Legacy for LEAF Community Arts

Stepping Toward 2020 with the LEAF Culture of Giving

“LEAF

is a vital and vibrant contributor to our local community through the festivals, LEAF Schools & Streets, and on a larger scale through LEAF International. LEAF is an essential part of my own life, for me, my family and my friends. LEAF is a biannual oasis for us that makes our lives richer in ever-changing ways!”

James Fisher, LEAF Board President

To LEAF’s journey into 2020

Welcome to LEAF’s journey towards 2020. With enormous gratitude for your friendship and support, we invite you to join us as we explore the next iteration of LEAF; to bring to fruition new possibilities while meeting the needs of the current communities we serve. As LEAF Community Arts celebrates our 20th year anniversary milestone, we are exploring opportunities to grow the organization to its even greater potential in 2020 and beyond to create welcoming places that foster shared experiences that empower, transform lives, connect cultures, and cultivate unity.

Last year all across the Southeast, LEAF 2020 Summits served as listening and visioning sessions to gain insight from the community about our expanding role and capacity to positively impact change. In order to grow even deeper roots, we recognize now is the time for a new kind of growth and we are seeking your advice and engagement as we enter the next phase of LEAF.

We invite you to be part of the journey by offering your insights as you read our draft case statement. YOU have value and wisdom and we need you to share your guidance as we dance forward from our global stage.

Many of you know the answer to “Why LEAF ?” You have raised your family coming to LEAF Festivals, LEAF is part of your tradition; your cultural understanding and curiosity have been ignited through the people and presentations at LEAF. Simply put, you have grown with LEAF.

During the recent May Festival, many of our trusted supporters gathered and embraced us as we spoke of this legacy journey for the first time beyond the office walls. Each of us was filled with immense gratitude at the authentic response, and the spirit or encouragement.

Now it is your turn to reflect and respond. We invite you to read this case for support, and to offer us your candid, honest, thoughtful feedback. We will be contacting you soon to arrange for a time to meet with some of our advisors and help us shape the next decade of LEAF.

With gratitude for your advice and support,

Jennifer Pickering,

James Fisher, Founder & Executive Director Board Chair

“It is easy to trust people when you see their eyes at the end of a journey, when there is no need to pretend anything. I saw beautiful souls, I saw young pals getting a voice of their own and growing. Thanks to LEAF for moving our World and making a place with no frontiers where our Ngabe and Bribri artists (young & old) can be whoever they want and look at an open horizon in the future, and a power heritage in their past.”

–Luis Porras Mora, LEAF International Costa Rica Coordinator with Ngabe-Bugle & Bribri First Nations

Our History and Mission

History of LEAF

Close your eyes and remember; hear the first notes of LEAF Festival. Whether your first LEAF experience was 40 festivals ago or just last year, LEAF is synonymous with good feelings, great times, and lifelong friendships. LEAF was founded in 1995 with the idea that music, craft, poetry, visual arts, and healing arts of diverse cultures can create powerful connections. In 2004, LEAF expanded its mission with the creation of LEAF Schools & Streets, and again in 2006 with the global initiative LEAF International. Through 20 years and 40 Festivals, through more than a thousand youth participating in LEAF International programming, and through 50,000 local Asheville youth taught by the LEAF Schools & Streets teaching artists, LEAF Community Arts has remained true to its roots and mission of connecting cultures and enriching lives through music and the arts.

Mission

LEAF is a non-profit organization, building community, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts – locally and globally –with festivals, community events, and arts education programs.

LEAF Community Arts fulfills this mission through its signature programs: LEAF Festival featuring International music and arts in a majestic outdoor family setting; LEAF Schools & Streets providing Asheville area arts education programs; and LEAF International fostering cultural arts education programs in Bequia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico, Kenya, Panama, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Since 2004, LEAF has served more than 50,000 youth with programs in over 15 western North Carolina community locations and in 10 countries worldwide.

LEAF 2020 Vision Plan … We Did It!

In 2014, the organization undertook a strategic planning process with the goal of clarifying the legacy LEAF will generate in the communities it serves. Six Vision 2020 Summits were held across the southeast where there is a strong LEAF network: Asheville, Black Mountain, Charleston, Atlanta, Durham-Chapel Hill, and Charlotte. Three hundred fifty participants, including board members, former board members, volunteers, Festival attendees, members, and community leaders explored the power and impact of LEAF’s programs and the opportunities for its future.

