Ann Arbor Summer Festival

Planned Giving

The Solstice Society
Imagine a gift that outlives you, allowing future generations to experience and enjoy the warmth and spirit of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. That’s the goal of The Solstice Society, the Festival’s Planned Gift Recognition Program.

As you know, the summer solstice is the day when the sun is at its highest point, signifying the beginning of summer. For us, The Solstice Society represents a designated group of friends who have included the Ann Arbor Summer Festival in their estate plans – whether by will, trust, insurance or life income arrangement. It is through this visionary generosity that the Festival will continue to spark the imaginations of future audiences, and shine brightly for many years to come.

There are a variety of ways to provide for the organization depending on your own personal and financial objectives. In addition to accepting gifts through the Festival’s Endowment Fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, some common planned giving options include:

• Bequests
• Charitable Gift Annuities
• Charitable Lead Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Gifts of Retirement Assets or Life Insurance
• Gifts of Appreciated Stock
• Gifts of Appreciated Securities or Real Estate

Members of The Solstice Society maximize their support of the Festival while realizing significant tax advantages for themselves and their heirs. Most of these gifts result in immediate tax deductions, estate tax savings and investment income.

In appreciation, members of The Solstice Society enjoy a variety of benefits, including program recognition, invitations to special events, meet-the-artist receptions, advance season notice and priority seating opportunities.

By carefully considering your gift to the Festival in conjunction with your estate and financial planning, you can take advantage of some creative opportunities that can help you maximize your assets. These gifts ensure that the Festival will continue to bring its cultural vitality to Ann Arbor: innovative artists, enthusiastic audiences, curious visitors and anyone looking to be inspired by the performing arts.

We invite you to join The Solstice Society by simply informing us that you have included the Festival in your estate plan. To learn more about planned giving options, please contact Astrid Giese, Development Director at (734) 994-5999 or agiese@umich.edu. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

Ann Arbor Summer Festival Endowment Fund
Connie Kinnear, a long-time patron and volunteer for the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, established this endowment fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation on behalf of the organization. “[As] a Board member and Treasurer of the Summer Festival, I’m interested in the Festival’s longevity and financial stability…It’s time to start asking our supporters to remember the Summer Festival in their wills and estate plans. My hope is that getting this [fund] started, we can continue to provide ‘Top of the Park’ – which is really beloved by the community – at no charge to the public for many years to come.”

(Excerpt from Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Annual Report 2005)

To make a gift to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival Endowment Fund, please send a designated check to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, specifying that you would like the funds to go to the AASF Endowment Fund. Or call the Foundation directly at (734) 663-0401.

The information provided here is intended only to provide an overview of gift options. Ann Arbor Summer Festival cannot render tax or legal advice. There are special rules, exceptions and limitations that govern the above areas. You should consult with your legal or financial advisors to see how the above techniques will affect your personal financial and tax situation.