy gifts that can make a lasting difference.
Introducing the Force for Nature Legacy Plan Challenge
Alongside record-shattering fundraising goals for the Force for Nature campaign, TLC has invested efforts to expand our legacy giving program, the Longview Society, because our work is forever. By growing the number of families who include TLC in their estate plans, we help ensure future generations have the resources to continue to steward protected lands.
Our goal is to welcome 100 new Longview Society members by June 30, 2026—and we're just 30 commitments away. To help us cross the finish line, longtime supporters and new Longview Society members, Anne Stoddard and Ron Gallagher, will donate $1,000 to TLC to use now for every new Longview Society commitment—up to $30,000! Now is the moment to help us reach this milestone and fuel the full circle of our work. Reach out today to Christine Wilson, Director of Advancement, at cwilson@triangleland.org or (919) 908-0059, to set your legacy plans into motion.
