Planned Giving

Ways to give through your estate plan

Creating an estate plan ensures that your hard-earned assets go to the people and places you choose. You can name the Joffrey in your estate plan in a number of easy ways:

Will or trust

Bequests made through a will or trust allow you to designate how your estate will be distributed. 

Sample bequest language to include in your will or trust documents:

• "I give to The Joffrey Ballet, 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Federal Tax Identification Number 36-4009741, _____Dollars ($_____) / ___% of my estate."

• "If [name/s of primary beneficiary/ies] do/es not survive me, or shall die within ninety (90) days from the date of my death, or as a result of a common disaster, then I give to The Joffrey Ballet, 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, Federal Tax Identification Number 36-4009741, [insert here the exact dollar amount or percentage of residual estate]."

Retirement plans

A retirement plan, such as 401(k) and IRA, can be a tax-efficient and simple way of including the Joffrey in your estate plan. Designate part or all of your retirement plan to the Joffrey through a beneficiary designation form available from your plan administrator or through your online account.

Most retirement plans are subject to income tax (and possibly estate tax) if the beneficiary is a person. However, a charitable organization that is named as a beneficiary does not pay income or estate tax. This enables you to give the full account value to the Joffrey and leave more favorably taxed assets to your heirs or other beneficiaries.

Donor-advised fund

Designate part or all of the remaining balance of your donor-advised fund to the Joffrey.

Life Insurance Policy

You can ask your provider to change the beneficiary of your policy and designate the Joffrey. You continue to own and control the policy but you will not receive an income-tax deduction because the designation to the Joffrey would be revocable.

Benefits

• A gift from your estate is a deferred commitment and remains in your control during your lifetime; you can modify your estate plan at any time.

• You can designate your gift to the area that is most meaningful to you or allow the Joffrey to direct it to the area in greatest need.

• The Joffrey is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization; assets from your estate can transfer to the Joffrey without being taxed, which can be advantageous for you and your heirs.

• Planning a gift through your will is easy, it gives you the satisfaction of providing for the Joffrey’s future, and it costs nothing during your lifetime.

• Become a member of the Joffrey's Star Society when you notify us of any planned gift from your estate. Receive invitations to special events and join others in your shared commitment to the Joffrey. Members can choose to be recognized publicly or remain anonymous.

Join The Star Society

The Star Society recognizes those who have made a provision for the Joffrey in their estate plans. If you have already named the Joffrey in your estate plan, please let us know so we may thank you, welcome you as a member of the Star Society, and invite you to our annual luncheon and other appreciation events.

The Joffrey Ballet Star Society

Anonymous (7)

Mr. and Mrs. Brian W. Babcock, Sr.

Pamela Jo Block

D. Jeffrey and Joan H. Blumenthal

Greg Cameron and Greg Thompson

Mr. Paul Chasnoff and Mr. Joe Hopper

Deborah and Cody Engle

Patti S. Eylar and Charles R. Gardner

Ms. Christine B. Fisher

Mr. Michael Goldberger

Sue-Gray Goller

Sandi and Barry Hartstein 

Dale Heiking

Barbara Henigbaum

Marci and Ronald Holzer

Ms. Jessica Jagielnik

Ms. Darlene Johnson

Anne L. Kaplan

Myrna W. Kaplan

Paul Kobasa

Henrietta Leary

Ms. Linda Levey

Philip Lumpkin

Mr. John McAllister

Mr. Kevin McGirr 

Prof. Keith and Anne Moffat

Dr. Elaine Moor

Ms. Jane Ellen Murray and Mr. Edwin Wentz

Mr. Jonathan F. Orser

D. Elizabeth Price

Christine and Daniel Rahill

Eric C. Schieber, MD and Anthony Priore

Mr. Doug Schmidt

Thomas G. Sinkovic

Craig Sirles

Marilyn Slattery

Constance Steinhaus

Jeanette Stevens

Elisabeth Wilcox Szegho

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Waters III

Mary Agnes Welsh

Diana and Stuart Widman

Andrea and Rich Winship

Mrs. Anna Mary Zarrelli

“I first saw the Joffrey when I was a teenage dance student in 1972—it was pure magic and I was hooked for life. What I have learned about the arts, and dance in particular, is that it all has the power to connect us in an unspoken yet powerful language, which is not only invaluable, but irreplaceable. My husband, Rich, and I have included the Joffrey in our estate plans to ensure that our experiences can be passed on to future dance artists and audiences alike. I simply cannot imagine a world devoid of classical ballet and dance.”

— Andrea Winship | Star Society Member

 To register for the Star Society, please click here to complete the Star Society Registration Form.

We're Here to Help

Contact our planned giving office for information on how estate planning can benefit you and The Joffrey Ballet. We would love to help you achieve your philanthropic goals and leave a legacy that is most meaningful to you.

Lauren Gardier

Associate Director of Major Gifts

312.386.8916

lgardier [at] joffrey [dot] org

Legal Information For Your Legacy Gift

• Name: The Joffrey Ballet

• Address: 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60601

• Tax ID: 36-4009741

The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust is the generous sponsor of The Joffrey Ballet's Office of Planned Giving.