THE RED SHIELD SYMPOSIUM STRENGHTENS PHILANTHROPIC IDEALS AND PARTNERSHIPS
A recent $800,000 gift to The Salvation Army in St. Charles was as simple as one meeting.
"My client said he wanted to help the poor and underprivileged," said estate planner Rudy Beck, who attended the Salvation Army’s recent 29th annual Red Shield Symposium, a gathering for estate planners, attorneys, philanthropic advisors, and planned giving professionals.
"I said, ‘The greatest organizations I know to provide that care, there are several [of them] in St. Charles," Beck said.
"He said, ‘What about The Salvation Army?’
"'Don’t go any further,'” Beck said. “'The Salvation Army would be perfect for what you cared about and where you would like to see the money spent.'”
Beck explained, “This was one meeting. He said yes to the Salvation Army.”
With estate planning, donor advisors shepherd the legacy wishes of donors and direct their intentions towards charitable causes and other initiatives important to the person’s life.
About 60 attendees of the Red Shield Symposium, which was sponsored by Summit Marketing and Edward Jones, heard a specialized, full-day presentation by Dr. Samuel Donaldson at the Frontenac Hilton on practical information that aimed to make the most of donations, based on the latest national and state regulations on philanthropic giving and estate tax.
"I have a lot of people that are charitably inclined," said one seminar attendee, who preferred to stay anonymous, based on his position as a major gift planner. "I had a client that just gave quite a bit of money [to several organizations]."
Other towns and regions have similar Red Shield Symposiums from The Salvation Army with similar aims, to bring together professionals in the financial services field to network and share ideas.
"The Red Shield Symposium is a well-respected learning opportunity, offering CEUs [continuing education units] to financial and legal professionals," said Patti Christen, Senior Director of Philanthropy. "People also come to network and get the latest information about changing tax laws, et cetera. Many have come year after year."
Mike Towers, Director of Gift and Estate Planning, who did much of the organizing of attendees and event logistics, said, "The symposium helps connect people with the mission of the Salvation Army and how their giving can impact lives in the most beneficial way for St. Louis and the donor."
