Jonathan C. Rice Legacy SocietyJonathan C. Rice Legacy Society
The Jonathan C. Rice Legacy Society honors the philanthropic leadership and vision of individuals who have provided for the future of public broadcasting by making a Legacy gift. Legacy gifts include:
- Bequests through a will or living trust
- Gifts that provide lifetime income, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts
- Retirement plans or life insurance policies that name KQED as beneficiary.
Membership Benefits
- Invitations to special receptions, screenings and events
- VIP tours of KQED studios
- Recognition of your gift in KQED publications and on our Donor Wall
Our Legacy Society is growing rapidly. Becoming a member encourages others to do the same.
To notify us of your interest in Legacy Society membership, please complete our request for information form.
Chuck Kissner & Cary Orr-Kissner: Difference Makers
Former KQED Board Chair Chuck Kissner and his wife Cary Orr-Kissner have been passionate consumers of public media for many years. They firmly believe that democracy can wither without an independent media monitoring power and providing fact-based news.
“We’re constantly striving to be well-informed citizens and KQED’s content with a local viewpoint is incredibly important to us, even essential,” says Chuck. “When we mention KQED to our friends and acquaintances, many of them tell us of its importance to them, whether it’s news, education, arts, science or many other aspects of their lives.”
Both Chuck and Cary feel strongly enough that they have generously volunteered their time, and contributed financially, to support what they view as a precious community resource.
The Kissners recently joined the members of KQED’s Jonathan C. Rice Legacy Society, which honors those who have named KQED as a beneficiary of their estate plan. Chuck notes: “When we were looking at our estate planning and considering the organizations that we wanted to continue to support at the end of our lives, we decided that KQED was the most important.”
Chuck and Cary made their bequest gift by naming KQED as a charitable beneficiary of their revocable living trust.
When asked what they hope to achieve by making a legacy gift to KQED, the Kissners both agreed: “We want to help ensure the long-term viability of our Bay Area public broadcasting resource. We believe that democracy only works with an informed electorate, and this requires a long-term commitment.”
“We think all of us want to make a positive and lasting difference in the world, and in our own small way, this gift provides us with the satisfaction that it may achieve that.”
KQED co-founder Jonathan Rice
1916 - 2001
"In 1954, my dream for providing a special public service for our community was realized — Channel 9 went on the air, providing public television for the San Francisco Bay Area.
KQED FM became a reality in 1969. Almost 50 years later, KQED is the nation's most-watched public broadcaster in prime time. Over the years, we have come to rely on KQED's innovative programming — it inspires, enlightens, and informs us.
As co-founder of KQED, I still care about its present, still dream of its future. My vision is that KQED will continue to serve the community, providing quality programming to enrich the lives of future generations - our children and grandchildren. I hope you will join me in fulfilling this dream by making a legacy gift to KQED." (Jonathan Rice at the founding of the Legacy Society in 1997)