Out of these collaborative conversations came the core principles of the LEAF 2020 Plan: Growth and Stability, Transforming Lives, Connecting Cultures and Generating Unity. LEAF staff has crafted a plan for achieving these 2020 goals, while remaining true to its core values.

Five areas of focus for LEAF’s future:

LEAF Local Events

In 2020, LEAF Local Events has built and continues to build bridges of access, creating spaces for mutual understanding and cross cultural connection.

LEAF International Connects

In 2020, LEAF International empowers communities and preserves cultures through meaningful fourfold expansion in programming, expanded multi-tier cross-cultural exchange, development of selfsustaining revenue streams, and deeper community connections.

LEAF Schools & Streets Engages & Inspires

In 2020, LEAF Schools & Streets programs empower local youth through cultural, visual and performing arts education and performance opportunities which strengthen community

engagement and increase access to the arts through effective partnerships.

Empowering Teaching Artists through Professional Development

In 2020, LEAF is a regional, national, and internationally recognized resource for Arts Education. Through a Professional Development program and Teaching Artist Institute, teaching artists from around the nation acquire a level of mastery, delivering high-quality programs that utilize the arts to cultivate: Life Skills, Economic Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment, and Education.

Funding that Empowers

In 2020, LEAF has created a culture of philanthropy where charitable giving is plentiful; supporting 100% of LEAF’s nonfestival programming and operations.

Programs and Impact LEAF Festival

Twice each year, in May and October, the mountains of western North Carolina transform into a place where music, art, and culture join together to strengthen community through the power of creativity. At each Festival, more than 12,000 people gather on the site of the Historic Black Mountain College surrounded by a stunning mix of rolling hills, lakes, streams, and mountain beauty on hundreds of acres of comfortable camping grounds. There they dance to music and hear spoken word from around the world, they peruse western North Carolina handcrafts, they practice and learn healing arts, and they make lifelong connections. At LEAF, families explore a wide world of creative wonder with interactive activities that are fun for the whole family. From enjoying a stage coach theater to discovering old-world crafts, and from exploring educational arts to playing sports in our World Wide Play field, LEAF is a place where new adventures are shared by all.

“I raised my children coming to LEAF every year!” This refrain is often repeated by LEAF families. There is a sense of community at LEAF that goes far beyond the wonderment of the weekend’s activities. The Festival is a place where every person, young or old, can find their own artistic voice.

1,589: Total LEAF members since 1994

5,500: Individual tickets sold each Festival

More than

12,000: people of all ages attend each Festival

LEAF scours the globe for artists, musicians, performers, entertainers, presenters, and teaching artists who not only are great in their craft, but who also care deeply for education through arts. Many of the musicians and artists not only offer multiple shows at the festival, but arrive within the LEAF community up to a week before the event to teach in-school residencies, perform in local showcases, and share their gifts with children of all ages to help engender a culture of service through the arts.

The LEAF Festivals have been the centerpiece of LEAF’s programs and a beautiful place to showcase the work done by the organization throughout the world. Every participant in the LEAF Schools & Streets program receives a Family Pass to bring their parents, siblings, and other family members to the Festival to see them perform, and the students of LEAF International programs are consistently featured on the Festival stages. The Festivals are a celebration of the work LEAF accomplishes year-round.

LEAF International

LEAF International is a global arts education program that supports cultural preservation by engaging local teaching artists, and using traditional instruments and costumes. Understanding that music and arts are powerful and universal tools for building self-esteem, healing, skills and creating a healthy community, LEAF International inspires youth around the world to maintain pride in their community and their culture by providing a connection for learning their musical traditions. In this way, LEAF International serves as a catalyst to preserve and promote diverse cultural heritage while empowering, educating, and engaging youth.

LEAF International programs are carried out in partnership with local organizations to collaboratively set up traditional music and dance programs. LEAF International acts as a catalyst and an ally to create and support the programs, and all programs are communityowned and community-led. Maintaining dedication to communityled programs by giving ownership to the program constituents generates organic and endogenous empowerment, while also

creating a positive feedback loop of inspiration, participation, innovation, and accountability.

Believing that cultural expressions provide a wealth of intangible benefits that are crucial for a healthy and vibrant world, LEAF International aligns with the UN System Task Team for the post-2015 UN Development Agenda, which asserts that cultural expression provides communities “with greater social inclusiveness and rootedness, resilience, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship for individuals and communities, and the use of local resources, skills, and knowledge.”

With the goal of contributing to community building in an effective and authentic way, LEAF International works with partner organizations that are already established in the areas where the program operates. Since 2006, LEAF International has helped create music programs in 10 countries: Bequia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico, Panama, Rwanda and Tanzania.

