Leave a Legacy That Keeps History Moving
A planned gift to the Shore Line Trolley Museum is a meaningful way to ensure that future generations can experience living history—riding historic trolley cars, learning about transportation innovation, and connecting with the stories that shaped our communities.
Planned giving is for anyone who cares deeply about preserving this museum’s mission. Many legacy gifts cost nothing today and can be arranged as part of your overall estate plans.
Ways to Leave a Legacy
1) Include the Museum in Your Will or Trust
A bequest is one of the most common and flexible planned gifts. You can choose to:
- leave a specific dollar amount
- leave a percentage of your estate
- leave a specific asset
Your gift helps support long-term preservation, education, and museum operations.
2) Name the Museum as a Beneficiary
You can designate the Shore Line Trolley Museum as a beneficiary of:
- a retirement account (IRA, 401(k), 403(b))
- a life insurance policy
- a bank or investment account
This is often one of the easiest ways to make a future gift.
3) Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Legacy Giving
A donor-advised fund is a simple way to support the Shore Line Trolley Museum using charitable dollars you’ve already set aside through providers like Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or your local community foundation.
To recommend a grant, use:
- Legal Name: Shore Line Trolley Museum (Branford Electric Railway Association)
- EIN: 06-6088826
- Mailing Address: 17 River Street, East Haven, CT 06512
- Website: shorelinetrolley.org
Grant recommendation note (optional)
Please list your gift as unrestricted whenever possible. However, if you are supporting the Endowment, please specifically indicate that your gift is for the Endowment (as opposed to it being unrestricted). If your DAF allows, please include your name and address so we can thank you properly
4) Gifts to Support the Endowment
If you want your gift to provide lasting support year after year, you may choose to direct a planned gift to the museum’s endowment.
Why Planned Giving Matters
Planned gifts help ensure the Shore Line Trolley Museum can continue to:
- preserve historic trolley cars, equipment, and archives
- maintain and operate the oldest continuously running suburban trolley line in the United States
- offer educational programs and community events
- invest in long-term stability and future growth
Let Us Know (So We Can Say Thank You)
Let us know if you’ve included the museum in your plans—so we can thank you and ensure your intentions are understood. There is no minimum gift amount. Every legacy gift makes a difference.
Let us know about your DAF gift so we can say thank you.Sample Bequest Language
You may share this language with your attorney or advisor:
“I give to the Shore Line Trolley Museum (Branford Electric Railway Association), a nonprofit organization located in East Haven, Connecticut, the sum of $________ [or ____% of my estate / or the following described property] to be used for its general charitable purposes.”
(Optional addition)
“If this gift cannot be used as originally intended, the museum may direct it to a similar purpose that best supports its mission.”
Questions? We’re Here to Help
Planned giving is personal, and we’re happy to talk confidentially.
Contact: John Proto, Executive Director
Email: director@shorelinetrolley.org
Phone: (475) 227-0001
The Shore Line Trolley Museum encourages donors to consult with their attorney or financial advisor when making estate plans.