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Joseph Lee Heywood Society

Throughout its history, Carleton's excellence in the liberal arts has been sustained by the commitment and vision of generous donors, whose planned gifts have strengthened the College endowment, campus facilities, faculty and academic resources, and student scholarships.

Carleton is grateful to all those whose thoughtful planning has helped ensure a vibrant future for the College. Carleton honors donors who have made gifts of future support through membership in the Joseph Lee Heywood Society, named for Carleton's early volunteer treasurer and an officer of the First National Bank of Northfield.

A Northfield Hero's Legacy

On September 7, 1876, Joseph Lee Heywood was fatally shot when he refused to allow members of the notorious James-Younger gang into the Northfield bank’s vault. Heywood was heralded locally and nationally for giving his life to prevent the robbery, which was the gang’s only known failed attempt. His name has been synonymous with qualities of uncommon loyalty and devotion ever since.

Today, Northfield recognizes Heywood’s courage with the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration, which is held each September. Carleton honors Heywood and his service to the College through the Heywood Society, which recognizes the uncommon loyalty of those who have made a commitment of future support to the College. The Society was inaugurated in 1995 and now has over than 1,400 members, spanning eight decades of Carleton alumni, parents, and friends.

An Invitation to Join the Joseph Lee Heywood Society

Members of the Joseph Lee Heywood Society have expressed their commitment to Carleton College through a very special and important form of financial support.

These donors have named Carleton as the ultimate beneficiary of a planned gift. Such gifts might include a bequest and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, or gifts of life insurance.

Once you complete your estate plans, please fill out our member profile form to let us know. We would like to thank you for your generosity by including you in the Joseph Lee Heywood Society.

Membership Benefits

Your membership involves no dues, obligations, or solicitations, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made, and it may inspire generosity in others.

Benefits of membership in the Joseph Lee Heywood Society also include annual luncheons, invitations to special events and seminars and a subscription to our newsletter.

The most important benefit, however, you will receive from joining the Joseph Lee Heywood Society is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to our long-term prosperity.