More than 1250 youth served since 2006

LEAF stewards 13 programs in 10 countries, with 350 current students

LEAF employs 17 local teaching artists

LEAF partners with 7 Schools, 2 Orphanages, 3 Cultural Centers

According to 2014 surveys, 100% of youth enrolled in LEAF International are learning their music traditions and report that their LEAF International program is having a good impact on their life .

97% report they know more about their culture because of their LEAF International classes .

LEAF International Vision for the Future

In 2020, LEAF International empowers communities and preserves cultures through meaningful fourfold expansion in programming, expanded multi-tier cross-cultural exchanges, development of selfsustaining revenue streams, and deeper community connections.

LEAF International will achieve these goals through the following strategic initiatives:

• Strengthen traditional music and arts programs to enhance community engagement and cultural preservation by deepening existing connections.

• LEAF International will increase the number and frequency of programs in partner countries, and develop metrics for program evaluation and continual improvement.

• Through greater Teaching Artist support, and the development of a program to encourage students to become Teaching Artists, LEAF International will strengthen the culture of arts in program countries and create greater opportunities for students to grow.

• Contribute to the cultural sector of the economy in LEAF International countries.

• Develop cross-cultural connections through use of dynamic technology to broaden perspectives and cultivate global community.

• Leveraging technology including social media, videoconferencing, live-streaming, and more, LEAF International and LEAF Schools & Streets students will be able to engage in

dynamic connectivity with the intention of creating long-term relationships.

• LEAF will deepen and expand partnerships with supporting organizations, and create new relationships with similarly focused groups.

• Expand opportunities for cross-cultural immersion experiences across the LEAF community in a sustainable method.

• By creating opportunities for exchange between LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International students and families, and for exchanges between program Teaching Artists, crosscultural understanding and experience is increased. LEAF International also plans to increase visits to program sites by LEAF Staff and Board.

• Creating self-sustaining revenue streams to support LEAF International programming.

• Through the creative leveraging of program outputs, including recordings of music, partnerships with musicians, and handcrafts, and through the marketing of eco-tourism travel to program sites LEAF International will increase programgenerated revenue. Additionally, targeted research of grants and other funding sources is planned.

• LEAF International Staff Position

• The planned growth of LEAF International programming, and the need to more deeply connect with each LI program creates the necessity for investing in a full-time staff position. This person will coordinate all aspects of the LEAF International program.

LEAF Schools & Streets

There are many youth throughout Asheville and Buncombe County who have limited access to the arts, often for economic reasons.

LEAF Schools & Streets provides low or no-cost arts education by matching artists with youth in schools and communities for residencies, interactive performances and mentoring that includes empowering performance opportunities for youth. These programs inspire students to find their own artistic voice while supporting healthy youth development.

Research from the President’s Council on the Arts & Humanities (2011) outlines the benefits of high quality arts education, which include: student achievement, student motivation and engagement, development of habits of mind including problem solving and critical/creative thinking, and development of social competencies, including collaboration and team work skills, social tolerance, and self-confidence.

LEAF Schools & Streets Programs:

• The Resident Teaching Artist Program places professional artists in programs housed in schools and community centers throughout Buncombe County providing arts education year-round.

• The Visiting Artist Program provides unique learning opportunities to area students through residencies with

festival performers who work with youth 3 to 5 days before the festival, engaging them in learning about their specific artform and culture, with the opportunity for youth to perform on stage at LEAF.

• The Easel Rider, Asheville’s Mobile Art Lab, provides interactive hands-on activities that allow local residents to experience creation on the go. The City of Asheville’s Cultural Arts Division partnered with LEAF in 2013 to operate the Easel Rider, boosting public access to art.

• The LEAF Delta House Jazz Band is a partnership between LEAF Schools & Streets and the Delta House Life Development After School program that provides jazz classes for area youth. This group was excited to host the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 2012 and has since visited this famed Jazz institution in New Orleans and taken a master class.

• The EMErgence Program connects youth with music through technology by hiring local and national teaching artists to provide workshops and installations in the community. These teaching artists educate young, aspiring artists about the evolution of technology and to help them create and produce music.

Each Resident Teaching Artist program engages 12-20 youth on a weekly basis, serving 693 students in 2014 .

Visiting Teaching Artist programs sees 25 youth per program going to LEAF, and up to 300 engaged in the residency

Easel Rider programs engage about 20 youth per program in the community and about 300 youth at each LEAF Festival .

