Leaving a Legacy
Vesper Concerts
Encore Endowment Fund
Create Musical Memories with a Planned Gift
Vesper Concerts is excited to announce our new endowment fund, which allows donors to financially contribute through planned giving. Such gifts include bequests, life insurance, retirement plans, and personal property. See our “Ways to Give” section below to discover more.
View our Gift Acceptance Policy as well as information regarding our Policy and Guidelines in our FAQ section.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Kristi Treu at kristi@vesperconcerts.org or Board President Darold Bauer at daroldbauer@cox.net.
About the Dana Sloan Legacy Society
The Dana Sloan Society honors individuals who include Vesper Concerts in their estate plans or long-term financial giving. Named for our beloved founder, Dana Sloan, this society reflects his unwavering belief that great music should be freely accessible to all.
By joining the Dana Sloan Legacy Society, you help secure the future of Vesper Concerts – supporting artists, audiences, and music lovers for generations to come. As a member of the Dana Sloan Legacy Society, you will receive recognition in concert programs and on our website, invitations to exclusive Society events and behind-the-scenes opportunities, and the joy of knowing your gift will sustain music for future audiences.
Legacy gifts can take many forms, depending on what works best for you:
– A bequest in your will or trust
– Naming Vesper Concerts as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund
– A directed gift to our new Endowment Fund
These gifts are often simple to arrange and cost nothing today, yet they have a profound and lasting impact. Learn about more ways to give below.
Levels of Recognition
Encore Circle | Share your intent to make a planned gift to Vesper Concerts
Overture Circle | $1 – 999
Charter Circle | $1,000 – 2,499
Founder’s Circle | $2,500+
Why Support Vesper Concerts?
Our organization brings the joy of wonderful music to our community, creating moments of joy, reflection, and inspiration. Your support helps sustain this cherished tradition, allowing us to continue offering world-class music in a spiritually uplifting environment. Your impact as a donor cannot be overstated. Your donations preserve a beloved tradition by keeping our concerts free to the Omaha community, enhance our music mission, and inspire future generations of both musicians and concertgoers.
Impact: Where Does Your Gift Go?
performance fees
Your planned giving allows us to find new and exciting musicians to bring to Omaha. It also allows us to keep our concerts free for all.
educational outreach
Part of the endowment fund aids musicians in providing educational outreach opportunities to local students, including masterclasses and workshops.
travel & housing
You can help provide transportation and housing for musicians who are coming to Omaha from all over the country.
endow a concert or reception
Collaborate with the board to explore endowment opportunities.
Ways to Give
Cash
Bills and checks are accepted within our endowment fund.
Publicly Traded Securities
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can provide tax benefits while supporting the future of Vesper Concerts.
Distributions from IRA's or Other Types of Retirement Plans
If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax-smart gift directly from your IRA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or name Vesper Concerts as a beneficiary of your retirement account.
Bequests (Gifts of Cash or Securities made as part of a Will or Trust)
A bequest is a gift made through your will or living trust, allowing you to support Vesper Concerts with a lasting legacy without affecting your assets during your lifetime.
Sample Bequest Language:
General Bequest (Unrestricted): “I give and bequeath to Vesper Concerts, a nonprofit organization located in Omaha, Nebraska, the sum of $______ (or ___% of my estate, or description of asset) to be used for its general purposes.”
Endowment-Specific Bequest: “I give and bequeath to Vesper Concerts, a nonprofit organization located in Omaha, Nebraska, the sum of $______ (or ___% of my estate, or description of asset) to be added to the Encore Endowment Fund, to support the long-term mission of Vesper Concerts.”
Residual Bequest: “I give and bequeath all (or a portion of) the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to Vesper Concerts, a nonprofit organization located in Omaha, Nebraska, for its general purposes (or to support the Encore Endowment Fund).”
You may wish to consult your attorney or financial advisor to ensure your bequest aligns with your personal estate planning goals.
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations
You can name Vesper Concerts as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy, turning a modest investment into a meaningful future gift.
Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designations
You can name Vesper Concerts as a beneficiary of your retirement policy, turning a modest investment into a meaningful future gift.
Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)
If you are 73 or older, you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your retirement accounts each year. By donating all or a portion of your RMD to the Vesper Concerts through a QCD, you can reduce your taxable income while making a significant charitable contribution.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ or older to donate up to $100,000 annually from their IRA directly to a qualified charity, such as Vesper Concerts.
Property
A gift of real estate or other valuable property can make a lasting impact on our mission and may offer significant tax advantages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Encore Endowment Fund?
The Encore Endowment Fund is a permanent fund established to support the long-term sustainability of Vesper Concerts. Gifts to the Fund are invested, with earnings helping to ensure that future generations can enjoy free, high-quality musical performances.
How is my gift to the Endowment used?
Gifts to the Encore Endowment Fund are invested, and only a portion of the earnings is used annually to support Vesper Concerts. This ensures your gift has a lasting impact.
What is legacy giving?
Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, is a way to make a charitable gift through your estate or long-term financial planning. This can include bequests, beneficiary designations in retirement plans and life insurance, donor-advised funds, and other giving vehicles.
How can I include Vesper Concerts in my will or estate plan?
You can include a simple bequest in your will or name Vesper Concerts as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or donor-advised fund. Sample language can be found in the Ways to Give menu below.
What are the benefits of making a legacy gift?
Legacy giving allows you to leave a lasting impact, support an organization you value, and potentially receive tax advantages. It’s also a powerful way to align your personal values with your financial goals.
Can I designate my gift for a specific purpose?
Yes. While unrestricted gifts to the Encore Endowment Fund provide the most flexibility, you may also discuss designated purposes with us to ensure your wishes align with Vesper Concerts’ mission and long-term plans.
Do I need to be wealthy to make a legacy gift?
Not at all. Legacy gifts come in many forms and sizes. Even a modest bequest can make a significant difference over time, especially when invested through the endowment.
Is my gift to the Encore Endowment Fund tax-deductible?
Yes. Vesper Concerts is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Tax ID number is 56-2385736. All contributions to the Endowment Fund or through legacy giving are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Should I notify Vesper Concerts of my legacy gift?
Yes, if you’re comfortable doing so. Letting us know about your gift allows us to thank you, recognize you (if desired), and ensure we understand your intentions. A Legacy Gift Intention Form can be found above.
Who can I contact to learn more about legacy giving or the Encore Endowment Fund?
Please contact Kristi Treu, Executive Director, or a member of our Board of Advisors to learn more. We are happy to answer your questions and help you explore giving options that are meaningful to you.