Legacy Giving

The Quentin Young Legacy Society is a special program honoring individuals who choose to support Health & Medicine Policy Research Group through planned giving with a minimum gift of $5,000.

Why the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

Named in memory of our founder, Dr. Quentin D. Young, a tireless advocate for health equity and social justice, this society ensures that his legacy lives on through transformative gifts that sustain our work. By joining the Quentin Legacy Society, donors commit to making a lasting impact on the future of health care and social justice in Illinois and beyond.

Dr. Quentin D. Young founded Health & Medicine Policy Research Group in 1981 with a vision of a more just and equitable health system. Throughout his life, Dr. Young was a fierce advocate for health care as a human right and played a key role in many social justice movements in Chicago and nationally. As a physician, activist, and public health leader, he worked tirelessly to address the systemic inequities that plague our health care system, especially for historically excluded communities.

The Quentin Young Legacy Society is named in his honor to celebrate his lifelong dedication to advocating for those most in need and to empower others to continue his work through their own legacy of giving. By making a planned gift, you not only contribute to this vision but ensure that future generations benefit from Dr. Young’s foundational values of health justice and equity.

Benefits of Joining the Quentin Young Legacy Society

Members of the Quentin Legacy Society play a vital role in securing the future of Health & Medicine’s work. As a token of our gratitude, society members will receive a variety of benefits, including:

• Recognition: Public acknowledgment on our website, in annual reports, and at events, celebrating your commitment to health equity.
• Exclusive Events: Invitations to special events, including an annual legacy society gathering, where you’ll connect with fellow supporters and learn more about Health & Medicine’s ongoing initiatives.
• Legacy Newsletter: A periodic newsletter providing updates on how your gift supports health equity efforts and advancing Dr. Young’s vision.
• Personalized Impact Report: A yearly report detailing the impact of planned giving on Health & Medicine’s programs and initiatives.
• Special Tribute Opportunities: The ability to make your gift in honor of a loved one or to support a specific program aligned with your values.

A Legacy of Health Justice

By joining the Quentin Young Legacy Society, you help ensure that Dr. Young’s lifelong mission of health care as a human right continues to thrive. Your planned gift will enable Health & Medicine Policy Research Group to fight for health equity, tackle life expectancy gaps, and support innovative solutions that address the root causes of health inequities.

Together, we can carry on Quentin’s legacy, making a difference today and for generations to come.

For more information about the Quentin Young Legacy Society or to discuss your planned giving options, please contact Health & Medicine’s development team at ssweetnam@hmprg.org.

“We support Health & Medicine because we believe in their mission to advance health equity and create a more just health care system. Their work aligns with our commitment to promoting equity and ensuring everyone has access to the care and support they need.”

—Drs. Marsie Hass and Scott Hite, sponsors of the Hass Hite Equity Internship

Creating a Notice of Legacy Gift offers a meaningful way to formalize intentions and leave a lasting impact on Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Letting us know if you’ve named Health & Medicine as a beneficiary of your estate allows us to honor your intentions and advance our shared vision for health equity. This notice allows us not only to show deep gratitude by including donors in our Quentin Young Legacy Society but also to recognize the enduring significance of these gifts. These gifts, and the donors behind them, inspire others to consider similar ways to make a difference.

In addition, the Notice of Legacy Gift process enables those who wish to designate a specific use for their contribution—including establishing a named endowment—to do so with clarity and purpose. Health & Medicine will work closely with donors to draft and maintain this notice alongside relevant estate documentation, ensuring a permanent record of the gift’s values and intentions. This step provides the opportunity for donors to shape a meaningful legacy that supports Health & Medicine’s mission for generations to come.

Will you allow us to create a Notice of Legacy Gift for your gift?

If you choose to name Health & Medicine Policy Research Group as a beneficiary of your estate, please let us know. This will enable us to ensure your intentions are carried out as you wish, and, equally important, use your example to inspire others to include Health & Medicine in their plans.

In addition, if you would like to further specify the use of your funds (including the creation of a named endowment), we would like to work with you on a Notice of Legacy Gift which Health & Medicine will keep on file along with the pages of your estate plan that describe your gift. This procedure will permanently document your values and your intentions for the future.

More Information

For more information or to discuss your planned giving options, please contact Shannon Sweetnam, Director of Development and Communications, at ssweetnam@hmprg.org.

Learn more about Building a Lasting Legacy with Health & Medicine. And share this Bequest Language Guide with your financial advisor to ensure your support of health equity endures for generations.

1. What is the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

The Quentin Young Legacy Society honors individuals who have made a planned gift to Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. It allows donors to leave a lasting impact on health equity, supporting our work to advance social justice in health care for future generations.

2. Is there a minimum gift amount to join the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

The minimum gift amount is $5,000 to join the Quentin Young Legacy Society. We welcome planned gifts of any size. Every contribution, no matter how large or small, plays a vital role in supporting our mission and continuing Dr. Quentin Young’s legacy of health equity.

3. Do I need to make my planned gift within a certain time frame?

There is no specific time frame for making your planned gift. Planned gifts can be included in your will, trust, retirement account, or other estate planning documents at any time. You may also update your plans as your circumstances change.

4. Can I make an anonymous gift?

Yes, you can choose to remain anonymous if you prefer. While we value the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our donors publicly, we fully respect the wishes of those who prefer to keep their giving private. Simply let us know if you would like your gift to remain anonymous.

5. What types of gifts qualify for the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

You can join the Quentin Young Legacy Society by making a planned gift through:

• Bequests in your will or living trust
• Naming Health & Medicine as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy
• Establishing a charitable remainder trust or gift annuity
• Donating real estate or appreciated securities

If you have another type of gift in mind, please reach out to our team to discuss your options.

6. Will my gift be used immediately?

Planned gifts are typically used in the future, after your lifetime, to help secure Health & Medicine’s long-term sustainability. However, if you wish to discuss more immediate ways to contribute or a combination of planned and current gifts, we are happy to explore options that align with your goals.

7. What recognition will I receive as a member of the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

As a member of the Quentin Young Legacy Society, you will be acknowledged on our website, in our annual reports, and at special events, unless you prefer to remain anonymous. You’ll also receive exclusive invitations to events and updates on how your legacy will support our ongoing work.

8. Can I direct my gift to a specific program or initiative?

Yes, you can designate your planned gift to support a specific area of our work, such as policy advocacy, community health initiatives, or any program that aligns with your passions. We are happy to discuss how your gift can make the most impact in an area that matters most to you.

9. How do I inform Health & Medicine that I’ve included them in my estate plans?

To let us know that you’ve included Health & Medicine in your estate plans, simply contact our development team. We’ll ask you to complete a brief form confirming your planned gift, which will help us recognize you as a member of the Quentin Young Legacy Society.

10. How can I learn more about planned giving and the Quentin Young Legacy Society?

If you have any questions or would like to explore your options, please contact our development team. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure your legacy aligns with your values and vision for the future of health equity.