91% of students report they learn about other culture by participating

93% feel they were able to express their own creativity and 98% felt valued by their community after their performances at the LEAF Festival

LEAF Schools & Streets Vision for the Future

In 2020, LEAF Schools & Streets programs empower local youth through cultural, visual and performing arts education and performance opportunities which strengthen community engagement and increase access to the arts through effective partnerships.

LEAF Schools & Streets will achieve these goals through the following strategic initiatives:

• Creating and deepening existing partnerships within the community.

• Partnerships with schools, other organizations, and the community will be strengthened by involving partners in new ways, including as ambassadors to tell the LEAF Schools & Streets story through media, and as friend-raisers throughout the region.

• Opportunities will be created for cultural exchange with LEAF International programs for students and their families and for Teaching Artists.

• Offering pathways for youth to be involved in the creation and implementation of LEAF programs.

• Through the development of a Youth Leadership Board, and increased opportunities for public performance, students in LEAF Schools & Streets will be more engaged and take more ownership of their experiences.

• Developing arts based programming that meets community needs.

• LEAF Schools & Streets will expand programming and partnerships to include other mentoring opportunities for students, including marketing, job shadowing, and more.

• Increasing access to visual arts through the Easel Rider.

• LEAF Schools & Streets will expand the Easel Rider team of artists to build capacity and variety by reaching out to visual and interactive artists for collaboration, and by hiring an Easel Rider Program Coordinator.

LEAF Teaching Artists Institute

Over the course of the life of LEAF Schools & Streets, the role of the teaching artist has become increasingly important to the success of the program. During the 2020 Vision process, LEAF identified the need for a Professional Development program and Teaching Artist Institute. The Institute will be a certification program for teaching artists from around the nation.

Through the Institute, teaching artists will acquire a level of mastery of their art, and at the same time develop the skills needed to teach youth. The program will also cultivate life skills, and assist teaching artists in developing their own economic and cultural empowerment.

The Institute will be open to LEAF teaching artists, and artists from around the nation, providing an educational component to the arts that is not found elsewhere.

Funding Objectives for 2015-2018: Goal $1,500,000

LEAF Endowment: A fund for the future (Goal: $1,000,000)

LEAF’s 5-10 year budget forecast is built around sustainability. The LEAF Endowment is an investment in the long-term ability to grow and meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves by creating a stable resource of funds. Acknowledging this need three years ago, LEAF has now met 14% of the $1,000,000 goal for the endowment by setting aside institutional funds. The LEAF Endowment provides resources to ensure the lasting success of programs that are making a powerful and positive impact in the lives of youth each day.

The LEAF Endowment is managed by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, a trusted leader in non-profit work. The Community Foundation provides long-term, objective stewardship of these funds, and will continue to manage LEAF’s Endowment into the future.

Giving Options

LEAF is encouraging one-time gifts and multi-year pledges. Pledges can be made over a three year period in support of the LEAF Endowment.

Planned Giving

You may choose to include LEAF in your estate plans. Planned giving provides long-range support for LEAF and ensures its work for the future.

LEAF Program Fund: Advancing LEAF’s Programs (Goal: $350,000)

• Program Gifts allow you to designate your funds to the LEAF Program that is most meaningful to you

• LEAF Schools & Streets

• Performing Artist Residencies

• Free Arts Instruction Year-Round to Area Youth

• LEAF International

• Cultural Exchanges Between Program Sites

• Professional Development Fund and salaries for Teaching Artists

• Ongoing Instrumental Needs

Connect with LEAF’s Development Director for specific examples of program funding opportunities.

LEAF Fund: A Fund for today (Goal: $150,000)

To achieve the budget forecast to meet sustainability goals, LEAF is initiating an annual giving program based on charitable giving which will form the bedrock of ‘giving back’ and establish a culture of philanthropy at LEAF.

LEAF Fund Giving Options:

• Unrestricted Gifts allow your generosity to be used by LEAF in the area of greatest need as identified by the organization.

• Operational Gifts support the daily efforts of the LEAF staff and the needs of the organization

Don’t forget to become a LEAF Member in addition to your gift!

Gift Chart:

To raise $1,500,000 from 2015-2018

Ways to Give

Online

Online payments may be made securely at the LEAF Website. Please go to: http://www.theLEAF.org/donate/

Checks

Make checks payable to LEAF Community Arts, and mail to LEAF Community Arts, ATTN: Development Director, 377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Gifts of Stock or Property/Real Estate

To explore ways you can support LEAF through donations of stock and/or real property, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Matching Gifts

If you are employed by a company that matches charitable donations made by employees, and you wish to contribute to LEAF, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Planned Giving

You may choose to include LEAF in your estate plans. If you would like information on how your planned gift can help LEAF’s long-term financial stability and programming, please contact your financial advisor or LEAF’s Development Director at 828-6868742.

