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Established in 1994, Shepherd’s Foundation exists solely for the purpose of supporting programs and services to benefit the residents and clients of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services, Inc. Since our founding we have received and invested contributions to enhance the quality of care and living for those we serve.
Shepherd’s Foundation funding comes from a variety of sources; however, a majority of our supporters are individual donors committed to the continued success and advancement of our mission. Through various project appeals and personal visits, we seek to increase participation in our Shepherd’s Circle (annual giving) and Shepherd’s Legacy Society (planned giving) programs.
Each year Shepherd’s Foundation chooses several major fundraising projects within the organization. In addition, Shepherd’s Foundation supports several ongoing programs, such as: Benevolence Grants for residents who need financial assistance with daily living expenses; Activity Department Grants for special resident programs; Staff Development Grants to assist employees who are continuing their education; and the Staff Appreciation Fund to recognize the exceptional efforts of our employees.
In our daily interactions with the people we serve we will be governed by the basic Christian values of Compassion, Respect, Dignity, Spirituality, and Quality. Shepherd’s Foundation will continue to set and achieve these high yet expected standards.
Contributions to Shepherd’s Foundation are tax-deductible in accordance with all applicable laws.
Projects
SHEPHERD’S FOUNDATION’s WISH LIST CAMPAIGN
Each community and at Home With Shepherd has a Wish List Campaign.
The lists reflect special needs that our residents, clients, families and staff have identified as ones that would make a difference in the quality of life for those we serve.
Items are of varying costs and you can choose to contribute toward a portion of the purchase of a particular item or fund the entire cost of one or more items.
The Wish Lists also provide opportunities to contribute to the Staff Appreciation, Benevolent Care and Endowment Funds.
Follow the links below to view the individual Wish Lists. We trust you will find one or more items you will want to support. To underwrite an item, fill out the panel from the brochure and return it with your check payable to Shepherd’s Foundation. For your convenience, you can make your donation using PayPal. Simply click on the PayPal icon and follow the directions. Please make sure you tell us where your donation should be applied!
At Home With Shepherd Home Health Wish List
Find out more about At Home With Shepherd’s Wish List.
Howland Wish List
Find out more about Shepherd of the Valley – Howland’s Wish List.
Boardman Wish List
Find out more about Shepherd of the Valley – Boardman’s Wish List.
Niles Wish List
Find out more about the Wish List for Shepherd of the Valley – Niles.
Poland Wish List
Find out more about Shepherd of the Valley – Poland’s Wish List.
Become a DREAMWEAVER
Shepherd staff has embraced Second Wind Dreams, a national organization dedicated to helping our seniors realize one more dream. The program highlights the positive aspects of aging and encourages the general community to join in on the celebration of life in our elders, making their dreams a reality and joining the rewarding quest by becoming DREAMWEAVERS. Some of the dreams granted to date include simple ones like going fishing or an afternoon of golf. More elaborate dreams are also realized – a former standout girls basketball player was honored at a Howland girl’s basketball game and a WWE fan was able to go to Monday Night Raw in Pittsburgh to see his favorite wrestler in action.
We invite you to become a Dreamweaver by making a donation through PayPal (link above) to the community of your choice for this worthwhile program.
Annual Giving
Shepherd’s Foundation depends on funds raised annually through and by our donors to support the many programs and services offered to those we serve.
Shepherd’s Circle acnowledges individuals, corporations, and foundations that have supported Shepherd’s Foundation with a charitable gift during the previous year.
Our giving friends are recognized in four categories:
The Bronze Club $100-$499 annually
The Silver Society $500-$999 annually
The Gold Fellowship $1,000-$2,499 annually
Platinum Partners $2,500+ annually
Shepherd’s Circle donors are listed here on the website and on Donor Recognition Boards located at each Shepherd of the Valley community and the Corporate Office/At Home With Shepherd building, which are updated and published every four months. We respect a donor’s request to remain anonymous.
I Want to Give!
