leave a legacy of impact
Sixty years ago, a group of visionaries and dreamers forever impacted the cultural landscape of Cincinnati in a YMCA studio. Over the course of its history, Cincinnati Ballet has grown into the company we know and love today, attracting world-class artists, performing inspiring works, and connecting us through the power and beauty of dance. From a dream grew a legacy.
As we look to the next 60 years and beyond, you can create your own legacy that builds on our foundation and sets the stage for a bright future. Choosing to leave a legacy gift to Cincinnati Ballet will light the path for future dreamers and ensure we can continue to uplift, delight, and inspire audiences for many years to come.
Every legacy gift we receive supports our work both on stage and behind the scenes. No matter the size, your gift will make it possible for us to create and stage new works, revisit our favorite stories, nurture our dancers, and inspire future generations of talented young performers and artists.
We are truly grateful for every act of generosity from people like you, who make the decision to pass a love of ballet on to future dancers and audiences. Thank you for helping to ensure that this artform will continue to live on and for turning your love into your legacy.
If you’d like to learn more about how your love for ballet can create joy and inspiration for future generations, we invite you to connect with your local Planned Giving Manager or explore our Planned Giving Brochure.
“When my husband John and I wrote our will, we thought about where we want our support to continue after we are gone.
For me, the Cincinnati Ballet was of prime importance in that consideration.
My special wish is for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic or family background, to be able to experience ballet in a live performance. This is personal for me. Growing up in a small, rural community, I loved watching ballet on television, but I did not have access to live performances. I saw my first live ballet – Balanchine’s “Jewels”- in my mid-twenties on a free ticket, and I was spellbound.
By including Cincinnati Ballet in my will, I want to help the Ballet share the thrill of live ballet with everyone, especially children, now and long into the future.”
Carol Kerr
Welcome to the Kellar memorial Society
The Kellar Society recognizes those who choose to include Cincinnati Ballet in their will or estate plans, allowing us to continue to enrich our community through the beauty, power, and passion of dance – not just today, not just tomorrow, but far into our future.
We also celebrate the life and lasting impact of one of our greatest supporters – Larry Kellar. For 50 years, Larry gave his time and treasure to keep the Ballet resilient in lean times and helped to propel the Cincinnati Ballet to become a cornerstone in our community’s arts scene.
To join the Kellar Society, please notify us in writing of your intention to make a bequest and send us a copy of the relevant section of your will or a letter of confirmation from your estate planner. Through exclusive experiences and behind-the-scenes events, we look forward to celebrating you and inviting you to experience the impact of your future gift first-hand.
Members of the Kellar Society will enjoy the opportunity to:
- Meet our gifted dancers
- Go backstage and into the studios to experience our artists in action
- Attend special events curated exclusively for Kellar Society members including an annual luncheon
- Receive recognition in publications
- And more!
Types of Planned Gifts
From bequests to IRA distributions, there are many ways you can make a legacy gift to Cincinnati Ballet. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after all provisions are specified.
- Estate Gifts
- Bequests made through a will or trust allow you to designate how your estate will be distributed.
- IRA or Retirement Fund
- A retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or IRA, can be a tax-efficient and simple way to include Cincinnati Ballet in your estate plan. Most retirement plans are subject to income tax if the beneficiary is a person and not charitable organizations. Supporting a charity allows you to give the full account value to the Ballet to maximize the impact of your gift.
- Life Insurance
- When the original purpose for a life insurance policy no longer applies, naming the Ballet as the primary or partial beneficiary can become a meaningful way to support the Ballet.
- Donor Advised Funds
- You can name the Ballet as the beneficiary of the entire account or a percentage of the fund. With a percentage, your loved ones can continue recommending grants to charitable organizations as well.
- Bank Accounts or Brokerage Accounts
- Through your bank or your brokerage account, you can name persons or charities as the beneficiary of your funds after your lifetime. Until that time, you remain in control and can change the beneficiary any time.
Our Pledge
To the honor the impact of your commitment, Cincinnati Ballet has developed the following guiding principles:
- Serving the best interest of our supporters is our primary concern. If the financial interest of the donor is compromised, we will not accept the gift in question.
- All supporters who are making a legacy gift in their will are encouraged to seek the counsel of their own legal and tax advisors regarding their proposed gift.
- All information concerning bequest gifts will be confidential unless permission is obtained to release the information.
- All matters pertaining to the investment of the funds shall be under the control of Cincinnati Ballet Foundation’s board discretion and their Investment Policy Statement.
- We encourage you to discuss any plans you might have for your estate with your professional legal and accounting advisors.
CONTACT US
Connect with our Director of Development.
