Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) March 2019 | Page 25

PHILANTHROPY
Cheers to the next 50!
By Kelly Grether, Director of Development
The Louisville Zoo is honored to
mark its golden anniversary thanks
to you — our loyal donors and
friends. The Zoo you know today
began with a group of community
members in the early 1960s who be-
lieved so strongly that a zoo would
support quality of place that they
dedicated themselves to making the
Zoo a reality in Louisville. From the
very beginning, the commitment of
advocates, community leaders and
philanthropists like James Graham
Brown built the Zoo — which is a
formula that still holds true today.
The vision of past leaders is our
reality. Today, the Zoo supports vital
quality of place for all residents
and those looking to move into our
area. We’ve also grown to become
the #1 nonprofit attraction in the
area. We have helped re-establish
the black-footed ferret population
in the Midwest, once thought to
be completely extinct. We work
daily to support global conserva-
tion efforts. We care for over 1,000
animals daily and allow guests to
connect with animals, nature, the
environment and each other.
Today, the Zoo earns approxi-
mately 80% of its annual operating
needs through
earned revenue
sources such as
admission tickets,
Steve Taylor (left), Dave Campbell (right) take
membership and
African Elephant Mikki for a walk.
events. Charitable
gifts help round out
• Contribute appreciated securi-
the annual financial
ties to the Zoo*: Appreciated
needs of the Zoo.
stock is a powerful tool for
Today, we ask you to help the
charitable giving that is often
Zoo continue to be the best it can
overlooked. In many situations,
be for today’s visitors and for future
donating appreciated securities
generations to enjoy as well. There
to the Zoo can provide you with
are many ways you can support
a double benefit—a deduction at
your Louisville Zoo; a few of these
fair market value (for those who
are outlined below. If you have a
itemize) and exclusion of the gain
question or would like to explore
from income. Certain limitations
how you and your family can sup-
apply, of course. Even if you are
port the success of the Zoo, please
not itemizing, a gift of appreci-
contact Kelly Grether, Director of
ated securities can benefit you
Development, at [phone].
by excluding the gain from your
income.
• Recurring gifts: Gifts to the
Louisville Zoo Fund can be set-up • Round up! Consider adding a
gift to your next membership re-
monthly, quarterly or bi-annually.
newal in support of the Louisville
• Required Minimum Distribu-
Zoo Fund.
tions*: When you reach age
• Fund-raising events: The 21+
70 ½ and become subject to
crowd can enjoy the Zoo in a
Required Minimum Distributions
whole new way. Plan to attend
(RMD) from your retirement plan,
the annual fund-raising event,
you are also eligible to make
Zoofari! on June 8, 2019.
charitable contributions directly
from your traditional IRA accounts • Advocate: Consider upgrading
to a Zoo license plate next time
to qualified charities, like your
you renew car tags. $10 of each
Louisville Zoo. This strategy is
renewal directly benefits the Zoo.
highly effective in optimizing the
• Planned Gift*: Include the Zoo
value of your contributions, as it
in your estate plans with a be-
can help you with your charitable
quest, gift of stock, or name the
objectives while possibly minimiz-
Louisville Zoo as beneficiary on
ing your taxes.
an insurance policy.
* We encourage you to discuss Planned
Joanne Luyster
holds a freshly bathed
black-footed ferret kit.
Giving, Required Minimum Distributions
and Appreciated Stock strategies with your
tax advisor to ensure you are realizing the
maximum tax benefit for your generosity to
the Zoo.
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Spring 2019 • 25