To join Shepherd’s Circle, click on this Legacy Of Caring Brochure link and print our Foundation brochure. Complete the giving panel and mail, along with your gift, to Shepherd’s Foundation, 5525 Silica Road, Austintown, Ohio 44515. You can also contact us by email at Foundation@ShepherdoftheValley.com or by phone at 330-530-4038.
Your gift can be designated/restricted in a variety of ways and for nearly any program, to include:
- Memorial and Tribute gifts
- Endowment Fund, which supports programs and services through the interest the fund accrues
- Site-specific activities, to include Niles, Poland, Boardman, Howland, At Home With Shepherd or Austintown
- Benevolence Fund
- Staff Appreciation Fund for a specific site
- Staff Professional Development Grant Fund
Donations can be made in cash, in-kind, stocks, gift annuities, life insurance, trusts, retirement funds, etc. Shepherd’s Foundation will be glad to work with you and your financial advisor to see what options might be best for your personal circumstances.
Planned Giving
Shepherds Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have named Shepherd’s Foundation as a bequest in a will or as a beneficiary of a deferred (planned) giving vehicle.
Shepherd’s Legacy Society plaque is displayed at each site, listing those individuals who have shared with us their plans to remember our ministry. We are grateful for their concern and generosity over the years and for their decision to continue this relationship in perpetuity.
Preparing Your Will
If you are preparing or reviewing your will, please consider a charitable bequest to Shepherd’s Foundation. If you already have a will, talk with your attorney about a codicil (a simple paragraph that amends your will) in order to add a specific, residual or contingent bequest for the Foundation using an adaptation of the following language: “I give, devise and bequeath [the sum of/percentage of/specified asset/or residue of estate] to Shepherd’s Foundation in Youngstown, Ohio, for general charitable purposes.”
Creating a Deferred/Planned Gift
There are many options when creating a deferred/planned gift. In a nutshell, “deferred” are those gifts that are committed in the present but received by Shepherd’s Foundation on a future, agreed upon date. Some gifts are straightforward, such as life insurance designations, while others are more complex.
Deferred gifts are the result of careful planning that integrates the donor’s charitable gift into his or her overall financial, tax and estate planning objectives in order to maximize the benefits for both the donor and Shepherd’s Foundation. Each of the deferred gifts described below are closely regulated by law and require special arrangements and tax treatment. The more common deferred giving vehicles are:
Charitable Gift Annuity
A Charitable Gift Annuity is a contract between Shepherd’s Foundation and the donor whereby the Foundation agrees to pay a fixed annuity to a maximum of two beneficiaries (immediately or deferred) in exchange for the irrevocable transfer of assets by the donor to the Foundation. A portion of the annuity payment may be income tax-free, and an income tax deduction may be allowed for the difference between the value of the gift and the present value of the annuity.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A CRT may be funded through a gift of stock, cash or other assets. This type of gift provides for a predictable, fixed life-long income for the donor and his or her beneficiaries. No additional contributions may be made to a CRT; however, additional trusts may be established. The donor may claim a tax deduction for the estimated proportion of the assets that will ultimately go to Shepherd’s Foundation.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)
A CRUT is very similar to the CRT outlined above. However, the trust provides yearly, fluctuating income to the donor or his/her beneficiaries for a specified number of years or for life. Also, additional contributions may be made to the trust, and upon the death of the last beneficiary, Shepherd’s Foundation receives the principle and uses it in accordance with the donor’s wishes. The estimated remainder is tax deductible.
Life Insurance
Shepherd’s Foundation can be named the beneficiary of a life insurance policy to create a gift of much greater value than the actual money paid by the donor. A donor may contribute a “paid up” policy to the Foundation and receive an income tax deduction equal to the policy’s cash value. Or, a donor can name the Foundation as the beneficiary of the policy resulting in estate tax savings. Or, a donor can name the Foundation owner and beneficiary of a new policy and receive an income tax deduction for the premiums paid.
For more information or to obtain our tax identification number, contact us or have your attorney contact us via telephone at 330-530-4038 or Foundation@ShepherdoftheValley.com.