Fall 2020
November/December 2020 |
Executive Director's Update
Executive Director's Update
Linda Goldfield
Dear Members:

When I assumed my role three years ago, I had no idea the profound impact you and our work would have on my life. During my tenure, you have taught me so much and changed me forever. I have been inspired by your resilience and I have been humbled by your courage. It is bittersweet to move on to the next chapter. I will cherish the time I spent with my Parkinson’s family and will always hold close in my heart and thoughts.

Thank you for having the faith in our team as we moved this organization from grass roots to a high impact non-profit. Together, we have shown the community how to live well with PD.

The Association is stronger, healthier and poised for growth and expansion because of your investment and the commitment of the Board of Directors. The change is healthy and will only bring better opportunities for the Association. 

While the search continues for the new Executive Director, Barb Hoffman, our Program Director will assume some of the day to day responsibilities. I know you will support her as you have supported me.

As I am only moving across town to join another nonprofit, I hope our paths will continue to intersect.

It has been my honor to serve you and I hope you know I will always walk with you in your fight against Parkinson’s Disease.

With gratitude,
Linda Goldfield
Join the Legacy Circle
Member Reinhold Krick
Maria and I moved to Naples full-time eight year’s ago when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. While it was a devastating diagnosis, the Parkinson’s Association of SWFL proved to be our lifeline. We made friends at lunch bunch and support groups. I participated in exercise and music therapy that helped me stay stronger longer. And when the disease progressed the Association helped us find the best home health agency and Movement Disorder Specialist. Both Maria and I grateful for all the Association has done to help us live well. 

We have financially supported the Association through our journey. Three years ago, we decided to join the Legacy Circle by including the the Parkinson Association of Southwest Florida in my estate planning. It is important to us that even after I'm no longer here that the Association can continue its mission and help others like me live well.
With no cure in sight, together we can make a difference for the next generation. I hope you’ll join Maria and me a consider an estate gift.

If you would like to learn more information about including the Association in your estate plans or if you have already made a provision in your estate for the Association, please call the office at 239-417-3465.
How does a Charitable Gift Annuity Work?
Charles Weinrich
2nd Vice Chair Board
Our board member Charles Weinrich, Senior VP at the Wellington Group of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Naples has put together information on how you can support our organization through a charitable gift annuity.

Charles explains how supporting the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida with a charitable gift annuity provides tax benefits and a guaranteed income for life.

How does a charitable gift annuity work?
Many large nonprofit organizations, including ours’ along with a number of universities, offer charitable gift annuities. First, you make a donation to a single charity.
Then, the gift is set aside in a reserve account and invested. Based on your age(s) at the time of the gift, you receive a fixed monthly or quarterly payout (typically supported by the investment account) for the rest of your life. At the end of your life (as well as your spouse’s, if you’re giving as a couple), the charity receives the remainder of the gift.

Individuals or couples can set up a charitable gift annuity. (You are the “annuitants,” which is the specific name for beneficiaries of annuities and many insurance policies.) Depending on the charity, your annuity can be funded with cash donations, but potentially also securities and gifts of personal property. Minimum gifts for establishing a charitable gift annuity may be as low as $50,000, but are often much larger.

In addition to the income stream, annuitants may also be eligible to take a tax deduction at the time of the original gift, based on the estimated amount that will eventually go to the charity after all the annuity payments have been made. A portion of the payments you receive may also be tax-free for a period of time based on your statistical life expectancy.
What is a gift annuity agreement?
A gift annuity agreement is a lifelong contract, not a trust, between a single nonprofit organization and an individual or couple, who are referred to as annuitant(s). The terms of this agreement will lock in the rate, amount and timing of all payments the annuitant(s) receive. The fundraising or planned giving department of the nonprofit you are interested in supporting will be able to provide information about whether it offers charitable gift annuities and at what rate; the fundraising or planned giving departments are typically the point of contact.

Because a gift annuity agreement is a contract with a single charity, there is no way to establish a charitable gift annuity that can support multiple charities at the same time.
Charitable gift annuity payments
Charitable gift annuity donors (annuitants) receive payments for the rest of their lives. The size of your payment is determined by many factors, including your age(s) when you set up the charitable gift annuity. (For example, younger donors will typically receive more payments but they’ll be smaller.) The amount is fixed and will never fluctuate or adjust for inflation. But it’s also guaranteed, backed by the charity and underlying insurance company’s entire assets, not just your gift, and will continue for the lives of the donors no matter how well or poorly the investments of the annuity perform.
Taxes
You may be eligible to claim a partial charitable tax deduction for the year in which you set up the charitable gift annuity. Why only a partial deduction? The IRS views one portion of your contribution as a gift, to be used immediately by the charity for its tax-deductible charitable purposes. The other portion is viewed as an investment for you, which ultimately generates your payments.

