members

Giving FAQ

September 30, 2011 by peter

Frequently Asked Questions about our new Donor Levels and Policies:

  • When will the changes to donor giving levels/initiation of the Conductor’s Circle take place?

The Conductor’s Circle will officially be started on May 1, 2010. All gifts made before this date will be counted towards the old Angel giving levels and benefits.

  • What is the rotation for the Conductor Circle levels?

Benefits, as already outlined, will be offered on a 12-month cycle from when donations are made or pledged. If a level is reached by making several smaller gifts, you will be considered at that level for the amount of time that all of your gifts fall within 12-months of each other. If one portion of the gift is not renewed, a donor’s benefit level will change accordingly.

  • What if I don’t attend/use all or any of the benefits at my level – will my tax-deductibility be altered?

Yes, you are only responsible for reducing your tax-deductibility for the benefits that you used, not all that was offered at your level.

  • What if I forget that a portion of my donation is about to expire – will you remind me?

We will do our best to contact all donors when it is time to renew any gift. However, please feel free to contact the Development Department at any time if you have a question about your Conductor’s Circle membership.

  • What donations will not be considered towards my Conductor’s Circle membership level?

While we are grateful for the generosity of our donors in every way they support NYCGMC, the following gifts will not be counted towards Conductor’s Circle membership levels:

    • Membership Dues for singing chorus members
    • Tickets to NYCGMC or YPC concerts
    • Business related program ads
    • Tickets/donations/auction purchases to galas and fundraising events (contributions made through a paddle raise ARE included, as are auction purchases to the extent they are tax deductible)
    • Ticket purchases/donations at small events (Sea Tea, Leather & Levis, etc)
    • Door donations at concerts, unless donor prearranges with the Development Department/Executive Director
    • Board Membership Dues
    • Annual Membership Drive donations by friends & family (aka, donations the donor does not personally make)
    • Funds collected at parties or events that you personally host for the benefit of NYCGMC, unless pre-arranged with the Development Department and/or Executive Director
    • Rehearsal bake sale/coffee/etc donations (50/50 “give backs” and bake sale “matches” ARE included)
    • In-Kind donations made to the organization, unless pre-arranged with the Development Department and/or Executive Director
  • What if I get a Matching Gift in addition to my donation – can that increase my Conductor’s Circle Membership Level?

Yes, the total of the donor’s gift and the matching gift can be combined to bring the donor to a higher level, BUT the donor has to take the goods & services out of their donation, so their tax deductibility will be reduced. Depending on their company’s policy, this might effect how much the match amount is granted.

  • What if I secure a gift or grant form a corporation or foundation for NYCGMC – can that increase my Conductor’s Circle Membership Level?

While we as an organization are thrilled when members take the initiative to help us secure donations from outside sources, these grants cannot be considered part of a donors giving in relationship to their conductor’s circle level.

  • Why is my listing in the program different than the level of benefits I receive?

For our donor list found in our concert programs, we include ALL giving a donor makes, including some of the donation/purchases that the Conductor’s Circle membership does not calculate into your level, such as dues, event related purchases/donations, etc. We feel this is the fairest way to acknowledge all of the support of we receive from our donors, such as in-kind donations, support for our fundraising events, etc.