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Endowment Fundraising
Campaign
Dear Members and Friends:
The Board of Directors of the Alliance Française de Charlottesville [AFC] is pleased to announce an annual giving campaign, beginning in November and continuing into 2008. For the fifteen years of its existence, the AFC, a Virginia 501-C3 non-profit organization, has funded its educational and cultural programs solely through fees from French-language classes and membership dues; it receives no financial support from French or American governmental entities.
Since its founding in 1992, AFC has developed into a unique community resource. Hundreds of citizens, from 5 to 85 years of age, have studied in its French-language classes in Virginia and in France, a significant percentage on AFC quarterly and annual grants. International exchanges for students, teachers and tourists are organized and conducted in the framework of its international and sister city programs. Our Sister City agreement with Besançon, France is a vital reality for Charlottesville and owes much to AFC’s early exploration of the relationship and financial and other support for exchanges and activities.
AFC offers a rich array of cultural opportunities to the community as well. With its limited resources, it brings lecturers of international reputation, a variety of musical performances, art exhibitions, and educational commemorations of historical events to Central Virginia. The enclosure to this letter details a representative sample of AFC cultural and social activities for the coming several months.
The AFC fiscal year, which ended on June 30, 2007, registered substantial achievements in a number of key areas. The program budget for school and cultural activities grew by 50% over the previous year. Details of the AFC’s financial statements are illustrated by the pie charts on the obverse side of this letter. The organization concluded the year in sound financial condition. Mrs. Andrée Madec-King, Founding President and CEO, was presented with a prestigious decoration by the Republic of France at a ceremony in the salon of Mrs. Roulhac Toledano. In addition to normal activities, a year-long series of historical commemorations and reenactments was successfully completed in connection with the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route and the 225th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. These events, for which AFC was the Central Virginia coordinator, included “Revolutionary Day” at Ashland-Highlands where approximately 500 school children enjoyed a hands-on experience with history. And, finally, the AFC Board, which provides counsel and sets policy and serves without remuneration, was strengthened by the election of Mrs. Marejke Ford, Dr. Bruce Carter, and Mr. Ridgely Porter for two-year terms.
The annual giving campaign will be chaired by Mrs. Catherine Hermay-Vieille, a noted author, with the assistance of Mrs. Jasmine Warren and several members of the Board. Contributions to the campaign will support specific school and cultural activities, permitting AFC to further strengthen its offerings to the community. Related events will include a dinner in February, 2008 and a concluding Gala the following November.
Members and others at least 70 1⁄2 years old, who own IRAs, have an opportunity to benefit from special charitable contribution provisions. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows charitable distributions of up to $100,000 from your IRA. A generous gift made directly to Alliance Française will satisfy your required minimum distribution for 2007 and will not be subject to Federal income tax. Qualifying spouses can make similar gifts to AFC with the same Federal tax consequences.
Enclosed you will find a form with the levels of contributions. We hope you will agree that the past performance and future promise of the Alliance Française of Charlottesville merits your generous support.
On behalf of your Board of Directors, a robuste merci for your continued support and participation,
L’ Alliance Française de Charlottesville Annual Giving Committee
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Last updated November 2008