More than any other sense, sight connects us to our world. The brilliant sunrises and sunsets of each day. The faces of our friends and loved ones. The memories we cherish. All of these are made possible by the gift of sight. Now, imagine a world where this gift is shared by everyone... a world without eye disease or blindness. This is Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a specialized eye care facility dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of vision related diseases.

More than ever, your investment in Bascom Palmer Eye Institute reflects a true belief in the legacy of this institution and the decisive role it will play in the 21st Century. For the past four decades, our efforts have been made possible by the financial support of our friends, many of whom helped guarantee the sight-saving work of Bascom Palmer through endowment gifts. Their response to the Institute's needs has contributed directly to Bascom Palmer's outstanding reputation.

Not only will your gifts make an important contribution to the work of a nationally-recognized diagnostic and treatment facility, they will also provide you and your family with substantial financial benefits. Your investment makes it possible for Bascom Palmer to offer unrivaled patient care to you, your children and your grandchildren and to countless others who may find their gift of sight threatened by illness or injury.

With scientific progress rapidly expanding ophthalmic medicine's vast storehouse of information, Bascom Palmer is uniquely positioned to move even closer to a world without eye disease or blindness. In perpetuating this legacy, and in preparing for a future that bears the Bascom Palmer name, we cherish the partnership that has developed between the visionaries at the Institute and those of you who pledge private support. This partnership is the heart and soul of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

As a partner in Bascom Palmer's mission of patient care, research and education, you may choose to direct the purpose and use of your gift - in any amount - in a variety of ways. For instance, you may pay tribute to or honor the memory of a loved one, establish or contribute to the endowment of an academic chair, or support a clinical, research or educational program at the Institute.

Your gift is a way of sharing your good fortune with others. By investing in Bascom Palmer's mission to free the world from blindness, you become a positive force in the lives of countless others. Your gift to them is the precious gift of sight. And every time they use this gift, it will become part of your legacy to them and a fitting tribute to your values, your philosophy and your goals.

The information in this section gives you a sense of the broad range of philanthropic opportunities at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. As always, should you require more specific guidance, we would be pleased to speak with you. Call us at (800) 329-7000, extension 6190 or in Miami-Dade County at (305) 326-6190. In addition, as with any major financial decision, you should consult your personal financial advisors.

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Tribute and Memorial Gifts
One of the most gratifying ways to acknowledge or remember a loved one is to make a tribute gift. All of life's significant events (birthdays, anniversaries and personal losses) can be remembered by a contribution in an individual's name. If you choose, your gift will be handled with complete confidentiality and, on the day it is received, we will send a distinctive card to the person or family honored by your tribute or memorial.

Endowments and Chairs
An endowment is an investment fund created by an individual or a group of donors, with the income generated by the endowment used to fund a specified purpose at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. An endowment is established in perpetuity, providing long-term benefits to both the donor and the Institute.

The endowment that contributes most directly to Bascom Palmer's stature as a center of learning is the "endowed academic chair." Academic chairs are established to recognize our most gifted and imaginative physicians and scientists, providing them with a vital source of income for their ground-breaking work in ophthalmology. Through their ongoing clinical and research efforts, new approaches to the treatment and prevention of blindness will be found.

As with any gift, Bascom Palmer's Development Office can provide you with more detailed information about how you can establish an endowment or chair.

Make a Gift

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Cash
The simplest way to make a gift is to write a check payable to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Your gift is tax deductible for up to 50% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in the year the gift is given. Amounts in excess of the 50% ceiling can be carried over for the next five years -- giving you the full benefit of the tax deduction.

Appreciated Property
This option offers a popular alternative to cash. Gifts of securities, homes, land, personal property and other assets entitle you to a DOUBLE tax benefit -- allowing you to claim a charitable deduction for the full market value of your gift. This eliminates the capital gains tax liability you would incur had you chosen to sell your assets. Gifts of long-term (held for more than one year) appreciated property are deductible for up to 30% of your AGI. Any amounts over this 30% ceiling can be carried forward for up to five years.

Personal Property
In most cases, you are entitled to a charitable deduction for gifts of tangible personal property (such as paintings, antiques, books, artifacts, jewelry or stamps). As with appreciated property, you may also avoid paying potential capital gains tax with these gifts.

