Charitable Donations to the Ethical Society of St. Louis
Providing financial support for a thriving organization, such as the Ethical Society of St. Louis,
is an ongoing challenge that continues to be met through the generosity of our members and friends.
Because of their gifts, the Society has grown and prospered for more than 100 years.
We rely on various sources of income to sustain our annual operations. Almost one-third of
our total budget is provided by income from restricted or unrestricted bequests and by special gifts
over and above normal pledges by our members and friends. Bequests and special gifts provide financial
support for special programs or other needs of the Society beyond its operating budget.
| One-Time Contributions
If you would like to make a donation to the Ethical Society of St. Louis, we would be grateful for your support. |
Each member of the St. Louis Ethical Society is expected to contribute annually to the financial well-being of the Society. Pledges from friends of the Society are also welcomed. A campaign to solicit pledges from each member of the Society is held during January and February every year. The goal of the campaign is to determine the total amount of money the members will pledge to contribute during the next fiscal year which begins on the first day of May. At the annual meeting of the membership, which is held in late April, the membership of the Society votes to approve a budget based largely on the total amount of the pledges that have been made.
New members are asked to make a pledge when they join. Guidelines for giving are published to help people decide their level of contribution. Provision is made by a waiver process to accomodate people who are not financially able to make a minimal pledge.
Sustaining Contributions
Some of the ways you can contribute to the future of the Ethical Society include:
- Providing for an unrestricted or restricted charitable gift through your will or trust. Our legal name is "The Ethical Society of St. Louis." The Legacy Committee will be happy to provide you with a list of referrals for estate attorneys.
- Naming the Ethical Society as a beneficiary of an IRA or life insurance policy. This procedure can be accomplished without an estate attorney.
- Investing in an Ethical Society Charitable Gift Annuity. This vehicle provides a tax deduction in the first year and quarterly income for the life of the donor. It, too, can be accomplished without an estate attorney.
- Transferring a remainder interest in a home, farm, or rental property while the donor maintains possession for life or an earlier designated time.
- Making a current gift of cash, stock, life insurance policy, or other appreciated property. This can have a favorable tax effect for the donor.
Donors who notify the Legacy Committee of planned estate or lifetime gifts are recognized within the Ethical Society as "Legacy Friends."
Brochures that provide more detail on the Legacy Program and estate planning strategies are available at the Ethical Society office. Please stop by and pick up a brochure at your convenience. For additional information, prospective donors should contact the .