The Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) is supported by the community we serve in many ways. There are gifts of cash and securities that account for approximately one third of the agencies annual budget. There is also the gift of a volunteer's time. Over 100 volunteers provide the agency with over 10,000 hours of their time every year. The ways of giving to the agency are:

1. Volunteer Program - Agency volunteers are partners in helping individuals with blindness or visual impairment increase their quality of life by reading their mail, driving clients to medical appointments or shopping chores, escorting them to recreational activities, or merely making a neighborly visit to a blind person.

2. Annual Contributions - Gifts of cash or securities given by our loyal donors are the life blood of the agency. These gifts provide the funds to pay for the overhead costs of operating our large facility and the cost of administration and maintenance.

3. The Legacy of Hope Endowment - Most people, given the opportunity, would like to feel that they have made a lasting contribution toward a better world, that their lives have touched others -- perhaps for generations to come. That small touch of immortality -- the quiet satisfaction of helping perpetuate something meaningful -- is the rich reward enjoyed by the many friends who have made planned gifts for our future. These gifts, made during life or through the donor's estate, have strengthened our ability to provide for many generations of visually impaired and blind clients. A planned gift to the agency's Endowment Fund will provide a permanent legacy of your devotion and philanthropy to the blind residents of our community. The CBVI Endowment Fund is a permanently restricted fund that is prudently invested to provide a secure stream of perpetual income to assure that rehabilitation services for the blind, provided by the agency, will persevere.

4. Life Income Annuity - The charitable gift annuity is a unique plan for satisfying both philanthropic and financial needs. In exchange for a gift of cash, securities or real property, we will pay you a certain fixed dollar annuity for the rest of your life. This method of giving can afford several tax and financial benefits. Your gift can be arranged to provide you with tax-free payments. Capital gains taxes can be minimized if you use highly appreciated assets to fund your gift. Furthermore, you will be entitled to a substantial income tax charitable deduction in the year you make the gift. You can make a meaningful gift to CBVI that will pay you an attractive, guaranteed, fixed income every year for life (as well as to a beneficiary if you wish.) It is quick and easy to set up.

5. Bequest - Leaving a gift to CBVI is easy and is a decision that is entirely yours to make. One option for leaving a gift to the Delco is to name the agency as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or of your retirement account. The most common way, however, is to arrange a gift through a will. Many individuals set aside a certain dollar amount through their will; others leave a percentage of their estate or any assets remaining after providing for their families. Some people give something they own, such as a car or their home. The legacy you leave will make an important difference in our mission and future.

For Additional Information Contact:
Mark Valentine CFRE, Development Director
(610) 874-1476 extension. 134
mark.valentine@cbvi.net