LEAF Board of Directors 2015

James Fisher, President

Reggie Tidwell, Vice President

Jill Jones, Treasurer

Mary O’Dwyer, Secretary

Derek Allen

Jen Beasley

Gary Broome

Tracy Massiello Brown

Katie Christie

Ashley Cooper

Cleaster Cotton

Christine DiBenedetto

Bob Deutsch & Sean Devereux, LEAF Attorneys

LEAF Key Staff

Jennifer Pickering, Executive Director & Founder

Jocelyn Reese, LEAF Schools & Streets Director

Adam Bowers, Development Director

Ehren Cruz, Performing Arts Director

Leigh Maher, CFO & Production

Elena Chu, Chief Operations Officer

Ford Willis, Operations Manager

Schree Chavdarov, Community Arts Coordinator

Georgia Beasley, LEAF International Coordinator

Cortina J. Caldwell, Communications Director

Stacy Alonzo, Sponsorship Director

Sarah Onanian, LEAF-To-Go

LEAF International Program Advancement Fund

2015-2018: Goal $150,000

Hosting 13 programs in 10 countries, LEAF International has reached over 1250 students since 2006 with arts education that supports cultural preservation by engaging local teaching artists, and using traditional instruments and costumes. With the goal of contributing to community building in an effective and authentic way, LEAF International works with partner organizations that are already established in the areas where the program operates. LEAF International has helped create music programs in 10 countries: Bequia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico, Panama, Rwanda and Tanzania, and continues to maintain eight of those programs.

The Goal for 2020

LEAF International is growing. In its 2020 Vision Plan LEAF’s goal for the future of the LI program is to “empower communities and preserve cultures through meaningful expansion to more programs, expanded multi-tier cross-cultural exchanges, development of self-sustaining revenue streams, and by deepening community connections.”

LEAF International will accomplish these goals in a variety of ways, including:

• Increasing the frequency of classes, and the number of programs with current partners

• Creating pathways for graduates to become Teaching Artists and leaders

• Developing cross-cultural connections through the use of technology and exchanges to broaden perspectives and cultivate a global community

• Exploring revenue streams that will sustain for the future, including international grants and cultural tourism.

• Implementing a new position within LEAF to support the growth of the LI program

What the Program Fund will Support

Your gift to the LEAF International Program Fund supports the work of LEAF throughout the world. With your gift you can pay a teaching artist, bring students from around the globe to the LEAF Festival to perform, or put instruments in the hands of students. Examples of the work your gifts accomplish include:

$1,000 supports the salary of a Teaching Artist in Guatemala for one year

$2,500 purchases a steel pan for a student in Bequia

$10,000 underwrites the cost of the entire Rwanda program for one year

$20,000 Funds an exchange trip from Tanzania to North Carolina to perform at the LEAF Festival

$32,000 creates a new salaried position to implement LEAF International’s advancing programs

LEAF International Program

Advancement Gift Chart

Gift

Ways to Give

Online

Online payments may be made securely at the LEAF Website. Please go to: http://www.theleaf.org/donate/

Checks

Make checks payable to LEAF Community Arts, and mail to LEAF Community Arts, ATTN: Development Director, 377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Gifts of Stock or Property/Real Estate

To explore ways you can support LEAF through donations of stock and/or real property, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Matching Gifts

If you are employed by a company that matches charitable donations made by employees, and you wish to contribute to LEAF, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Planned Giving

You may choose to include LEAF in your estate plans. If you would like information on how your planned gift can help LEAF’s long-term financial stability and programming, please contact your financial advisor or LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

LEAF Schools & Streets Program Advancement Fund

2015-2018: Goal $200,000

LEAF Schools & Streets inspires students to find and develop their artistic voice while supporting healthy youth development. LEAF Schools & Streets matches artists with youth in schools and communities for residencies, interactive performances and mentoring that includes empowering performance opportunities for youth. LEAF Schools & Streets partners with public, private, charter, and home schools for in- and after-school programs, and also provides programs through partnerships with public housing communities and community centers.