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Planned giving makes it possible for you to give a gift that benefits Bascom Palmer as well as you and your loved ones. Many planned gifts are included as a part of wills. Others provide you or your family with a reliable source of income and substantial tax benefits, while making a long-term contribution to the Institute.

If you fund a planned gift that includes Bascom Palmer, we encourage you to notify our Development Office so that your generosity can be officially recognized with membership in our Society for Encouraging Endowment and in the University of Miami's distinguished Heritage Society. The following options are popular planned giving vehicles.

Charitable Bequest
A charitable bequest included as part of your will is the most common way of making a planned gift to Bascom Palmer. Your gift can be for a specific sum or for a percentage of your estate. You can also specify whether your bequest is for Bascom Palmer's unrestricted use or earmarked for a specific purpose. (For example, to establish a designated fund in the name of the donor or another person).

Gifts through wills are an important part of a long-standing tradition of helping others and have played a crucial role in Bascom Palmer's fight to prevent blindness.

Charitable Gift Annuities
The charitable gift annuity is popular because of its simplicity, guaranteed fixed income and immediate tax savings. It is among the most popular ways in which patients and friends support Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

In exchange for cash, securities or real estate, Bascom Palmer is contractually obligated to pay you or your beneficiary a fixed income for life. Payments are based upon your age(s), size of gift and the number of beneficiaries. These factors determine the rate of return established by the Committee on Gift Annuities (which represents most philanthropic groups in the United States). You can also specify whether you want your payments quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

You are entitled to an immediate income tax charitable deduction for the difference between the value of the property transferred to Bascom Palmer and the annuity received. In addition, a portion of each annuity payment is also tax-free, and sometimes this tax-free portion may exceed 50%.

Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust is a separate trust arrangement between you and a trustee of your choosing (often a bank or even the University of Miami).

A trust may be established during your lifetime or through your will, substantially reducing estate and inheritance taxes.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
With this trust, you and/or your beneficiary will benefit from a fixed income for life or for a period not to exceed 20 years.

An annuity trust provides a fixed dollar payment annually. The payment must be at least 5% of the value of the property initially transferred to the trust. Upon the death of the last surviving beneficiary or expiration of the term of years, Bascom Palmer will use the trust's assets for the purpose you specified at the time the trust was made.

If you use appreciated assets to fund the trust, you eliminate the capital gains tax you would be obligated to pay had you sold the assets. You are also entitled to a sizable income tax deduction at the time the trust is established. If that deduction exceeds the amount permitted for the year, you can carry the excess amount forward for up to five years.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust
This trust is similar to the charitable remainder annuity trust and offers most of the same advantages, except that the income payment is NOT FIXED and may vary annually. Your return must be at least 5% of the value of the trust's assets, as determined each year.

Payments are made quarterly during your lifetime or for a period not to exceed 20 years. Once a unitrust has been established, you can add to it at any time -- and continue to benefit from a charitable deduction for each additional contribution.

Charitable Lead Trust
A charitable lead trust is the mirror image of a charitable remainder trust.

In a charitable lead trust, you place assets (such as bonds, listed securities or income-producing real estate) in trust, with the income produced by the trust paid directly to Bascom Palmer. When you establish a lead trust, you are - in effect - "lending" assets to us for a specified period. At the expiration of the trust, the assets return to you or your beneficiaries with substantial tax savings.

Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust is an extremely flexible tool for managing your assets. It is established during your lifetime and gives you complete access to your assets in case of an emergency.

A revocable living trust pays you or your beneficiary an income for life, but does not offer the variety of tax benefits associated with other trusts.

However, a living trust can be changed AT ANY TIME -- allowing you to change its terms, add to it or withdraw from it should you become disabled.

The trust can also continue beyond your lifetime, providing a steady source of income for Bascom Palmer and your beneficiary.

Make a Gift

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When you give property to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, you create sizable tax savings for yourself. You also eliminate many of the problems that might occur during the settlement of your estate -- such as the sale of your property for less than its market value to pay estate and inheritance taxes or the continued cost of managing the estate.

Gifts of real estate can include a personal or vacation home, a commercial building, subdivision lots or an undeveloped stretch of land. Your gift can be for the entire property or for a percentage.

Outright or Testamentary Gift
Your property can be deeded to Bascom Palmer during your lifetime or through your estate plan.

