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38 Years of Making an Impact

Steve Rowe

Steve's gifts ensure the YMCA of San Diego County will be able to continue to make a difference for future generations.

Steve Rowe had an extraordinary 38-year career with the YMCA of San Diego County before retiring in December 2016. He made the Y a conditional beneficiary of his life insurance policy decades ago, when he first got a director-level job. "I figured if I was going to ask people to leave us an estate gift, I should do it myself first," he remembers.

Over the years, Steve's patient, thought-provoking leadership as Chief Operations Officer transformed individual branches and eventually the whole countywide association. But Steve and his wife, Denise (whom he met through the YMCA), were also transforming their giving and their philanthropic legacy at the same time.

When his father passed away, Steve and his family set up a memorial fund at the East County YMCA. Rather than sending flowers, well-wishers and friends were asked to contribute to that fund as a meaningful way to honor his father's memory. Years later, when his mother passed, he did the same thing for her at the YMCA of San Diego County Team Headquarters office.

"There's an idea that's important to me, that I've tried to pass on to my kids as well," Steve says. "Once I'm gone, did my life matter? Did I help someone else? The idea with my estate gifts is that when I'm no longer here, the gift will still be here and making a difference at the YMCA for those in need."

Steve and Denise continue to support the YMCA with annual gifts and a planned gift for the endowment in their estate plan. If you are interested in leaving a planned gift of any kind to the YMCA of San Diego County, please contact Courtney Cordero at [email protected] or (858) 292-9622 x1985.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the YMCA of San Diego County a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to the YMCA of San Diego County, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 3708 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the YMCA or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the YMCA as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the YMCA as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the YMCA where you agree to make a gift to the YMCA and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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