WHERE THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER

At the Y, strengthening the community is our cause. The Y serves three crucial areas of focus to help individuals, families and communities learn, grow and thrive.
The Y is for Youth Development, because we believe that all kids deserve opportunities to discover who they are and what they can achieve. This is why, through the Y, youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement.
The Y is for Healthy Living, improving the nation’s health and well-being. The Y brings families closer together, encourages good health and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun, and shared interests.
The Y is for Social Responsibility, giving back and providing support to our neighbors. Whether developing skills, connecting diverse populations, or advocating healthier communities, the Y fosters the care and respect all deserve.

HERITAGE CLUB OVERVIEW

Since our Y was founded in 1987, there have been thousands of our community members whom have personally benefitted.
The YMCA Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring the fiscal integrity of the Y. John K. and Luise V. Hanson generously started the Forest City YMCA Endowment Fund with an original gift of nearly two million dollars. It is up to us to continue to make it grow; to ensure our Y is here for those that will follow.
To this end, the Board of Directors established the Forest City Family YMCA Heritage Club. Club members are those who make contributions to the Forest City Family YMCA Endowment Fund or have made provisions in their estate plans for future contributions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE HERITAGE CLUB?
The Forest City YMCA Heritage Club, established in 2012, was founded to ensure that the YMCA will remain in our community for generations to come. Heritage Club members are those who make contributions to the Forest City Family YMCA Endowment Fund or have made provisions in their estate plans for future contributions to this fund.

WHAT IS THE FOREST CITY YMCA ENDOWMENT FUND?
The Forest City Y opened its doors in 1987, thanks to the vision and generosity of John K. and Luise V. Hanson. Their initial gift of the building launched the work of the Y. Then, recognizing that communities of our size do not often have the privilege of having a YMCA, they established the endowment fund to maintain affordable rates and to ensure longevity of the Y. Only the interest generated from this fund can be used to support operational costs. While their initial gift was substantial, it is up to us to continue to grow the fund to support rising operational costs for years to come.

WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME TO CONSIDER TODAY?
The Heritage Club’s purpose is to ensure the longevity of the Y for generations to come by growing our endowment fund. We are asking you to consider provisions for the Y in your estate plans.

WHAT TYPE OF GIFTS COULD I GIVE?
We know that members of the Heritage Club choose to give to perpetuate their values and that their gift says something about who they are and how they want to be remembered. Therefore, options are available to meet individual circumstances. The majority of gifts are received in the following forms:

• Current gifts of cash or cash equivalents
• Planned gifts could include: bequests from wills, naming the Y as a beneficiary of retirement plans or insurance policies, living trusts and charitable trusts

IF I CANNOT GIVE A LARGE GIFT WILL IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
We know that everyone has personal circumstances. Even small gifts will make a huge difference as to the endowment fund is a segregated fund where the principle of donor designated gifts is held into perpetuity and invested. The Y may only use the return on investment to support annual operating costs.

CAN I DESIGNATE MY GIFT FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE?

Many donors choose to leave their gift unrestricted to allow the Y governing board to direct earnings to where the need is the greatest. We have specific options you can designate for your funds:

1)undesignated for highest needs;

2) facility improvements; or

3) board-approved priority programs.

WHAT IS THE WORDING I SHOULD USE TO ASSURE MY GIFT IS DESIGNATED AS I WISH?
“To my heirs and executors: I give the Forest City YMCA, Forest City, Iowa, a 501(C) (3) non-for-profit organization, the sum of $____ (or x % of my estate) to be deposited into the Forest City YMCA Endowment Fund. The income shall be used to benefit said YMCA in such manner as the board of directors there-of may direct.”

WHO DO I CALL WITH QUESTIONS?
If you have already made a provision for the Y in your estate plans and would like to be recognized; or for other designations or questions about the Forest City YMCA Heritage Club, please contact Bruce A. Mielke, Executive Director, 641-585-5220 or bmielke@forestcityymca.org.