A Family Legacy of Impact

For Jean and Doug Renfield-Miller, supporting Robin Hood has always been about one thing: impact.

The couple has supported Robin Hood’s mission to fight poverty in New York City for almost as long as the organization has been operating. Today, their commitment extends beyond their lifetimes. As part of their estate planning, Jean and Doug named Robin Hood as a contingent beneficiary of their estate — a decision that felt both natural and simple.

“It really wasn’t a long conversation,” said Jean. “Robin Hood is an organization we feel close to, and one where we believe our gift will have the greatest impact.”

Jean and Doug’s relationship with Robin Hood began in 1991. At the time, the organization was gaining attention for its bold philanthropic model: Every dollar donated by supporters went directly to poverty-fighting programs across New York City.

“That really stood out,” Doug recalled. “Robin Hood was going to take every penny that you gave them and put it to work. I don’t think anybody else was doing that.”

Doug found Robin Hood’s commitment to measurable results equally compelling: “Just seeing how metric-driven Robin Hood was made me want to be a big supporter.”

Over time, the Renfield-Millers developed a deep trust in the organization’s leadership and approach. “We give unrestricted support,” Jean explained. “Robin Hood knows where the money should go.”

But, for the Renfield-Millers, philanthropy has never been limited to their own giving. It has always been a family value. When their children were young, Jean and Doug introduced a simple tradition: “Each child was required to set aside a portion of their allowance to donate. They each joined the family foundation board when they turned 21 and have an allocation to direct, but the habit was instilled much earlier,” said Jean.

That early exposure helped build a habit of giving — and it also led to their youngest son, Jamie, building a meaningful connection with Robin Hood.

Jamie first became involved through summers spent at Camp Robin Hood, where he had boots-on-the-ground exposure to poverty in NYC. “The program itself was a real eye-opener for him,” said Jean. “Camp Robin Hood exposed Jamie to experiences and perspectives he might never have encountered otherwise.”

Jamie later continued his involvement with the organization through its Teen Council and Robin Hood Fellows programs, deepening his understanding of the challenges many New Yorkers face and the importance of addressing them.

Today, Jamie supports Robin Hood independently.

When Jean and Doug met with their attorney to review their estate plans, naming Robin Hood as a contingent beneficiary was an easy decision.

“This is the organization with which we’ve been involved the longest,” said Jean. “Our family feels very connected to Robin Hood. It just makes sense.”

Their planned gift is intentionally unrestricted. For Jean and Doug, the decision reflects both their confidence in Robin Hood and the legacy they hope to leave behind.

“With Robin Hood,” said Doug, “the money is going to go where it will have the most direct impact.”

And, as their family’s story shows, that impact can extend far beyond a single generation.