Center in the Square

WHY SUPPORT CENTER IN THE SQUARE

SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE

The only cultural center of its size and scope in central and western Virginia, Center in the Square provides a free home and basic services worth over $2.9 million to seven arts and science organizations. With a secure roof over their heads, these organizations can focus their energy and resources on providing the best programs, exhibits, and performances.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO CENTER IN THE SQUARE

ENDOWMENT INVESTING FOR TOMORROW

By creating an endowment your contribution will generate income over the long term, looking after the needs and future of Center in the Square and all seven beneficiary organizations. The capital of your endowment gift is held and invested over a period of years, often in perpetuity, while the income is spent on present-day operational needs. Center's endowment provides financial stability eliminating the uncertainty when political currents threaten funding. Unpredictable economic fluctuations will not interrupt the wonder. All seven organizations of Center can know their rent-free leases will continue securely, so they can direct their own funds toward programming and outreach.

Financial security will also allow Center to continue to grow, renovating downtown structures to provide housing for the expanding programs of our beneficiary organizations, giving our corner of Virginia the room we need to grow.

A gift to Center's endowment will keep the wonders of art, drama, history, dance, music, and science alive for generations of young people.

"Just think of where our cities, and the people who live in them, would be, if everyone had as much imagination and devoted as much energy and care to their work as the team at Center in the Square."
-Simeon Bruner, The Bruner Foundation

INCLUDE CENTER IN THE SQUARE IN YOUR WILL

A bequest is the simplest and most popular way to make a planned gift. A bequest removes assets from your estate and reduces its exposure to federal taxes. You can designate Center in the Square to receive a percentage of your estate, the residuary of your estate, or a percentage of the residuary. The advantages to you include: you can maintaining control of your assets during your lifetime and having them distributed as you desire upon your death.

NAME CENTER IN THE SQUARE AS A BENEFICIARY OF YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN

Request the appropriate form from your plan administrator or human resource professional and include Center in the Square on your list of beneficiaries. Or name your spouse as the beneficiary of your retirement plan, who in turn can name Center as the eventual recipient. Gifting retirement assets to charitable organizations enables your heirs to avoid the high double taxation (in some cases 75%) that is associated with passing retirement assets on to non-charitable recipients.

SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Nearly 300,000 school children learn and grow from their visits to the organizations housed at Center in the Square. Over 44% of the school districts in Virginia bring their children to Center, some traveling from more than 3 hours away.

SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

By combining multiple cultural and educational attractions in a central downtown location, Center in the Square has been a catalyst in the revitalization of Roanoke's downtown community. Center's annual economic impact, conservatively estimated at $25 million, can be seen throughout downtown. From the 350 businesses which have opened in the Historic City Market area since Center's inception to the $500 million in construction and renovation projects in the downtown area, Center has and continues to make a significant impact on the region's quality of life.

LEAVE A LEGACY

The Legacy Society honors those far-sighted individuals who are ensuring a future for the arts and sciences with Center in the Square. They are leaving a legacy by designating Center as a beneficiary of their estates. Name Center in the Square among the beneficiaries of your * Will * Retirement Account * Life Insurance Policy * Trust.

Ensure that this wonderful and unique place will stand forever as a monument to the power of imagination, the strength of public-private partnerships, and the vitality of the region. Consult your financial advisor today for planning advice that suits your needs. Any gift can be made in honor or memory of special loved ones.

OUTRIGHT GIFT

Make an outright gift of cash or appreciated securities. The advantages to you include: your gift is 100% tax deductible for income tax purposes, and you can save on capital gains tax if the asset is appreciated. Outright gifts of real estate, property, and existing life insurance policies are also accepted and appreciated.

NAME CENTER IN THE SQUARE AS A BENEFICIARY OF YOUR LIFE INSURANCE

Life insurance can be a convenient and cost effective way to make a substantial gift to Center. You can name Center as a beneficiary of your policy, name Center as the owner and beneficiary of a paid policy or use life insurance to replace assets contributed to Center.

ESTABLISH A CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

A Charitable Remainder Trust uses assets that you contribute to generate income, which is paid to you, the donor, for your lifetime or a term of years. Based on the donor's desires, income is paid out in either a fixed amount or fluctuating amount based on market conditions. At the end of the term, the principal goes to Center in the Square. The donor receives a substantial tax deduction and may bypass capital gains penalties.

ESTABLISH A CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST

The Charitable Lead Trust is a helpful method for passing assets to heirs with a reduced tax burden. Established by the donor with personal assets, a Charitable Lead Trust allows Center in the Square to receive the investment income from the trust for a set term of years. At the end of the term, the principal is either returned to the donor or passed along to the donor's beneficiaries with tax savings.

Center in the Square acknowledges and shows appreciation for the supporters of the Endowment Campaign who wish to be publicly recognized. Your generosity will inspire others to follow. Even if you wish to remain anonymous, know that your gift to Center in the Square will be accepted with deep appreciation.

For more information please contact Julee Goodman Vice President of Development by phone (540) 224-1211 or by e-mail jgoodman@centerinthesquare.org