Giving
Make A Difference
The SAA is a charitable nonprofit organization serving over 8,000 members and over 200,000 students, parents, and other professionals. A tax-exempt 501-C3 organization, the SAA can accept charitable gifts in order that we may add value to our programs and services. In the last five years, the SAA has received over $240,000 in tax-deductible donations that funded a variety of programs, including the following:
- Parent Education
- Teacher Development
- Annual Fund
We would not be able to add such significant value to your membership without the help of hundreds who have been so generous over the years. Also, we could not make plans for future SAA programs without your personal investment in our financial well-being. We want to thank you and encourage your continued giving.
Together, we all can make a difference in perpetuating Shinichi Suzuki’s vision into this century and beyond.
Please make checks out to “Suzuki Association of the Americas”, and put the specific fund name on the memo line.
Giving FAQ
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, all donations made to the SAA are tax-deductible for United States citizens. We provide you with a receipt for tax purposes.
What types of gifts does the SAA accept?
The SAA will accept your cash gift (through check or credit card), gifts of shares of stock and mutual funds, and gifts of real or personal property. We are honored to accept planned gifts such as bequests, life insurance policies, 401Ks, IRA’s and other retirement plans. We plan to expand services to provide charitable gift annuities and trusts which provide income.
Can my gift fund a specific program?
Yes. Although we encourage undesignated gifts, you may direct your gift to assist any of our programs. Consider establishing an endowment to provide perpetual funding for the program in which you have an interest.
Who can I speak with about my intentions?
The SAA Board of Directors is qualified to assist you with questions about your charitable giving intentions. The SAA development staff is also available at any time; we have expertise in planned giving techniques and would welcome the opportunity to work with you and your financial advisor(s). We always recommend you contact your financial and legal advisors when considering large charitable gifts to any nonprofit organization.
Memorial and Tribute Gifts
Over the years, the SAA has been the recipient of many of your charitable gifts in memory of loved ones—teachers, parents, students—who have passed on. We will acknowledge your gift and inform family members of the donation. If you would like to make a gift in memory of someone, simply include a note to that effect with your gift.
Likewise, if you would like to make a gift in honor of someone or to celebrate a special occasion, simply include a note with your gift and we will be sure to notify that person of your gift.
Established Endowment, Scholarship and Memorial Funds
Adam Lesinsky Memorial Scholarship
Alberta Denk Memorial Scholarship
Arline Hunter Memorial Scholarship
Art Montzka Memorial Scholarship
Clifford Cook Memorial Scholarship
David Einfeldt Memorial Scholarship
Doris Koppelman Scholarship Fund
Gwendoline Thornblade Scholarship—biennial, even years
Heidi Kennel Memorial Scholarship
Jeanne Beile Memorial Scholarship
Joe Cleveland Memorial Scholarship
John and Catherine Kendall Memorial Teacher Development Fund
Latin American Scholarship Fund
Margery Aber Teacher Development Fund
Milton Goldberg Memorial Scholarship—biennial, odd years
Morris Offman Memorial Scholarship—biennial, odd years
Nell Novak Memorial Scholarship—2012, 2014
Shinichi Suzuki Teacher Corps Fund
Virginia Cowan Carson/Jennifer Jabs Memorial Scholarship
Yvonne Tait Memorial Scholarship
Please make checks out to “Suzuki Association of the Americas”, and put the specific fund name on the memo line.
Planned Gifts & Bequests
The ultimate personal gift can come from charitable estate planning. Many sophisticated techniques exist for you to make a gift from your estate during your lifetime—and after. One gift every SAA member should consider is a charitable bequest, or leaving the SAA as a recipient of your estate in your will.
What better way to make a lasting difference in the Suzuki community than leaving a bequest to the SAA so we can carry on the work of Shinichi Suzuki. What’s more, a bequest is a relatively easy gift to make—one that doesn’t cost anything, but can mean everything.
You can add the SAA to your will at any time. Simply consult your legal advisor about adding a clause in your will that tells your surviving family members of your intentions.
Consider leaving a percentage of your total estate to your favorite charities. Here’s why: as you grow older, your estate will grow larger. You may find that a $5,000 contribution from your estate at today’s value is a significant gift, but in 30 years, that gift will be relatively small with the rate of inflation, and the growth of your estate. Instead, consider a percentage gift, a gift that grows with the size of your estate.
Gifts of Appreciated Stock
These days donors are becoming more sophisticated in their giving and they are reaping tax benefits along with the charities! Consider a gift of appreciated stock. Appreciated stock is an excellent choice for funding charitable gifts because it can offer significant tax benefits for the donor without impacting cash flow. In fact, to offset a capital gain event during the tax year, many donors gift shares of stock or mutual funds to counter an anticipated capital gain tax.
Here’s an example of how a gift of stock can work: Bob and Jane have held a company’s stock for twenty years. It has appreciated greatly during that time, so much so that their cost basis is just 10 percent of the current value.
| Option X: Keeping the proceeds | Option Y: Making a charitable gift | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock value | $50,000 | Stock value | $50,000 |
| Cost basis | $5,000 | Cost basis | Does not matter |
| Capital gain | $45,000 | Capital gain | Avoided |
| Capital gains tax (20%) | $9,000 | Capital gains tax | $0 |
| Brokerage fee (est.) | $500 | Brokerage fee (est.) | $0 |
| Value of sale | $40,500 | Value of gift and charitable deduction | $50,000 |
Typically, selling an appreciated stock triggers a tax on the realized gain—the difference between what you paid to purchase the stock and its current value. When you make a gift of appreciated stock directly to your favorite charity and the charity sells the stock, the taxable event and the fees are avoided because the charity is tax-exempt. Plus the donor can take a sizable charitable deduction on his/her taxes—a deduction that can be used to offset other taxable events. It’s truly a win-win situation for everyone (except for the IRS).
Contact the SAA office if you are interested in making a gift of appreciated stock or mutual fund shares. Also contact your tax adviser for answers to questions about your particular situation.
