The mission of The Arc of Rensselaer County is to advocate for the rights and safety of individuals of all ages who have an intellectual disability and/or a developmental disability or delay.
The Arc is a source of support, specialized knowledge, and available resources in assisting individuals and their families to meet their needs and goals.
The Arc works to influence societal attitudes and governmental policy so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have access to the services, assistance, and opportunities they need for personal growth and development, and participation in the community.
It is the intent of The Arc of Rensselaer County to move from a systems driven approach to a person centered approach to delivering supports and services to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the community. Operating from a person centered perspective, The Arc works with each individual to tailor a set of supports and/or services. The objective is to assist each individual realize full citizenship in their community of choice.
We seek to discover the needs, wants, and capabilities of each person and to respond with complimentary supports that facilitate community inclusion. We are frequently asking "What do you want?" in an effort to encourage individuals to assume a lead role in making decisions relating to all areas of their lives.
We see planning as a time to build teams of caring and committed people as a primary way to successfully implement plans, as opposed to a process that reinforces program boundaries. An effort will be made to develop a team that reflects the natural diversity of the community beyond human service membership. The plan will be flexible, learning oriented and responsive to each individual situation and our roles will be dictated by individual need rather than program orientation. Each planning process will be managed by a facilitator who is skilled in managing meetings and group dynamics; addressing conflicts; and building collaborative relations among persons with disabilities, their families/advocates, and staff. The person centered plan provides a focused communication and defines a set of roles and responsibilities that support individuals in their choice of life style.
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The Arc of Rensselaer County Foundation is the fundraising arm of The Arc of Rensselaer County. Its mission is to help raise money for the programs and services offered by The Arc of Rensselaer County. The Arc of Rensselaer County Foundation raises money through special events, annual appeals, grants, and major gifts.
Our premiere fundraising event is "An Evening in the Garden". This event began in 2010 as a way to showcase the beautiful sensory garden located at Brunswick Center Services (BCS). It is held every June in a tent at BCS located by the sensory garden. Also highlighted at this event is the artwork created by the participants at BCS. In 2012, over 200 people typically attend the event and have the opportunity to bid on almost 100 live and silent auction items.
Gifts of Cash or Appreciated Securities
An outright gift of cash or appreciated securities is the easiest type of gift to make to ARC. Gifts of cash are fully tax deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income; gifts in excess of 50% may generally be carried forward and deducted over subsequent years. Gifts of appreciated stock (which you have held for more than one year) offer substantial tax savings as well. If you sell the stock, you must pay a capital gains tax. If you donate the stock to ARC, you avoid having to pay the capital gains tax. Furthermore, your gift of stock is fully tax deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. The tax deduction is based on the fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift. Gifts in excess of 30% may generally be carried forward and deducted over subsequent years.
Gifts of Real Estate
A gift to ARC of real property, such as personal residences, vacation home, farm acreage or vacant lot can offer a twofold tax saving. If the property has appreciated in value during your ownership, you must pay a sizeable capital gains tax when you sell it. If you make a gift of the property, you receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property and you also avoid having to pay the capital gains tax. You may also make a gift to ARC of a remainder interest in your personal residence, and continue to live there during your lifetime, while still realizing a tax deduction in the year you make the gift.
Gifts with a Retained Income for Life
You may make a gift of cash, stock, real estate, or personal property to establish a Charitable Remainder Unitrust or a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust. Either option will provide income to you and/or a loved one for the rest of your life, after which the trust's assets revert to ARC. By making this gift, you can increase your income and make a tax-deductible contribution at the same time. (The rate of return you will receive is dependent on many factors, most notably your age at the time of the gift). This type of gift is irrevocable.
Charitable Lead Trust
You may make a gift to set up a trust whereby ARC will benefit from the interest income for a specified period of years. At the end of that time, the principal may pass to your heirs free of tax.
Life Insurance
You may make a gift of life insurance to ARC that provides you with a significant tax deduction. This can be done by purchasing a new policy or by donating a policy that you currently own but no longer need. You may also use your tax savings from gifts of cash, appreciated securities, or property to ARC, to purchase life insurance in a tax-wise manner to "replace" these assets for your loved ones.
Retirement Benefits
You may make a gift to ARC of retirement benefits, thus removing your retirement plan assets from your estate and avoiding taxes potentially as high as 80%.
Wills and Bequests
You may wish to include a bequest to the Rensselaer County Chapter NYSARC, Inc., in your will. Your bequest is fully deductible for federal estate purposes and you also receive a New York State estate tax deduction. The following language is appropriate for donors who would like their bequest to become part of the Rensselaer ARC Endowment Fund, which will last into perpetuity:
I give and bequeath to Rensselaer County Chapter NYSARC, Inc., of Troy, New York, the sum of $________(or, its equivalent value) (or, _____% of my residuary estate), the principal thereof to be invested and the income therefrom to be used to provide services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disabilities, the same to be held as part of the General Endowment Fund of Rensselaer County Chapter NYSARC, Inc., and administered as an integral part thereof.
