USS KIDD under tow en route from Philadelphia

to Baton Rouge after sitting idle for nearly 20 years

in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards.

The Endowment Fund

Since it first opened in 1983, the Memorial has received its primary financial support from the veterans of World War II and their families.  But what will happen when these men and women are gone?  Who will care for the KIDD, the aircraft, the museum, and the Memorial Plaza?  Who will continue the programs used to educate future generations on the price paid to ensure their freedoms?

Planning For The Future

The Endowment Fund is a separate fund from our Membership Program.  Memberships are designed to care for the Memorial here and now in the present day.  Contributions to the Endowment will be held in trust to ensure the perpetuity of the Memorial through the 21st century and beyond.  Interest earned from this fund will be used to defer some of the maintenance and operational costs that today already exceed half a million dollars.  Long after the veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm are gone, they—like those who came before them—will be remembered and honored.

Please join us to help keep history alive by downloading your APPLICATION FORM now!

REMEMBER!  The Louisiana Veterans Memorial Foundation is a 501-C3 non-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Planned Giving

There are several different ways to make contributions to the Louisiana Veterans Memorial Foundation through planned giving. Among them are matching gifts programs, bequests, gifts of stock, and gifts of life insurance. Each of these are described in part below.

Matching Gifts

Many businesses and corporations have matching gifts programs, in which the company may double or even triple contributions made by its employees to a charitable organization. Below is a list of just some of the companies that currently have matching gift programs. Please obtain the proper forms from your human resources or public affairs office and enclose it with your donation. If you do not see your business listed below, inquire if such a program exists in your company.

Bequests

Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming the Foundation as a beneficiary in their wills.  You can easily add us to your will through an amendment called a "codicil" without having to redraft the whole document.  You can designate an outright gift of a specified dollar amount, or you can specify a percentage of your estate.

In all such instances, all family members should be aware of and in agreement with your desire to include such a prevision in your will.

Gifts of Stock

A gift of appreciated stock offers tax savings on two fronts.  First, you avoid paying a capital gains tax on the increased value of the stock.  Second, you receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of that same stock at the time of the gift. Check with you tax accountant for more details.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Some individuals find that they have more than adequate coverage in terms of life insurance through multiple policies acquired through employers and private insurance. By designating a charitable organization like the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Foundation as the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy, you may receive a tax deduction. Check with your accountant and your insurance provider for more details on this form of planned giving and, as always, all family members should be aware of and in agreement with this course of action.

**Copyright 1997-2006 by Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission**