Mary Hoffman moved from Ohio to Vermont in 2005 and quickly came to believe in the power of Vermont’s cultural, environmental, and civic life to bring people together and inspire future generations. Living at Wake Robin, Mary surrounded herself with a community that reflected her love of learning, creativity, and nature.
As her resources grew, she delighted in supporting more causes that mattered to her. She always followed the motto “trust but verify.” Through careful planning, guided by her trust advisor and her VCF philanthropic advisor, Emilye Pelow Corbett, Mary made generous legacy gifts to the institutions she cherished: Shelburne Farms, Shelburne Museum, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, The Nature Conservancy of Vermont, Vermont Land Trust, the Vermont Community Foundation, and Wake Robin.
To honor her generosity, six of the organizations teamed up with filmmaker Ned Castle of Frames to Life to create How Vermont Remembers, a heartfelt video about the lasting impact of Mary’s gifts. The collaboration reflects the same spirit of community that guided Mary’s philanthropy—partners joining forces to show how one person’s thoughtful planning can ripple across generations. Each organization contributed its own perspective, illustrating how Mary’s support continues to nurture art and culture, conserve Vermont’s natural beauty, and strengthen the sense of belonging that defines this place.
The result is a heartfelt portrait of a woman whose trust and curiosity shaped her giving and whose legacy continues to inspire others.
Watch the video here: How Vermont Remembers
Planned giving is personal, and your legacy should reflect what matters most to you. It is also flexible. You can make a difference without impacting your finances today. Learn how the Vermont Community Foundation can help you make a lasting impact like Mary at: vermontcf.org/legacy
