ANNUAL FUND
Gifts to the Annual Fund ensure that the Symphony will continue to bring the finest
orchestral programs to our community. Annual Fund gifts help to provide artistic
excellence, vibrant programming, and stimulating educational and community
outreach programs.
Annual gifts are put to immediate use by the Symphony to hire guest artists,
conductors, musicians, staff, develop artistic and educational programs, present
concerts, and fund operational expenses.
The Southwest Florida Symphony is grateful for the generous support it receives
each year. This investment reflects the commitment from the community to the
Symphony’s health and vitality, and the interest in its past, present and future.
Gifts of all sizes are meaningful and are critical to the Symphony's continued
growth and success.
PATRON ($25-$49)
• Donor listing in the season concert program
FRIEND ($50-$99)
Receive the benefits of Patron donors plus:
• An invitation to the annual meeting
APPLAUSE ($100-$249)
Receive the benefits of the Friend level plus:
• An invitation to an orchestra dress rehearsal
• A backstage tour of Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
BRAVO ($250-$499)
Receive the benefits of the Applause level plus:
• A gift certificate for 2 tickets to a classical concert of your choice
OVATION ($500-$1,199)
Receive the benefits of the Bravo level plus:
• An invitation to the Conductor’s Circle Club
• An invitation to the Young Artist Competition
CONDUCTOR'S
CIRCLE CLUB
For those donating $1,200 or more annually, we
have a special club for
you with even more benefits! Click
here to find out more.
NEW ERA FUND
The New Era Fund was created to help the Symphony complete the transition of
hiring a new Maestro. As we welcome Michael Hall, Music Director, and experience
all the excitement he brings for the future, the challenges of “making ends meet”
remains a top priority.
The New Era Fund will provide funding to:
• Continue our commitment to musical excellence at all levels
• Assist with fiscal sustainability for the future
• Develop new audiences in new communities in Lee County
• Strengthen educational and community outreach programs
Dedicated Symphony lovers are stepping up to make an investment in the future.
If you’d like to make an additional gift to The New Era Fund, contact the Director
of Development at 239.418.0996.
MATCHING GIFTS
Do you work for or are you retired from a company that will match your gift to the
Southwest Florida Symphony? Corporate matching gifts provide the opportunity to
double, maybe even triple, your personal contribution. If you are not sure whether
your company will match a gift to a performing arts organization, you can search for
your company’s policy using the CASE website (Council for Advancement and
Support of Education).
The matching gift process is initiated by the donor who must contact their company
for the required forms. The total value of the matching gift and the individual’s
gift is recognized in Symphony donor lists.
ENCORE
IRA PROVISION
The charitable IRA legislation is back for a repeat performance.
Don't miss this second-chance opportunity to
make tax-free gifts from your IRA!
There's good news for individuals aged 70½ or older with individual
retirement
accounts. Thanks to the extended charitable IRA legislation, you can once
again
make outright gifts using IRA funds without tax complications.
If you are required to receive minimum distributions
from your IRA and you do
not need the money for personal use, consider using those funds as a charitable
gift. While you cannot claim a charitable deduction for the IRA gifts,
you will not
pay income tax on the amount.
You may contribute funds this way if:
· You are 70½ or older
· Your IRA gifts total $100,000 or less each year in 2008 and 2009
· You transfer funds directly from an IRA to the Southwest Florida
Symphony
· You transfer the gifts outright to a qualified charity. (This
excludes gifts made
to charitable trusts, donor advised funds and supporting organizations.)
The Benefits—Music to Your Ears!
· In most cases, the transfer counts toward
your minimum required distributions.
· The gift generates neither taxable
income nor a tax deduction, so even those
who do not itemize their tax returns receive the benefit.
· You may transfer up to $100,000
directly from your IRA in 2008 and 2009.
· The distributions may be in addition to or fulfill any charitable
giving you
have already planned.
The Next Step
Be sure to contact your tax professional and your IRA administrator if
you are
considering a gift under this law. Please call the Director of Development
at
239-418-0996 with any questions.
GIFTS OF SECURITIES
Gifts of securities are valued at the median price on the date of transfer
to the
Symphony. Capital gains on the amount of appreciation may be avoided and,
depending on the donor’s personal tax situation, they may receive a tax deduction
of the full market value of the stock. For information on how to make a gift of
securities, contact the Director of Development at 239.418.0996.
TRIBUTE GIFTS
Tribute gifts are a unique way of honoring a family member or friend. A charitable
gift may be made to commemorate a special event such as a birthday, wedding,
anniversary, noted achievement, or retirement. Tribute gifts are also a thoughtful
expression of condolence or as a remembrance memorial. The individual or family
that you designate will receive a letter notifying them of the tribute gift (with no
reference to the amount), which is tax-deductible to the donor.
GIFTS OF PROPERTY
Gifts-in-kind are tangible items such as real estate, works of art, equipment,
automobiles, antiques, and similar non-monetary contributions. A gift of tangible
property may result in a tax deduction for the donor, with the amount of the
deduction determined by whether or not the gift meets the “related use” test. If
you have a question about a gift of tangible property, contact the Director of
Development at 239.418.0996.
For more information on giving to the Annual Fund, contact the Director of
Development at 239.418.0996.