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News & Media AOPA Foundation Legacy Challenge kicks off with generous gift

AOPA Foundation Legacy Challenge kicks off with generous gift

Donors' gifts will have greater impact

September 1, 2021 By Eric Blinderman

The AOPA Foundation Legacy Challenge, fueled by a $1 million pledge from the anonymous donor, allows participants to have a greater impact on the programs that the foundation funds. These initiatives, You Can Fly and the AOPA Air Safety Institute, build a stronger, safer pilot community, and ensure a healthy future for general aviation for generations to come.

The AOPA Legacy Court is a standing reminder of the many donors to the AOPA Foundation that will help ensure AOPA's sustainability for years to come. Photo by Chris Rose.
The AOPA Legacy Court is a standing reminder of the many donors to the AOPA Foundation that will help ensure AOPA's sustainability for years to come. Photo by Chris Rose.

The AOPA Foundation Legacy Society attracts donors who see fit to include a gift to GA in their current and future giving plans.

“Joining the Legacy Society allows our members to give back to a passion that has given us all so much,” said Melissa Rudinger, executive director of the AOPA Foundation. “This amazing gift from a special person allows our new Legacy Society members to make an immediate impact by documenting their future legacy gift.”

For each supporter who joins the Legacy Society after September 1, Legacy Challenge funds in an amount equal to 10 percent of the supporter’s disclosed planned gift will be activated from the $1 million pool, up to $20,000 per commitment, and made available for the essential programs the AOPA Foundation funds. For example, if a supporter documents a planned gift of $50,000, a $5,000 Legacy Challenge gift will be activated. If the value of a planned gift is left undisclosed, $1,000 in Legacy Challenge funds will be activated.

The Legacy Challenge will be active until the full $1 million is released.

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The AOPA Foundation Legacy Society recognizes those who have included a legacy gift to the foundation in their estate plans. To join, donors are asked to inform the foundation of their intention to provide a future legacy gift. Legacy Society members’ names are listed on our Legacy Society recognition wall in Legacy Court at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, as well as in the AOPA Foundation’s annual report.

Qualifying planned gifts include bequests through a will or trust, beneficiary designations from a retirement account or bank account, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, beneficiary designations of a life insurance policy (the Legacy Challenge value would be based on the existing cash amount in the policy), or the creation of a fully endowed fund.

For more information on legacy giving, visit the AOPA Foundation Legacy Giving webpage, or contact the AOPA Foundation by phone at 301-695-2320 or by email.

Alyssa J. Miller

Eric Blinderman

Senior Director of Communications
Eric Blinderman is AOPA’s Senior Director of Communications. Eric joined AOPA in 2020 after several years at leading marketing/communications agencies in New York and is looking forward to putting his newly minted private pilot certificate to work.
Go to Eric Blinderman's Profile
Topics: AOPA Foundation, You Can Fly, AOPA Air Safety Institute

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