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Endowment

Why Give to Endowment Perpetuating Important Values

In a world in which so much comes and goes so quickly, the YMCA lasts. It is stable, values-based, professionally managed, in touch with public sentiment, and capable of meeting the changing conditions and needs of the future.

The YMCA is a gift that we have received (it was already here when we were born). It is a gift that we should give to future generations.

Many friends of the YMCA are helping to extend its influence beyond their own lifetimes with gifts of a part of the assets they have accumulated to the YMCA’s permanent endowment. Such gifts can be directed to support the overall work of the YMCA or can be designated to support a specific YMCA branch or program.

The nation’s tax laws provide incentives that encourage philanthropy, in recognition of the singular role charitable organizations (including the YMCA) play in meeting important needs in our society. Depending on the specific arrangement, you can expect some or all of the following benefits of a well-designed gift to the YMCA’s endowment:

• income tax savings through the charitable deduction for the value of the gift;

• avoidance of the capital-gains tax on contributions of certain kinds of property that have increased in value over time;

• income for life, for a donor and/or other beneficiaries;

• the possibility of increased spendable income with certain arrangements;

• elimination of federal estate tax on the value of a gift passing to the YMCA upon the donor’s death;

• reduced estate settlement costs.

When the YMCA is aware of your financial as well as philanthropic objectives, we can help formulate a plan that takes full advantage of the available tax benefits while at the same time fulfilling your desire to benefit future generations of children and families through the YMCA.

There are a variety of gift plans that are being employed by friends of the YMCA to meet personal and family tax, estate, and charitable planning objectives.

The YMCA welcomes the opportunity to confidentially discuss one or more of these options with prospective donors.

Heritage Club: Recognizing Gifts to the YMCA Endowment

The Heritage Club is an organization of those men and women who are helping perpetuate the YMCA’s influence on future generations of youth and families through their gifts and commitments to the YMCA Endowment.

Individuals and couples have qualified to become members of the Heritage Club in one or more of the following ways:

• making an outright gift of money, securities, property, or other marketable assets to the YMCA Endowment;

• creating a charitable remainder trust, pooled income fund, or life estate gift to benefit the YMCA Endowment;

• naming the YMCA Endowment as a beneficiary of a new or existing life insurance policy.

• naming the YMCA Endowment to receive a bequest in a will or living trust.

Gifts and commitments may be directed to benefit the overall work of the YMCA or can be designated to support a particular community branch YMCA or program. It is the commitment, rather than the amount, that is the overriding factor in qualifying for membership in the Heritage Club.

These special friends of the YMCA gather once each year to renew old friendships, once again receive the heartfelt thanks of the association for their farsighted and concerned generosity, and to hear first-hand how current endowment funds are being used to further the work of the YMCA.

Procedural Considerations

Donors are urged to seek their own independent legal and/or accounting counsel in matters relating to Endowment Fund gifts, bequests and deferred gifts, particularly with reference to tax consequences and estate planning.

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