Giving Opportunities

It's a wonderful thing that people are living longer than ever before, they are living in their own homes and remaining independent longer than ever before and the programs of Senior Services, Inc. are caring for more people than ever before.

This very wonderful thing also brings with it a problem . . . more need than funding available. Federal and State funds continue to decrease in comparison to the growth rate of the senior population. Nonprofit service providers like Senior Services, Inc. are preparing for the "Senior Boom"! We must prepare with appropriate programs and necessary funding to assure that every senior in Kalamazoo County has the opportunity to age with dignity, proper nutrition, necessary personal care and counseling when needed. We are the experts in our community on aging and with over 37 years of experience, we have accepted the responsibility to care, regardless of the financial ability to pay.

In 1997, you will continue to see many fund-raising efforts in our community and we, here at Senior Services, Inc., will also be struggling to meet goals to fund programs with many mailings and fund-raising events. However, we have decided to focus on two areas that will benefit the agency today and build a secure future for tomorrow.

The FRIENDS ANNUAL FUND and planned giving and bequests.

In 1997, we will be introducing Forever Friends, a planned giving and bequest recognition society that already has many charter members. These two focus areas benefit all of the individual programs by strengthening the whole agency.

The Many Ways To Give
There are many ways to give a gift and there are many types of gifts to give. The most common gift is a cash gift, however, gifts may be given in the form of personal property, real estate, stocks, bonds or insurance policies. The giving of an appreciated asset can save the donor many dollars in taxes. Listed below are some examples of gifts and a brief definition.

Endowment gift A gift for endowment is an investment in a permanent fund that earns money for the charity every year thereafter.
 
Property gift A gift of property that has value but which you no longer need. Often a gift of property, especially property that has grown in value, can provide a large gift at less cost.

Bequest A will that provides a gift for the charity's endowment to perpetuate the donor's interest in the future.

Charitable gift annuity The exchange of property for a better guaranteed income for the rest of your life that also provides tax benefits.

Stock, Securities and Mutual Funds A gift of appreciated stock or securities can be a major tax benefit to the donor while creating a current gift to the charity.

For more information, please contact Debra Mixis, Director of Fund Development at (616) 382-0515