Southwest Florida Symphony - INDIVIDUAL GIVING

INDIVIDUAL GIVING

WAYS TO GIVE
ANNUAL FUND
NEW ERA FUND
MATCHING GIFTS
ENCORE IRA PROVISION
GIFTS OF SECURITIES
TRIBUTE GIFTS
GIFTS OF PROPERTY
HOUSE A MUSICIAN

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)

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-$1299) 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 $1,300 or more annually, we have a special club for
you with even more benefits! Click here to find out more.

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). A list of companies that may match gifts is availableby clicking here.

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.

HOUSE A MUSICIAN
Gifts come in many different forms. For every concert we produce, quality musicians are a must. In order for the Symphony to continue to recruit talented musicians from around the state, housing must be provided for. The Symphony designates financial resources every year in order to provide a place for our musicians to stay while they are here. This expense can be lessened with your generous donation to house a musician or musicians. If you have a spare room, guest house or other accommodations that you would be willing to donate for a few evenings around a concert, please contact the Development Director or the Personnel Manager at 239.418.0996.

HOST HOUSING PACKET