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Legacy Gifts Make an Impact

Even in their passing, two long-time Astraea supporters continue to champion social justice through their legacy gifts. C. Edwin (Ed) Baker and David Becker may not have known each other personally, but their shared goal of advancing social justice has joined them together: Their gifts to Astraea combine to make an even bigger impact in the lives of LGBTI people globally.

C. Edwin (Ed) Baker

A straight ally of the LGBTI community for more than 35 years, C. Edwin (Ed) Baker was one of the nation’s preeminent constitutional law and media policy scholars. He authored four books and 70-plus articles and chapters, and lectured around the world on the confluence of media and democracy. One of his first public acts in a long history of personal, financial and scholarly support of LGBTI causes was his advocacy for a 1977 gay rights ordinance in Eugene, Oregon. One of his last was co-authoring a brief urging for California’s Proposition 8 to be struck down.

“My brother was a remarkable person,” said his sister, Nancy Lynn Baker. "He was an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights throughout his life, was an Astraea donor for many years and was a great personal support for me and my partner. Ed walked his talk and constantly stood up for liberty, equality and justice.”

Ed passed in December 2009 and willed most of his estate to charity. His trust’s generous gift was designated by his sister, herself a long-time Astraea donor, and three of his close friends.

David Becker

David Becker was a museum curator, scholar and professor of arts and design. He publicly “came out” as a person of wealth in a groundbreaking 1978 article in the gay press. In it, he called for wealthy members of the LGBTI community to make connections between their privilege and their oppression and use their resources to foster social change. “In his modest, quiet and truthful way, he lifted a code of silence around wealth and opened a door for others to walk through,” said Executive Director Emeritus Katherine Acey, who was a close friend of David’s.

Throughout his life, David was a staunch advocate for philanthropy, supporting his alma mater, arts organizations and progressive causes. He was instrumental in establishing two LGBTI-focused funds and contributed generously to Astraea’s endowment. With a deep commitment to ending racism and sexism as well as homophobia, Katherine said, “He kept the left in the LGBTI movement and the LGBTI in the left.”

David passed in November 2010. His generous contribution was made through Astraea’s planned giving program.

To learn more about making a planned gift to Astraea, contact Simone Sneed, Major Gifts Officer, at 212-529-8021 x814 or ssneed@astraeafoundation.org.