ACD News, Summer 2021

Page 6

American College of Dentists Foundation: On Our Semicentennial Eve Stephen A. Ralls, DDS, EdD, MSD President, American College of Dentists Foundation

T

he American College of Dentists celebrated its centennial last August 20th, the first of three special anniversaries in the same short window. Next up this fall, the Fellowship class of 2021 will mark one hundred years since the induction of the first Fellows in 1921. Then, next year, 2022 signals the fiftieth anniversary of the American College of Dentists Foundation, which was established in 1972. With the Centennial Capital Campaign well underway, and with the looming semicentennial as context, this overview captures the purposive and functional highlights of our Foundation from both organizational and donor perspectives. It also emphasizes the Foundation’s critical role in helping the American College of Dentists fulfill its mission. The American College of Dentists Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that is aligned with, and directly supportive of, the American College of Dentists. It does have an inherent limitation. By its very nature, our Foundation has to rely on

6 | ACD News | Summer 2021

charitable donations to exist—it is not a business with a commercial revenue stream nor is it an organization with dues-paying members. Over its nearly fifty years of existence, the Foundation has steadily grown to essentially become the College’s power supply. On the surface that seems an odd claim for an institution that has never had any employees. While it may seem unusual, it bespeaks the cooperative relationship the Foundation has had with the College since its founding. It is an unfortunate but stark reality for any organization that a budget is the dream-limiting governor on the throttle. Typically, an organization’s plans can only be as ambitious and visionary as the budget allows. Fortunately, our Foundation continues to grow, and along with it the potential for greater and greater impact. The key point here is that our Foundation does not grow because we wish it so. It grows because of the generosity of Fellows and friends like you who believe that what we do is important to our profession and oral health care. How can you help? The simple answer is, please consider a gift to the American College of Dentists Foundation. As shown through the examples below, gifts may take a variety of forms and can be something done immediately, paid in installments over time, or as a pledge for future fulfilment. • Cash •

Estate bequests

Real estate

• Securities •

Charitable trusts

Life insurance policies

Retirement accounts

• Annuities Gifts to our Foundation are recognized. Currently, for a donation of $500 you can personalize a brick for the walkway of our new building in Rockville. Larger gifts can identify you as a Gies Fellow or Gies Benefactor, and even more substantial gifts can place you in one of several Circle levels from Bronze through Centennial. Regardless of the type, if you would like to consider a gift to our Foundation, or if you need more information, please contact Dr. Theresa Gonzales at our Executive Office, 301977-3223 or email tgonzales@acd.org. In general, gifts to a 501(c)(3) public charity, such as the American College of Dentists Foundation, are deductible to the extent allowed under federal income, gift, and estate tax laws and regulations. Please consult your tax advisor in advance relative to your particular situation. Why Give? There are several important professional reasons to give: •

You are supporting the noble mission of the College in advancing excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in dentistry.

You are helping strengthen and improve dentistry, both as a profession and as a healthcare delivery system.


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