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In July 2003 the Board of Directors took an important step for ARRL and Amateur Radio. It created the ARRL Endowment--a vital tool to secure the financial future of ARRL.
When the Board created the Development Office in 2001, it recognized that the ARRL needed to identify sources of funding beyond membership dues, fees for member services, advertising and publication sales. While these revenue streams are vital, they are dedicated to covering today's costs--not tomorrow's. In two years the Development Office has added additional resources to fund specific ARRL initiatives, including Spectrum Defense and Education. The focus has been on beefing up the "checking account" to meet the demands of current operations like representing Amateur Radio in Washington and around the world and inspiring a new generation of radio amateurs.
Last year the Board turned its attention to securing the financial future of ARRL. In creating the ARRL Endowment, the Directors created a "savings account". The Endowment will be the repository for planned gifts, gifts of appreciated property like stocks, and estate gifts, like bequests and trusts. Contributions to the Endowment will be organized into funds and invested. The earnings from those investments will be used to support ARRL mission-related purposes.
The first campaign under the umbrella of the ARRL Endowment is the W1AW Endowment campaign. With a goal of raising $2,000,000 to invest on behalf of the Hiram Percy Maxim Station, the W1AW Endowment will produce earnings to fund operations and capital needs in the years ahead.
So far, ARRL has received more than 30 estate commitments from members. The proceeds of those commitments will help build the ARRL Endowment and earn revenue to secure the organization's financial future. Members who advise ARRL of their estate plans are welcomed into the Legacy Circle. Information about The Legacy Circle is available on page four of this newsletter or on the web at www.arrl.org/lc.
The ARRL Endowment was created to perpetuate the mission of the American Radio Relay League, Inc. and for the exclusive use of ARRL. It was created to provide funding stability to meet long-term goals. Unlike fundraising campaigns undertaken to provide resources for the current operating needs of ARRL for specific efforts such as for Spectrum Defense or for the Education & Technology Program, the Endowment has been established to provide a funding resource for the future of these efforts and others that the Board of Directors determines to be consistent with the mission of ARRL. An apt analogy is that current funding campaigns provide the ARRL with a "checking account" to carry out current activities and the Endowment provides a "savings account" to provide for future efforts for these same activities or for new ones that are important to Amateur Radio.
The Endowment is made up of funds that are consistent with the ARRL's mission to support all aspects of the Amateur Radio service, including, but not limited to, advocacy, education, public service, research and technology, and historic preservation of Amateur Radio.
The Spectrum Defense Fund provides funds for advocacy and related activities.
The Antenna Defense Fund (also known as the Legal Research and Resource Fund) provides for research and expert opinions and the filing of legal briefs in proceedings related to Amateur Radio.
The Youth and Education Fund provides for the Education & Technology Program, other ARRL youth programs, on-line and other general education programs and public service activities, including emergency training and promotion activities.
The Public Information Fund provides for public relations activities including media kits, brochures, training kits, public service announcements, and internship stipends to promote Amateur Radio.
The Research and Technology Fund provides for the implementation of new or improved technologies in Amateur Radio.
The Amateur Radio Historical Preservation Fund provides for the collection, identification and preservation of Amateur Radio papers and artifacts and to maintain the history and traditions of Amateur Radio.
The W1AW Endowment Fund provides for the operation, maintenance and capital improvements of the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW.
The Fund for International Relations and Goodwill provides for gifts of equipment to developing countries or for crisis situations, for DXpeditions and to further the development of the Amateur Radio service in other parts of the world.
The ARRL General Fund provides resources for any of the mission-related activities of the ARRL including operations, advocacy, education, scientific research, historic preservation, the promotion of Amateur Radio and public service through emergency communications.
Gifts to the Endowment Fund may be directed to one or more of the special interest funds that support ARRL's work on behalf of Amateur Radio. Donors may elect to direct contributions to the Endowment's General Fund. Such donations offer ARRL maximum flexibility to respond to changing demands of the organization.
Contributions to the Endowment may come from current assets (e.g., stocks, appreciated property, trusts) or from estate gifts (e.g. bequests). However, outright gifts of cash also may be directed to a specific Endowment Fund.
The Endowment is invested to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the principal, consistent with the investment policy of ARRL as approved by the Board of Directors. The objective of the investment policy for the Endowment is to assure funding stability for ARRL by donors who want to leave a legacy and support ARRL activities in the years ahead. The investment policy established by the Board sets the rules for restricting the use of principal and earnings in the Endowment.
The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Administration and Finance Committee, may create new Endowment funds.
Unrestricted contributions of $50,000 or more to the Endowment will be presented to the Administration and Finance Committee of the ARRL Board to determine the disposition of such funds within the Endowment, based on recommendations from ARRL management.
Named funds may be created only for gifts of $100,000 or more.
By including ARRL in your estate plans you will provide the financial power for ARRL to educate the next generation, to protect the valuable amateur spectrum you enjoy, to preserve the traditions and history of the service, and to ensure that Amateur Radio will be ready to provide vital public service when disaster strikes.
Special note: Before making any planned gift of assets or estate gift to ARRL it is important to review plans with a financial and/or legal advisor to determine the best means of conveying your gift that will take into account your personal circumstances and tax situation.
If you've already included a commitment to ARRL in your estate plans, thank you. We'd love to recognize your commitment by welcoming you to the ARRL Legacy Circle and offer you the following recognition:
There are many creative ways you and your advisors can plan effective ways for you to support ARRL and Amateur Radio in your estate plans. Legacy Circle gifts help build the ARRL Endowment. Here are a few suggestions.
Important Notes:
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