A second tax benefit may come by donating long-term appreciated stock or other property if the charity is able to accept these assets in place of cash. By donating non-cash assets directly, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the capital gains tax you’d ultimately pay if you sold them first and then donated the proceeds. This capital gains tax benefit is not exclusive to establishing a charitable gift annuity; it also applies when you gift long-term appreciated securities or personal property to any public charity that’s equipped to accept them, including The Parkinson'a Foundation of Southwest Florida.

However, there is a potential tax drawback of a charitable gift annuity: part of your annuity income is taxable at the federal level, and possibly at the state level as well, depending on whether the state you live in has an income tax. The rules can be complex, so consider discussing the specifics of your situation with a tax advisor.
Annuity rates
Charitable gift annuity rates vary from charity to charity and are based on several factors, including the amount of the gift, as well as the donor’s age(s) at the time of the gift. Younger donors may often see significantly lower rates based on the longer expected term.

For illustrative purposes, a 60-year-old who donates $100,000 may receive a rate of 4.4% (paying $4400 annually) while an 85-year-old will see a rate of 5.5% (paying $5500 annually) for the same gift. Some charities offer higher rates for donors who agree to wait a number of years before starting to receive payments.

Compared to a traditional, non-charitable annuity, though, rates of return may be lower because the primary purpose of a charitable gift annuity is to benefit the charity. This is a consideration for anyone thinking about how to best balance their charitable goals with their financial plans.
Benefits of a charitable gift annuity
  • Income stream for the rest of your life
  • Immediate (partial) tax deduction, based on your life expectancy and the anticipated income stream
  • Potential for a portion of the income stream to be tax-free
  • Possibility of donating many types of assets: cash and securities.
  • Reduced or eliminated capital gains tax liability for gifts of appreciated securities and personal property
  • Supporting an organization you care about
A charitable gift annuity could be right for you if:
·     You want to maintain or increase your income.
·     You want the security of fixed, dependable payments for life.
·     You want to save income taxes or capital gains taxes.
·     You would like income that may be partially tax-free.
·     You are considering a gift amount of $50,000 or more.
·     You are at least 65 years of age.
Please contact our office at 239-417-3465 to discuss questions you might have about setting up an annuity.
Make a lasting gift through Planned Giving
Legacy Gifts
Legacy gifts are an excellent way to support the Parkinson's Association of Southwest Florida and to ensure the benefits and supportive services you received will be available for future generations.

Giving to the Parkinson's Association of SWFL can be done either directly or through a planned gift that can provide tax benefits and in some cases, income.
To make a gift, call Linda Goldfield at 
239-417-3465

Please click below to learn more.
Additional Resources
Help with Medicare Choices
Our friends at SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) our members opportunities for personal, scheduled phone counseling to discuss Medicare options.

Available Dates and times are:

• Monday, November 16, 10am-3pm
• Monday, November 23, 10am-3pm

Please contact our office at 239-417-3465 to schedule a meeting.
Would you like to learn about their webinars? You can learn more by clicking here
Financial Resources
Financial Resources
The Urso Crisis Fund at the Association provides financial assistance to qualifying families/individuals impacted by PD. Families/individuals my apply for up to $500 a year to help cover the expense of medication, physician visits, medical equipment and home health care.
Prescription Assistance
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
PAN is dedicates to helping federally and commercially insured people living with chronic disease with the out of poller costs for their prescription medications. Call 1-866-316-7263 for more information.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance Program
They provide a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Call 1-888-477-2669
November is National Caregivers Month
Heroes at Home
About 34.2 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months.

Together we applaud and admire our caregivers who help us live well with PD. We are here for you in your caregiving journey.  For resources and programs, contact the office. No one is ever alone in their journey.

For a copy of Caring and Coping, stop by our office or download here
Thank you for your Community Support
Community Support
The Association has recently received grants from the following community partners. We are grateful for their investment. Their support allows us to expand services to meet the growing needs of our PD community.
Moorings Park Foundation
The Women's Giving Circle
Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church
Help us Spread Awareness that WE CAN HELP
There are hundreds of people right here in Southwest Florida who have been recently diagnosed with PD or other neurodegenerative conditions who are not aware of the supportive and informative services we provide. If you know someone who has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's or other neurodegenerative disorders, please share this email with them and let them know we can help.

Visit our website to learn more about how we can help. LEARN MORE
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission: Provide proven and effective programs and services that improve the quality of life, educate, enrich, and empower people affected by Parkinson’s Disease and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Vision Statement:
We continue to create a Parkinson’s- friendly community where people affected by Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative disease are treated with dignity and understanding. We provide advocacy, awareness and education to the healthcare and Parkinson's communities and the community at large. People reach out to us for our expertise, programs and experience.