Endowment Campaign

You can help underwrite a community legacy. As our great art center comes to fruition, it is the time to build on the developing momentum. The leadership of The Bascom adopted goals in 2006 for an ample Endowment Fund to sustain our institution and its mission.

To sustain excellence in our regional art center, the goal for our Bascom Endowment Fund is $10 million in commitments by 2018. These will be permanent funds invested so that the income can fund renowned art education and exhibitions, as well as major maintenance on our campus.

We invite our members and friends to consider estate gift plans and pledges to build this endowment. Your support will underwrite unique visual art experiences for your grandchildren’s grandchildren and for many more future art lovers.

Planning for Life Goals and Charitable Gifts

Life planning goals most often begin with retirement and financial security, assisting your loved ones, and taking care of business interests. Your professional advisors partner with you on these important goals.

Some life milestones provide opportunities to integrate your financial plans with your charitable giving interests. For example:

1. You own highly appreciated assets that are not essential to your income base or portfolio
2. You want to fund your donation with proceeds from sale of property
3. You are over age 70.5 and have ample taxable IRA funds in 2007
4. You want to secure retirement income and make a deferred gift
5. You want to diversify your portfolio and make a tax efficient donation
6. You want to provide for special needs of a loved one in the near term and make a deferred gift

Legacy Gifts

A legacy gift started The Bascom 50 years ago. Watson Barratt established this permanent gallery, then called the Bascom-Louise Gallery, to display art created by regional artists with a bequest. Barratt was a successful Broadway set designer, and his wife Louise Bascom was the daughter of early Highlands settlers and a gifted writer. Barratt and Bascom bequeathed their family home to the Hudson Library to sell following the death of their beloved housekeeper, who resided in their home after their deaths.

Every one of us leaves a legacy. Our life story, our family, and our financial estate are part of that legacy. We also have the opportunity to pass on our values through legacy gifts. Gifts to charitable organizations can be both rewarding personally and beneficial for tax purposes.

The Bascom leaders would like to talk with you about adding support for our art center as an aspect of your legacy.

Growing The Bascom Endowment Fund

The Art Center Mission – a vibrant visual art center to provide inspiration through education and exhibition

The Means – the philanthropy of hundreds of families who have drawn inspiration from the Highlands Plateau region and the beauty of artistic expression here

The Outcome – planned gifts yield permanent endowment funds to provide for the edification and enjoyment of future generations

Possible Planned Giving Examples Include:

1. Appreciated Securities/Properties
2. Charitable Gift Annuity
3. Life Insurance Policies
4. Charitable Remainder Trust
5. Pooled Income Fund
6. Proceeds of Future Property Sale
7. Gift of Home Retaining Life Estate
8. Bequest Gifts

We’ll proudly add your name to our lobby donor wall when you make your commitment.

Continuing the Legacy

Great accomplishments in life take thoughtful planning and diligent work. The leadership of The Bascom has planned and worked to reach our goal – providing a community venue for renowned art experiences in an inspiring setting.

Families accomplish their own life achievements across years of planning and work. Preparing an estate plan and a will is an invaluable exercise. After providing for your family and loved ones, please consider planning for charitable gifts from your estate.

The Bascom offers donors an opportunity to receive current recognition and to benefit generations to come. Please invite us to define a planned gift strategy that will keep on giving.