Planned giving is about finding smart ways to give that enable you to make significant contributions to the causes you care about most, including the Lakes Area Music Festival. For over a decade, LAMF has been an essential component to the vibrant cultural landscape of Minnesota. Your support enables us to bring world-class music to audiences of all ages and backgrounds through performances, education programs, and unique outreach activities.
Regardless of your age, income, or assets, you can help ensure the Lakes Area Music Festival remains a creative cultural force, powering positive change in our region and in the world of classical music. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to sustain the festival's future is with a planned or deferred gift. By considering your philanthropic legacy and establishing a gift to the Lakes Area Music Festival today, you ensure a lasting difference for future generations.
Have you left a gift to LAMF? Let us know so we can thank you now!
“A number of years ago we designated the Lakes Area Music Festival as a beneficiary in our estate planning. We felt that this was a way to ensure the continuation of fine music in the lives of future generations in our area. The LAMF has led an important role in supporting and encouraging arts education in the greater northern lakes area of Minnesota. They have provided the very best in the arts educational opportunities for our audience of today and for the audience of the tomorrow. They have enriched, inspired and served this community well and have come to be recognized for their artistic excellence. We are thankful for the opportunity of being exposed to great performing artists and entertainers from our area and from around the country who provide enrichment of the best in music.
I consider it my extreme pleasure to work with and support this fine organization.”
–Norma N. Neumann
Learn More
Would you like to learn more about tax-smart ways to leave a lasting impact on the organizations and causes you care about most? Through our partnership with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, we can work with your financial advisor or estate planner to identify opportunities to maximize your impact on the Lakes Area Music Festival. Read more about different ways to give below, and contact us to begin crafting your legacy.
Don Shier
Development Director
don@lakesareamusic.org
(763) 757-7277
Terri Foster
Executive Director, BLACF
tfoster@communitygiving.org
(320) 257-9742
What is a Planned Gift?
Establishing a planned gift provides you with important tax benefits while supporting our mission for generations to come. There are many smart ways to give:
Many of the Lakes Area Music Festival's annual supporters contribute thousands of dollars to charity each year, but they miss-out on important tax deductions because they don't pass the threshold for the standard deduction. Donor Advised Funds offer one way to experience the tax benefit now for gifts made in the future. By contributing a lump sum to a donor advised fund with the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (or other financial institution) representing future gifts over several years, you can claim the tax deduction now for the philanthropic gifts you plan to make for many years to come.
A simple, flexible and versatile way to sustain the mission of the Lakes Area Music Festival for generations to come is with a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest. Many of our Legacy Society members have made this type of gift by adding as little as one sentence to their will. Through their bequest, they're able to designate a percentage or set amount of their estate to the ongoing support of LAMF, while maintaining the flexibility to make changes as their family grows and priorities change.
Retirement plans and life insurance policies are a couple of ways to make the Lakes Area Music Festival part of your legacy, separate from your will. Many of our supporters choose this type of gift because they have the flexibility to review and adjust anytime they wish. By designating a part or all of their life insurance or retirement account to a nonprofit, they can ensure their hard-earned savings make a difference and avoid costly tax implications for their family.
When supporting the Lakes Area Music Festival, you shouldn’t feel like you are choosing between your philanthropic goals and financial security. One way to support our work while receiving an income for life is by establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity or Remainder Trust. Audience members who make this type of gift receive regular payments of disposable income while also supporting our work. During their lifetime, they receive many tax benefits when they itemize, and the remainder of the trust continues to sustain LAMF's programs after their death.
Contact us to learn more about Charitable Gift Annuities and Remainder Trusts.
Let Us Know
If you have already included LAMF in your estate plans, please let us know so that we can thank you! We want to welcome you as a member of our Legacy Society and show our gratitude for your transformative support.
Contact Don Shier for a confidential conversation, or simply notify us online.
Have you left a gift to LAMF? Let us know so we can thank you now!
LAMF Legacy Society
Member Benefits
In recognition of their generous support, members of the Legacy Society receive the following benefits:
- Individual recognition in the festival program book and annual impact report as a Legacy Society member
- Subscription to quarterly Inside the Orchestra newsletter
- Invitation for two to:
- an off-season virtual gathering with LAMF leadership and musicians
- season announcement reception
- all pre-concert receptions during the festival season
- backstage tour of the opera production
- end of season toast
- Concierge ticket services with reserved seating for 4
- Access to a special end of season celebration with the musicians and LAMF leadership
Current Legacy Society Members
James and Meredith Bloedel
Mary and David Boran
Susan Brown
Warren and Jane Kleinsasser
Roger and Kathy Lykins
Scott Lykins
Curt and Sandy Nielsen
Norma Neumann
Deb Prazak
Carol Russell
Susan Smallwood Schilson
John Sullivan
Dave and Marlys Thies
John Taylor Ward
Don Wennberg
Gervaise Wilhelm
Susan Znameroski