Planned Giving - Detroit Opera

The Avanti Society – Ensuring the Future

Imagine a gift that outlives you, allowing future generations to experience and enjoy the world of opera and dance. That’s the goal of The Avanti Society, Detroit Opera’s Planned Gift Recognition Program.

The Italian word avanti means “ahead,” or “forward.” The Avanti Society at Detroit Opera represents a designated group of friends of Detroit Opera who have made plans to include the organization in their estate plans – whether by will, trust, insurance, or life income arrangement. Membership in The Avanti Society is open to all.

In thanks for their generous support, Avanti Society members are given special benefits and recognition for their heartfelt commitment to Detroit Opera.

Membership benefits to The Avanti Society include:

  • Your name(s) listed in the opera and dance program books under the Avanti Society listing
  • An annual Avanti Society event held exclusively for members of the Avanti Society
  • Invitations to special events and previews
  • An Avanti Society lapel pin

You may download and mail in the confidential reply form to indicate your gift or contact Carmen Szurpicki, Major Gifts Officer at 313.965.4271 or cszurpicki@detroitopera.org.

Planned Giving

Planned giving, or charitable gift planning, refers to the process of making a charitable gift bequest as part of estate planning. It is a process that requires serious consideration in light of the donor’s overall estate plan.

Planned gifts are usually, but not always, deferred, meaning they are arranged now and fulfilled later. For example, a person could include a provision in his or her will to make a bequest to Detroit Opera. That arrangement would be a planned gift.

A donor’s personal satisfaction is increased in planned giving because he/she can make a larger gift and “experience” the implication of his/her gift during his/her lifetime.

Planned gifts can provide the donor with many benefits. The benefits can include an immediate charitable income tax deduction, even though the charity may not receive the gift until a future date; deferral or avoidance of capital gains taxes on gifts of appreciated securities; retained increased income to the donor and/or their family; possible assistance in asset diversification, and most importantly, support for charity.

Donate online to the Detroit Opera’s Endowment Fund via the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Endowing Your Gift

What does endowing your gift mean? It means making your gift last forever.

For example, take an annual gift of $1,500. How much would it take to endow the gift so that a charitable organization could receive that amount indefinitely? Since the majority of nonprofits’ policy for spending endowment income is 5% annually, simply divide the annual gift amount of $1,500 by 5% and you get $30,000. Consequently, making an endowment gift of $30,000 can continue the $1,500 annual gift indefinitely. In other words, give a little now and make the gift last forever, in perpetuity.

Endowing your gift is a way for you to play a special part in perpetuating a cause that means a lot to you and will provide a steady dependable source of income to Detroit Opera. With a significant endowment, Detroit Opera will be able to expand its repertoire, develop new productions, fund programs at the Ford Center for Arts and Learning, and continue the company’s rich tradition of featuring minority artists, works and productions. In addition, as this fund grows, we will be able to receive larger annual distributions to help with our general operations. Consequently, you help us ensure the future and support the present at the same time with your gifts.

You may contribute to the Unrestricted General Endowment Fund at Detroit Opera at any level, or set up a specific Named Endowment Fund for the purpose of your choice. Setting up an endowment could be the most farsighted and enduring act of your lifetime!

For questions regarding estate planning, planned giving and endowment contact:

Carmen Szurpicki
Major Gifts Officer
313.965.4271
cszurpicki@detroitopera.org

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