The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund is specifically designed for the future, both from the points of view of ongoing support and planned future giving.
While the Museum will continue to solicit support in its annual appeal for funds to be extended in the short term, we encourage our supporters to secure our future by including the Museum in their estate planning. Our Quasi-Endowment Fund has been established with First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. and has already received significant support.
We welcome your support through a variety of gifting methods in accordance with our Gift Acceptance Policy. This policy is available for review along with a more complete description of our endowment fund by calling our office and speaking with a representative of the Museum.
The Museum is important for the future of our children. We encourage you to provide gifts that assure the future of the Children’s Museum.
WHY DO WE NEED ENDOWMENTS?
With your help, we will realize our Museum of Tomorrow. Your gift helps to continue and expand a foundation on which to ensure stability and programming excellence in the sciences, arts, and humanities. It is a gift that keeps on giving, allowing the Museum to serve the children of our community and the region for years to come.
For us to build our future, we will need gifts of all sizes. Gifts are pooled in the Fund and have a cumulative effect in making even the smallest gift significant. Every gift contributes to the overall growth of the principal, which increases the return on investments.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
You may make contributions to the Museum now or plan for gifts that may be directed to the Museum in the future. There are several ways these gifts can be provided:
Gifts of Cash: Simplicity and ease of giving are the reasons that cash is most commonly given to endowment funds.
Gifts of Stocks and Bonds: A gift of publicly traded securities may entitle you to an income tax deduction for the full market value of the securities as of the date of the gift and also may eliminate any capital gains tax you might incur if you sold the securities. Our fund administrator handles this type of transaction.
Gifts of Real Estate or Other Tangible Property: Gifts of other than cash and securities, either to be given now or as bequests, may or may not be able to be accepted. If you are considering such gifts, you should consult with the Museum during the planning process.
Gifts of Life Insurance or Retirement Accounts: You may designate the Museum as a beneficiary of your Life Insurance, IRA, or 401(k) retirement account.
A Personal Will: You may designate a bequest to the Museum as a specific amount or as a percentage of the value of the remainder after other bequests. Note that bequests of other than cash should be discussed with the Museum during the planning process to see if they are applicable.
ARE MY GIFTS DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes, your gifts to the Endowment Fund are deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent of the law. Bequests, legacies, and all gifts of value are generally exempt from federal estate and gift taxes.
HOW DO I LEARN MORE?
Our Endowment Fund Committee can provide information to acquaint you with the various types of gifts, trusts, and funds that are available through our Planned Giving Program and will be happy to answer your questions. Please contact the Museum for more information.
*This page contains general gift, estate, and financial planning material for informational purposes only. It does not provide legal or tax advice. For advice or assistance on specific gifts and decisions, please consult an attorney or other professional advisor before making a commitment.
*The official registration and financial information of the Children’s Museum, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
The Children’s Museum is a member agency of both the Columbia County United Way and the Berwick Area United Way, which together provide about 11% of our annual budget. This membership campaign will raise funds not provided by the United Way and provide for the general operating funds needed by the museum.
Please continue to support the annual United Way campaigns!
