A Legacy of Love for Big Top

For more than four decades, Big Top Chautauqua has brought people together beneath the blue canvas tent to share music, laughter, and community. A legacy gift ensures that this magic continues for generations to come — keeping the music alive, the stories vibrant, and the spirit of Big Top shining far into the future.
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Your planned gift helps sustain the performances, education programs, and cultural experiences that make Big Top a Northwoods treasure. Members of the Heritage Society share a deep belief in the power of music and community, leaving a lasting imprint on the tent and the people it touches.

About the Heritage Society

The Heritage Society honors those who have included Big Top Chautauqua in their estate or financial plans. By joining, you help secure Big Top’s future and ensure that our mission — to provide cultural experiences that entertain, educate, and strengthen community — continues to thrive.


Legacy gifts can be made in many ways, including through a will, trust, beneficiary designation, or charitable gift annuity. You may choose to be publicly recognized as a member of the Heritage Society, or remain anonymous — knowing that your generosity will have a lasting impact on the music and magic of Big Top.


Your legacy keeps the music playing, the stories alive, and the Big Blue Tent glowing for generations to come.

Ways to Establish a Legacy Gift

  1. BEQUEST
    A gift to Big Top Chautauqua at the time of death. A bequest is the simplest type of planned gift and the easiest to implement.​

  2. GIFT OF RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS
    A gift to Big Top Chautauqua from the assets of a retirement plan that are made at the time of death. This may be the most tax effective way to make a gift.

  3. CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST
    A trust that receives cash or property from the donor, makes payments for the donor’s lifetime or a specified term of years, and then distributes the remainder to Big Top Chautauqua.

  4. SIMPLE ESTATE GIFT
    Gifts are transferred at time of death directly from bank, financial, and brokerage accounts to Big Top Chautauqua. These gifts avoid income and estate taxes.

  5. GIFT OF LIFE INSURANCE
    A donor can name Big Top Chautauqua as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. A gift of life insurance is an option to provide a gift to Big Top Chautauqua without disturbing an estate plan.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?

For further information about the Heritage Society and how to make a legacy gift to Big Top Chautauqua, or any of the Ashwabay Alliance programs please contact Jackie 715-779-1101 or [email protected].