“We
decided that Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is one of the organizations that is
most significant to western Pennsylvania.”
For and About
Members & Donors
Many charitable
organizations are worthy of your contributions. However, you often can make
the best use of your resources by focusing your efforts on one or two
organizations that mean the most to you.
Chuck and Jill Brodbeck have made Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh a
major focus of their charitable efforts. Says Chuck, “A friend recommended
that we narrow the focus of our charitable giving. We looked around and
decided that Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is one of the organizations that
is most significant to western Pennsylvania. Carnegie Museums has a broad
reach—both culturally and educationally.”
Chuck, a lawyer, is employed by the firm of Cohen & Grigsby,
where he is past president. He first became involved with Carnegie Museums as
a member of the corporation’s Major Gifts Committee, on which he still
serves. Last year, he and Jill joined the Carnegie Patrons Circle. The
Carnegie Patrons Circle recognizes donors who make leadership gifts to the
annual sustaining fund, and entitles them to attend special previews,
parties, and other events.
Chuck and Jill enjoy attending the special events. “We attended the
pre-show for the Carnegie Gem & Mineral Show,” Chuck recalls. “It was
fun, and a different kind of night out for us.”
A Patrons Circle event at The Andy Warhol Museum changed the
Brodbecks’ views about Andy Warhol’s art. “We were both surprised by how much
we enjoyed the museum,” Chuck remarks. “We really learned a lot from
listening to the director Tom Sokolowski talk about Andy Warhol’s influence.”
The Brodbecks were so impressed with The Warhol that they now include it
among the sites they show to guests from out of town. “The Strip District,
Mt. Washington, and The Warhol Museum are always part of our itinerary now,”
says Jill.
The Brodbecks also strongly support the museums because of their
three teenage children, Scott, Christy, and Carolyn. “Our daughter Carolyn
was recently at the Science Center for a school science event,” notes Chuck.
“The museums provide important educational resources for the local schools.”
To learn
more about becoming a member of the Carnegie Patrons Circle, please call
578-2472.
Make Tax Time Easier Next Year
Almost everyone who itemizes on their tax returns could
use an extra income tax deduction. Unfortunately, it’s probably too late to
create any deductions for 2000, but careful planning of your charitable
giving can substantially increase the deductions available to you for 2001.
Here are some tips:
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Start planning now. You probably have a better
idea of your income tax picture now than at any other time during the year.
While the desire to increase deductions is still fresh, consider the
charities you want to support this year and what you might want to do for
them.
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Give appreciated stock to charity. A gift of
publicly traded stock that you have held for more than a year that has
increased in value gives you a charitable income tax deduction for the full
value of the stock. At the same time, you avoid the capital gains tax on the
appreciation that you would incur if you sold the stock.
§
If concerns about income have prevented you from
considering a gift of an income-producing asset such as appreciated stock or
cash in a savings account, consider using the asset to purchase a
charitable gift annuity from Carnegie Museums. A charitable gift annuity
may give you fixed payments for life greater than the interest or dividends
you are currently receiving, as well as an immediate income tax deduction. If
you don’t need the income right now, payments may be deferred without
deferring the deduction.
§
Don’t forget gifts of art works or other objects
to Carnegie Museums. Gifts of art works or other objects that are
suitable for our collections usually entitle the donor to an income tax
deduction for the full fair market value of the object. It may also be
possible to obtain an immediate income tax deduction for a gift of part of
your ownership interest in an object.
While you’re finishing last year’s return,
why not discuss some of the above possibilities for this year with your tax
advisor? We’d be happy to help. Just call Sally Davoren at 578-2478, or send
her an e-mail message at davorens@carnegiemuseums.org.
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