“By making annual contributions and including SAB in my estate plans I hope to do my part in ensuring the future of the Balanchine tradition and ballet in America.” -George Vanderploeg
When you provide for the School of American Ballet in your estate plans by means of a bequest or other life income gift, you are ensuring the excellence of this great institution for generations to come. By joining those who have taken this step, you can take satisfaction from knowing that you are part of an important legacy.
For more information about how Planned Gifts can benefit you, your family, and the School of American Ballet, please explore the opportunities highlighted on this page or contact L. Michelle Palmour, Director of Individual Giving, at 212.769.6611 or mpalmour@sab.org.
Already created a planned gift to support SAB? Please let us know by filling out this form so we can thank you and invite you to join SAB’s Founders Society.
The following information about Planned Giving is provided solely for educational purposes. Please consult your own legal and financial advisors before making a major gift.
Founders Society
SAB’s Founders Society is a special group, named in honor of founders George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, that is dedicated to their visionary ideals for ballet in America. Founders Society members have made planned gifts to the School of American Ballet that help ensure the long-term financial stability of SAB. This will allow the School to continue to produce the next generations of dancers well into the future.
As our way of expressing our gratitude to Founders Society members who are making plans for the future of SAB, members enjoy several benefits, including:
- An annual summer “picnic” followed by the opportunity to watch a class
- A small gift in celebration of joining the Society
- Prominent listing in the Workshop Performances program and annual Impact Report
- Invitation to the Halloween Open House at SAB, a festive day of classes and refreshments
- Other informational mailings and event invitations throughout the year
You may also choose to be listed anonymously, if interested, in any future recognition of Founders Society members.
"But first a school" has always been at the heart of what Mr. Kirstein and Mr. Balanchine envisioned for the creation of a company. What they created with the school was an institution of excellence in teaching as well as in administration and excellence in the product, the students themselves. Our involvement and the many wonderful people we've met through SAB has been a privilege, one we continue to cherish.
Wendy Powell, Founders Society member and former SAB parent
Ways to Give
Explore the various other ways you can use Planned Giving to support SAB.
Bequests
A bequest is a gift through your will or living trust that costs you nothing now but provides support to SAB after your lifetime. Bequests offer flexibility and can be structured to fit your personal situation. The gift is revocable, so you can change your mind at any time should your circumstances change. You can make a bequest of cash, marketable securities, or you can simply give us a percentage of your estate. A free opportunity to create a bequest can be accessed through the FreeWill partnership above.
Specific Bequest
Naming the School of American Ballet a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy.
“I give and devise to School of American Ballet, Inc., currently located at 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY, 10023, the sum of $___________ (or description of specific property) to be used for its general purposes (or for the support of a specific fund or program).”
Residuary Bequest
A residuary bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid.
“I give and devise to School of American Ballet, Inc., currently located at 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY, 10023, all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general purposes (or for the support of a specific fund or program).”
Contingent Bequest
SAB can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled (for example, if another named heir predeceases you).
“If (insert name) is not living at the time of my death, I give and devise to School of American Ballet, Inc., currently located at 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY, 10023, the sum of $___________ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general purposes (or for the support of a specific fund or program).”
Life Insurance
Life insurance can be used in several ways to make a lasting gift to SAB. You can simply designate SAB the beneficiary (or contingent beneficiary) of an existing life insurance policy – and continue to own the policy as before.
Benefits Include:
- You part with nothing during your lifetime
- You continue to own the policy and retain the right to change beneficiaries
- If insurance proceeds are paid to SAB after your lifetime, your estate may be entitled to tax benefits because of the gift.
Retirement Plans
Gifts of IRAs, 401(k)s or 403(b)s, or other qualified plans are popular planned gifts because they require no “up front” cash. You simply designate School of American Ballet, Inc. as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plan. After your lifetime the residue of your plan passes to SAB tax-free. And, you can continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime and even change the beneficiary if your circumstances change.
Please notify SAB if you have added the School as a beneficiary or contingent beneficiary to your retirement plan as notification is not automatic.
Benefits Include:
- You can escape both income AND estate tax levied on the residue left in your retirement account by leaving it to SAB
- Give the most-taxed asset in your estate to SAB, and leave more favorably taxed property to your heirs
- You can continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime
- You can change the beneficiary if your circumstances change
Other
The School of American Ballet will consider gifts of Real Estate, as well as gifts made through a Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust. Gifts in these categories must be determined to meet the internal legal and financial criteria of the School, and as such, are subject to review and approval by the School’s Chief Financial Officer and Board of Directors.
To inquire about one of these opportunities, please contact L. Michelle Palmour, Director of Individual Giving, at 212.769.6611 or mpalmour@sab.org. All inquiries are confidential.
Legal Name: School of American Ballet, Inc.
Tax ID Number: 13-1275970