ACT Endowment Fund http://www.generousact.org

Excerpts from a past press release:

The Adirondack Community Trust (ACT) has established a North Country SPCA Fund.  Encouraging
people to contribute to this Fund will help to build a strong financial base for animal welfare in Essex County.

"Following three years of intensive work to stabilize the NCSPCA we know that establishing an endowment fund with ACT will enable us to realize our goal to provide the best possible care for homeless pets in Essex
County.  We are confident that this Fund at ACT will increase our ability to serve the communities of Essex County and provide a stable source of income for the future of the NCSPCA." Suzanne McSherry, past President.

"ACT is very pleased to be working with the North Country SPCA to establish a vehicle for long-term endowment building that will provide a stable, predictable source of income each year for shelter operations," said Executive Director Cali Brooks. "We are honored to offer this service to an important organization serving our Adirondack communities."

The North Country SPCA Fund is an Organization Fund, which is a vehicle for a nonprofit to establish an endowment fund within the Adirondack Community Trust. For many nonprofits, it is often difficult to provide long-term
stewardship and expert investment management of their endowments. It, therefore, makes sense for ACT and the nonprofit to "partner" on the endowment management front. An annual distribution creates a stream of
income to the organization for its own use. ACT provides investment economy and management expertise and the staff and board can focus on the core mission of the organization. Contributions to the North Country SPCA Fund
are accepted on an ongoing basis.

BEQUESTS:

 A bequest is a gift by means of a will, a trust or other such legal instrument. By making a bequest to the North Country SPCA, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your legacy of love for animals will continue to help the homeless and unwanted dogs and cats of Essex County when you can no longer offer that gift in person.

Bequests are the financial foundation that makes it possible for the North Country SPCA to provide ongoing extraordinary care to the animals entrusted to us.

There are several ways you can make a bequest to the North Country SPCA. For example, you might consider

• donating a specific dollar amount from your estate;

• donating a percentage of your estate; or  

• donating the residue of your state (that part not given to others).

If you would like to make a bequest to the North Country SPCA, or simply to learn more about the process and how your gift will benefit the animals, please call Hannah Deming at (518) 962-8604, or speak with your personal attorney. We’ve recently sent information to all attorneys licensed to practice in Essex County. If your attorney needs more information, we would be happy to provide it.

PET MEMORIAL GIFTS:

If you would like to recognize the passing of your beloved pet, or perhaps support a friend or loved one mourning the loss of their four-legged friend, you might consider making a pet memorial gift, by sending a monetary donation to: 

            North Country SPCA

            23 Lake Shore Drive

            Westport, NY 12901

If you include a note with the name of the pet whose memory you are honoring, we will proudly mention it in our biannual publication, “Paw Prints,” and issue a memorial card upon request.  If you include a picture we will post it to our upcoming online Memorial Pet Page.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS: 

If you have lost a friend or loved one who had a special affinity for animals, what better way to remember them than through a memorial donation? If you would like to make such a donation, please contact the North Country SPCA at      (518) 962-8604, or speak with the funeral home director.

SEFA DONATIONS:

What is SEFA?

SEFA, the State Employees Federated Appeal, is a joint venture of State employees, public employee unions, management and not-for-profit organizations. Through SEFA, State employees provide much needed funding statewide for over 4,000 healthcare and human service agencies. SEFA is people helping people. It is the ONLY authorized fundraising campaign among State employees. Your gift through SEFA reduces the need for participating organizations to conduct separate fundraising drives.

State employees have established a strong tradition of supporting SEFA. In 2003-2004, the statewide SEFA Campaign raised $9,239,739

The SEFA Pledge and Payroll Deduction Card makes it easy to support the nonprofit organizations that help those in need by offering the contributor several options. Contributors can put their contribution to work in the county where they are employed, where they live, or any other community in New York State that they desire.

SEFA – Efficient – Effective – Accountable

Because we rely on State employee volunteers, SEFA campaigns operate at the lowest cost possible. SEFA regulations set a maximum limit of 15% on a campaign’s fundraising and administrative costs. In the Capital Region, SEFA campaign costs range from 8 to 10 cents of each dollar raised. It is through the dedication and hard work of the SEFA volunteers that we are able to apply your contributions directly to the service organizations, not to administrative costs.

To assure fiscal and professional integrity, a campaign committee, made up of representatives from the State employee unions, management and not-for-profit organizations, carefully review and monitor the organizations that are funded donations through SEFA. State employees have the majority vote on the committee.

Financial reports for the individual agencies may be requested from either the NYS Department of Law at the following address or directly from the participating agencies. A report for any SEFA campaign may be obtained from the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau – F.O.I.L. Section, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271 for a fee.

For more information about the SEFA, visit the statewide SEFA Home Page at www.sefa.state.ny.us