So much of what you do becomes part of the lives you touch. The example you set. The traits they see in you and seek to reflect. But what if it were possible to have the good you do live on forever. That's the mission of the YMCA Heritage Club, to enable men and women who share the YMCA's ideals and traditions to ensure this valued heritage continues for future generations.

The YMCA Heritage Club's purpose is to encourage thoughtful gifts as a primary means of building a strong endowment capable of providing lasting support for the YMCA's mission and then to recognize members whose leadership, service and devotion to the YMCA have created this heritage.

A commitment to Heritage Club membership is the greatest statement of support to the mission of the YMCA that a friend of the Y can make and becomes the catalyst for more good than could ever be done on your own. o:p>

The YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area is committed to strengthening the spirit, mind and body of children and families within our community. One of the most influential means of realizing this commitment is made possible by members of our YMCA's Heritage Club. While part of a greater 150-year old family of YMCAs, the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area is independent and makes its own decisions based on local community needs. This means your gift will benefit your community directly. Your neighborhoods, your neighbors.  Families you may know will receive the rewards of your choice today and for years to come.

The Heritage Club is composed of individuals from all backgrounds, communities and walks of life who have made an outright or planned gift to the YMCA's endowment fund in one of the following ways:

·        An outright gift of cash - In this way, each member not only benefits from the good that will be done but also from current income tax savings;

·        An outright gift of appreciated assets - Contributing such items as stock or property owned for longer than one year, you would receive a charitable deduction equal to the current value of the assets while avoiding capital gains taxes.

·        A life insurance gift - Naming the YMCA as a primary or secondary beneficiary of your policy paves the way for a large future gift. Should you wish to contribute a life insurance policy that is no longer needed to protect current beneficiaries, you could realize substantial income tax deductions.

·        A gift through your will - You may wish to consider including the YMCA in your will or living trust. In this way, a fixed amount, specific asset or percentage of your estate may be set aside as bequests and qualify for estate deductions.

 ·      A gift made through a charitable trust or annuity – Creating a charitable trust or annuity  provides life income for yourself and/or others. With all or a portion of your gift eventually directed to the YMCA, you could receive a charitable deduction.ys
hould I give?<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p>

While there are as many reasons as there are YMCA Heritage Club members, perhaps the most common is: "Just because it feels good." Consult your own legal and/or financial advisors, then ask Robert E. Carlson, President/CEO of the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area, to assist you in selecting a gift that best expresses your generosity and also meets your own personal needs!  

For more information on the scholarship assistance provided by the YMCA, please click here.