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Welcome to the Southwest Florida Symphony





 

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.


 
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