Retained Life Income
Your gift of property is transferred to a charitable remainder trust, where it is sold and the proceeds used to pay you or your beneficiary an income. Your income payments are based upon the net proceeds from the sale and your specified rate of return. At your death or the death of your beneficiary, the trust's assets are transferred to Bascom Palmer.

Retained Life Tenancy Gift
With this gift, you transfer ownership of the property to Bascom Palmer, but you and/or your spouse retain use of the property for life. You also receive a tax deduction based upon your age and the property's value. Upon the death of the "life tenants," Bascom Palmer becomes the owner.

Fractional Interest in Real Estate
You can reduce your capital gains tax by making Bascom Palmer co-owner of a one-third, one-half or three-quarters interest in a residential or commercial property. When the property is sold, Bascom Palmer shares in the proceeds, based upon its percentage of ownership.

Charitable Lead Trust Established with Income-Producing Real Estate
This option is ideal for minimizing gift and estate taxes when transferring property to your heirs which you believe will increase in value.

With a charitable lead trust, Bascom Palmer receives payments based on the income generated by your property, and you enjoy significant tax savings when that property is transferred to your children or grandchildren. When the trust expires, the property returns to your or your beneficiaries.

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Life Insurance
There are multiple ways for you to use a life insurance policy when giving to Bascom Palmer. A few are described below:

Liquidate a Policy
Liquidate a policy no longer needed for family protection and give the proceeds to Bascom Palmer.

Give a Policy
Give a policy that is not paid up and take a deduction for the present or cash surrender value of the policy. If you continue to pay the premiums needed to keep the policy in force, the premium payments are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.

Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust
Establish a charitable remainder trust for your spouse and fund the trust with your life insurance policy. The premium payments are partially deductible during your lifetime, and the trust will provide income for your spouse upon your death.

Make a Gift

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At Bascom Palmer, we know that our success in the battle against eye disease is perpetuated by the philanthropy of countless friends and benefactors.

Through their individual and collective gifts, these donors have helped the Institute build new facilities, continue ground-breaking research and discover amazing new advances. Their farsightedness has inspired our physicians and researchers and encouraged the academic and professional excellence of our students.

Donors have been the driving force behind our mission to combat - and cure - eye disease. And their investments in a world without blindness are reflected in the eyes of thousands of men, women and children around the world.

If you have included Bascom Palmer in any planned giving option, we encourage you to notify our Development Office, so that your generosity can be officially recognized and honored.

Bascom Palmer is grateful for the generous support of these outstanding men and women and proud to recognize them in the following ways:

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Society of One Thousand
The first donor recognition society at Bascom Palmer, The Society of One Thousand, is the vanguard of our annual giving programs. The Society honors donors who have contributed $1,000 or more and is the lifeline of Bascom Palmer's growth – now, and in the years to come.

Vision Society
This society recognizes men and women whose cumulative contributions of $10,000 to $99,999 demonstrate their continued commitment to Bascom Palmer's patient care, research and educational programs.

Norton Society
Named in honor of Dr. Edward W.D. Norton, the founder of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, this society recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed $100,000 to $999,999 to help us continue our sight-saving work.

Bascom Palmer Society
Named in honor of Dr. Bascom Headon Palmer, whose dream of a state-of-the-art eye institute in South Florida has become a reality, this society honors our most generous donors -- those who have contributed $1 million or more in support of our goal of a world free of blindness.

Society for Encouraging Endowment
This society was established in grateful recognition of those whose estate plans include Bascom Palmer as a beneficiary. Their thoughtfulness and generosity nurtures our continued development and assures that the University of Miami's Department of Ophthalmology will be well-funded for many years to come.

In addition to our gratitude, members of our Recognition Societies are listed on our Donor Recognition Walls in the Institute's lobbies in Miami or Palm Beach Gardens, and they receive a distinctive gift commemorating their contributions.

University of Miami Recognition
Our benefactors are also recognized by the University of Miami and receive correspondence and invitations to special events from the University of Miami.

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As with any major financial decision, you should consult your personal financial advisors. This may include your attorney, trust officer, accountant or other financial professional. In addition, the Development Office of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is available to meet with you and your advisors to help you design a plan for giving that accomplishes the goals you wish to achieve by your gift to our Institute. For assistance, please call us at (800) 329-7000, extension 6190 or in Miami-Dade County at (305) 326-6190.

Gifts may be mailed to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Attn. Development Office (D-880)
P.O. Box 016880
Miami, FL 33101-9827

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