Kirke H. Field Society

Public service and philanthropy defined the life of Kirke Hart Field.  As a civic leader, he helped created many of the institutions which continue to shape the environment of Redlands today.  He was, as one contemporary wrote, a "most pleasing exponent of the charms of the community."

As a young attorney, Field settled in Redlands in 1892.  His tireless efforts on behalf of the people of Redlands began almost immediately.  He was a charter member of the Fortnightly Club, board member of the Associated Charities, an officer of the Congregational Church, president of the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and a driving force in the creation of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.  Field's commitment to education was unwavering.  He was an early president of the High School board of trustees, and a founder of the University of Redlands.

His name will always be associated with the A.K. Smiley Public Library where he served as a member of the board of trustees for almost 40 years--the last 18 as president- until his death in 1936.  He held a deep affection for the Library which he called "the people’s university."  He was instrumental in helping to create an endowment fund that has subsidized Library programs.

The society is sustained by member support through bequests or tax-advantaged donations.  Such selfless acts of generosity work to rejuvenate the Redlands community that was so much a part of Kirke H. Field whom friends remembered as "the ideal of service and stewardship of life."

Through careful gift planning, you may support the Library's future while preserving your estate, as well as your financial security.  You may also be able to increase your income during your lifetime.  Several vehicles, each of which provides you a wonderful way to strengthen the Smiley Library's future, may be used to accomplish these goals.

Bequests  are the most common planned gifts:

Specific bequests give a specified amount of money or a particular asset to the Library.
Residual bequests give the balance- or a percentage of the balance - of the estate to the Library.
Contingent bequests give the Library a portion of your estate designated for another person if that person dies before you.

Retained Life Income Gifts allow donors to give significant assets to the Library during their lifetimes, but to retain an income interest in the asset until their deaths.  Such gifts include Gift Annuities, Pooled Income Fund Trusts, and Charitable Remainder Trusts.  These gifts may be made with cash and marketable securities.  In some cases, other assets such a s real estate may also be used.

Charitable Lead Trusts provide the Library a stream of income from a donor's asset for a period of years, after which the asset reverts to the donor of the donor's heirs.

Retained Life Estate Gifts allow donors to give their homes to the Smiley Library now, but to continue to live in them and otherwise enjoy their benefits for life.  The home may be a primary residence or a vacation home.

Donors may give fully paid, partially paid, or newly purchased Life Insurance policies to the Smiley Library--and thus for modest investment make large gifts realized upon their deaths.  Tax benefits vary depending on whether or not the policy is paid up.