Heritage Club / Endowment Fund

Leaving a Legacy…

The Y is an unparalleled cause for strengthening community because we are the community. We are a strong association of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.

We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors in our community to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

History of the YMCA of the Fox Cities Endowment Fund…

The first gift to the YMCA of the Fox Cities endowment came in 1900, when Dr. James Reeve left the Appleton YMCA a $500 commitment. Over the years since that first gift, the Y has benefited greatly from over 450 individuals, like Dr. Reeve who have had the foresight to remember the Y through an outright gift or through their estate plan, growing the value of the Endowment Fund to over $7.5 million.

The Heritage Club was established in 1990 to help assure a successful Endowment Program that will extend the Y’s influence to future generations, as well as being a positive force for the present. Heritage Club members have been instrumental through their contributions in supporting our long-term building and facility needs, program innovations and financial assistance program.

Each year, based on our spend policy we have the opportunity to utilize up to 5% of the market value of our endowment, which means we are able to provide about $300,000 annually into our local Y’s through innovative/mission based programs, facility and equipment upgrades, and to support our environmental efforts.

What is the impact of this interest from the endowment? Thanks to Heritage Club members, over the last 21 years, nearly $5 million has been generated to fund our facilities and programs, making a substantial difference in our ability to serve diverse people and the needs of our community.

Why Should I Give?

Y programs are the cornerstone of their neighborhoods. The Y engages people from all walks of life, building healthy spirit, mind and body, fostering the growth of a strong and connected community. Your gift to the endowment fund ensures that the programs people need the most will continue throughout your lifetime and beyond.

Your gift…

• Builds teens into leaders by modeling, teaching and challenging them to play a vital role in their community.
• Supports children in becoming successful adults by providing a safe place to learn new skills, develop positive relationships and build self-confidence.
• Provides programs for families as they join a legacy of generations that teach their children to live a healthy life, build strong character, to lead and embrace a strong sense of community.

How Can You Become a Member?

The Heritage Club is comprised of individuals who have made an outright gift or notify the Y that they have provided for a future planned gift, whether large or small, to the YMCA of the Fox Cities’ Endowment Fund in one of the following ways:

• Outright gift of cash, stock, property or IRA distribution
• Life insurance
• Bequest
• Estate Trust

The Benefits of Membership

The Heritage Club is a way for the Y to thank and recognize donors during their lifetime for demonstrating their commitment to preserving the mission of the Y. By notifying the Y when you make a planned gift, you will be able to receive the benefits of membership and encourage other friends of the Y to consider making their own future gifts to the endowment. As always, we will respect the wishes of donors who wish to remain anonymous.

Benefits include:

• Your name listed in the YMCA of the Fox Cities’ Annual Report
• Invitation to the Heritage Club Annual Dinner
• Invitation to special events

Click here for the YMCA of the Fox Cities Heritage Club Enrollment Form and click here for information regarding planned giving and instructions for stock gifts.