The Goal for 2020

As part of LEAF’s 2020 Vision Plan, the LEAF Schools & Streets programs will be strengthened so that they will continue to empower local youth through cultural, visual and performing arts education and performance opportunities which strengthen community engagement and increase access to the arts through effective partnerships.

LEAF Schools & Streets will continue to deepen its impact and focus on sustainability by:

• Creating and deepening existing partnerships within the community

• Offering pathways for youth to be involved in the creation and implementation of LEAF programs

• Increasing access to visual arts

• Developing a model for the Teaching Artist Institute Certification Program

What the Program Fund will Support

Your gift to the LEAF Schools & Streets Program Fund supports the work of LEAF in the western North Carolina community. Many children in this region do not have access to the arts, and your gift will help to change that. Over 45,000 youth have participated in these programs over the past decade, and your support will ensure that so many more will have that opportunity. Examples of the work your gifts accomplish include:

$750 supports a week-long Artist Residency at LEAF Arts & Parks Camp

$1,200 pays the cost of on Visiting Teaching Artist to work with youth in a high-poverty school

$7,500 pays the stipend of a LEAF Schools & Streets Teaching Artist

$12,000 supports the 1 Mic recording studio at the Burton Street Community Center

$25,000 funds the Easel Rider Program for one yer

Connect with LEAF’s Development Director for specific examples of program funding opportunities.

LEAF Schools & Streets Gift Chart

Gift

Ways to Give

Online

Online payments may be made securely at the LEAF Website. Please go to: http://www.theleaf.org/donate/

Checks

Make checks payable to LEAF Community Arts, and mail to LEAF Community Arts, ATTN: Development Director, 377 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Gifts of Stock or Property/Real Estate

To explore ways you can support LEAF through donations of stock and/or real property, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Matching Gifts

If you are employed by a company that matches charitable donations made by employees, and you wish to contribute to LEAF, please contact LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.

Planned Giving

You may choose to include LEAF in your estate plans. If you would like information on how your planned gift can help LEAF’s long-term financial stability and programming, please contact your financial advisor or LEAF’s Development Director at 828-6868742.

LEAF Endowment: A fund for the future (Goal: To Secure $1,000,000)

LEAF’s 5-10 year budget forecast is built around sustainability. Three years ago, the LEAF Board of Directors identified the need for a dedicated Endowment. Since then, LEAF has set aside funds each year now totaling $142,000. These funds are the foundation for the future. Your gift will build upon that foundation toward the initial goal of $1,000,000. A gift to the LEAF Endowment is the most lasting, most impactful gift you can make.

The LEAF Endowment is an investment in the long-term ability to grow and meet the evolving opportunities in the communities LEAF serves by creating a stable resource of funds. The LEAF Endowment provides resources to ensure the lasting success of programs that are making a powerful and positive impression in the lives of youth each day.

The LEAF Endowment is managed by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, a trusted leader in non-profit work. The

Community Foundation provides long-term, objective stewardship of these funds, and will continue to manage LEAF’s Endowment into the future.

Giving Options

LEAF is encouraging one-time gifts and multi-year pledges. Pledges can be made over a three year period in support of the LEAF Endowment.

Planned Giving

You may choose to include LEAF in your estate plans. Planned giving provides long-range support for LEAF and ensures its work for the future.

Please see the reverse side of this page for more information about Planned Giving.

The LEAF Endowment

Goal: To Secure 50 Planned Gift Expectancies during the Campaign

Please Consider Making a Planned Gift During the Campaign

Well into the future, LEAF Community Arts will be grateful for the generosity of its members and donors who had the foresight to make a planned gift.

There are several basic steps and considerations for making a Planned Gift.

1. What is a Planned Gift? A planned gift is any gift which requires the assistance of a professional staff person, a qualified volunteer, or the donor’s advisors to complete. In addition, it includes any gift which is carefully considered by a donor in light of estate and financial plans.

The flexibility of some planned giving options makes them popular; they can have significant tax advantages and even provide income for the donor.

2. Planned gifts usually come in the following forms:

• A Bequest through a Will (using a codicil)

• Charitable Remainder Trust

• Life Insurance

• Tangible Assets (art, home, etc.)

3. Before considering making a Planned Gift, we strongly encourage you to speak with your financial/and or legal advisor.

4. Leaving a legacy is a wonderful testament to one’s commitment and devotion to LEAF’s good work in the community and the world, and we commit to honoring your wishes at the highest level and to perpetuating your name as a legacy donor.

If you would like information on how your planned gift can help LEAF’s long-term financial stability and programming, please contact your financial advisor or LEAF’s Development Director at 828-686-8742.