Planned Giving Planned Giving
John Crary
Nearly 15 years ago, John Crary was introduced to the Lick Observatory and the UC Santa Cruz Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics by a close friend who was a UC Santa Cruz Trustee. Today, he is one of their biggest supporters and advocates. John and his wife, Barbara, are "so impressed with the research that the UC Observatories, UC Santa Cruz and their collaborators are engaged in. What we learn about the universe is deeply relevant to our understanding of our world and how we live in it. And we love the stars."
Several years ago John's family created a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) that will ultimately benefit UC Observatories and the Lick Observatory. A CRT allows a donor to bypass capital gains on appreciated property, receive a charitable deduction, and increase their income. As time has gone on, John has made further gifts to the CRT using appreciated stock, adding to what both John and ultimately UCSC receives.
The Lick Observatory was founded in the 19th century as the first mountaintop observatory. Lick users range in age from undergraduates to the most senior and eminent astronomers in the University of California. At any given time, over 100 observers are pursuing science programs at Lick.