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Donations
A barrage of recent studies show American students falling behind their global peers in math and science. A recent state-by-state analysis of science education concludes that Florida's standards are among the worst in the nation. The report by the Washington D.C.-based Fordham Institute calls Florida's standards "thin," "naive," "disappointing" - and in some cases, "flat wrong". To remain a technological leader in the 21st century, we must establish and achieve an ambitious goal: We must double the number of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates with bachelor's degrees by 2015.
- develop analytical thinking skills that enhance their capacity for problem-solving and acquiring additional knowledge
- understand our world using current scientific knowledge
- use that knowledge to make informed decisions about the use of science in everyday life
- understand the natural world and acquire the knowledge and skills crucial for its care
- appreciate the developing nature of science, what it is and its processes
Interactive learning that provides students with the opportunity to participate and be actively involved is far more effective than instruction in which they are passive. The Science Center is an educational institution that provides outstanding "hands-on" learning programs in science. There is no place else in Pinellas County that offers these kinds of opportunities to students. Such inquiry-based instruction requires time and resources (set-up, clean-up, laboratories and supplies) that are expensive.
Any gift towards the Science Center, large or small, ensures that science education will continue to develop and expand. By investing in the Science Center, you are investing in the future of our community through the minds of our children.
Our children live in a world shaped by science! Science has brought us the computer, new cancer treatments, cell phones, hybrid cars and space exploration. You can help the Science Center continue its wonderful programs into the future by making tax-deductible charitable gifts.
Planned giving is an opportunity that enables you to give gifts of assets during your lifetime or after your passing. The process of giving requires planning on the part of donors, their advisors and the Science Center. There are various tax benefits to making any type of charitable gift.
At the Science Center, planned gifts are earmarked for our endowment fund. The principal of an endowment gift is invested and kept in perpetuity. Only earnings or a portion of the earnings are used each year for specified purposes.
The following are ways that you could give a tax-deductible charitable gift:
You could name the Science Center of Pinellas County, Inc. to receive a gift in your will. This could be stocks, bonds, cash or a percentage of your estate. You keep the income and rights to your property during your lifetime, and it then passes to the Science Center upon your death.
If you have a Revocable Living Trust, you could name the Science Center as a beneficiary. During your lifetime, the income and use of the trust assets would remain with you and would then pass to the Science Center upon your death.
You could transfer title to real estate to the Science Center and retain the right to live there and use the property for your life. You would be entitled to any income it produces and be responsible for its upkeep, but you would be entitled to a tax deduction in the year of the gift. At death, the Science Center receives the property to use as needed or as you direct, free of estate taxes.
You create an irrevocable trust which pays you a fixed income based on the value of the assets or a fluctuating income based on a percentage of the trust's yearly value. When the trust is created, you save any capital gains tax on the sale of the property, you get an income tax deduction and the income from the trust may be taxed at lower capital gains rates. There may also be estate tax benefits. This is a wonderful device for giving stocks, bonds and real estate that has a low tax basis. You keep the income for your lifetime and upon your passing whatever is left in the trust would go to the Science Center.
You make a gift to the Science Center and receive fixed payments for life. The size of the payment is based on your age when the gift is made, with older recipients receiving larger payments. You are allowed a tax deduction for a portion of the amount transferred. Only part of the payments will be taxed as income. The lifetime payments can be made to you and your spouse.
You create a trust, which gives income to the Science Center for a period of time, such as 5, 10 or more years. At the end of these years, the assets pass to your heirs with little or no estate or gift taxes. This is very attractive for those who believe they might be subject to federal gift or estate taxes.
If you are interested in helping the Science Center through Planned Giving, please call (727) 384-0027 today to learn what you need to do in order to make a charitable gift.
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