No one now can continue to operate as in the past. Although it may be invisible to our patrons, Eastman House already operates on a very tight budget. We are fiscally responsible with every dollar donated. Yet we now face the need to cut our expenses further, fully aware of our responsibility as stewards of the world's most consequential collection of photographs, motion pictures, and cameras. As we implement ways to reduce expenses and explore new ways to generate earned income, we continue to look to you for assistance in balancing our budget for 2008.
Your gift to the annual fund provides essential unrestricted dollars that allow the Museum to continue its exhibition and education programs, including paying the ever-increasing energy and insurance bills that protect the priceless collections that distinguish Eastman House from every other institution in the world.
Please help us close our fiscal year successfully by making a gift to our 2008 Year-End Appeal today. We need your support more than ever before.
Thank you in advance for your generous response.
Ways to Donate
By Phone
To make your gift by phone, please call (585) 271-3361 ext. 261
By Mail
Please make checks payable to: George Eastman House, 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607, Attn: Director, Anthony Bannon.
Online
All gifts of $100 and more receive special
recognition in our 2008 Annual
Report.
This gift is separate
from 2009 membership dues.
Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Emergency "Bail-Out" Act Helps Donors Make Charitable Gifts
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 signed into law in
October includes an extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover. The
extension is retro-active, applying to distributions made throughout both
the 2008 and 2009 tax years. The extension will allow individuals 70½ and
older to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs to charities tax-free.
Making gifts in 2008 and 2009 from IRA funds that would be subject to tax
if withdrawn voluntarily or under mandatory withdrawal requirements may be
a wise choice for many. Eligible individuals should be aware, however,
that while making gifts to charities directly from their IRA will generate
tax savings, these distributions are not tax-deductible.
Key provisions include the following:
Donors must be age 70.5 at the time the gift is made
An individual can give a maximum of $100,000 in 2008 and an additional
$100,000 in 2009. A spouse can give an equal amount from his/her IRA.
Individuals can make as many gifts in any amount to as many charities as
desired as long as the total does not exceed $100,000 for 2008 and an
additional $100,000 in 2009.
The gift may NOT be made in exchange for a charitable gift annuity or to
a charitable remainder trust.
The gift may NOT be made to a private foundation, donor advised fund, or
supporting organization [as described in section 509(a)(3)].
Donors who have reached age 70.5 and are required to make minimum
required distributions can direct the entire amount to charity in
satisfaction of their minimum required distribution.
For more information, please contact Pamela Reed Sanchez, the Museum's
Director of Development, at (585) 271-3361, ext. 384, or via email at
prsanchez@geh.org
