Frequently Asked Questions...
What is Walker Methodist Foundation?
Walker Methodist Foundation’s Mission: To enhance the comfort, care, and dignity of all residents within the Walker communities, the Walker Methodist Foundation seeks financial resources that support the mission of Walker Methodist.
Walker Methodist’s Mission is: Walker Methodist exists to champion the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual health of seniors through health programs, residential, and management services. Our values reflect the importance we place on respect for the individual, service through partnerships, and responsibility.
Who is served by Walker Methodist Foundation?
Walker Methodist Foundation serves all of the Walker Methodist communities with funding for programs and services that are not reimbursed at the proper levels or are not reimbursed at all. These programs and services help build community and/or provide quality of life to our residents.
I don’t benefit, why should I give?
You may have a family member or friend who has already used the services of Walker Methodist without realizing it. Contributions help to ensure the services Walker provides will be available now and in the future. Caring for those who cared for us.
What kind of positive changes do you make in the community?
All of Walker Methodist's initiatives and programs provide services and resources to elder residents in the community where they live allowing them to grow and thrive as individuals.
What is the benefit of giving my gift to Walker Methodist Foundation?
Your gift allows you to accomplish more than you can alone. Your gift is instantly combined with others to fund a broad range of programs and services to address the needs of our elders in the communities where they live.
How is my gift used?
Walker Methodist Foundation will accept financial gifts of any size to existing funds:
- Endowment Fund - Gifts to endowment are held in trust and only the earnings are spent, not the original gifts. The earnings from endowment provide a source of revenue for several quality of life enhancement programs, including spiritual care, art, and humanities events.
- Capital Funds - Capital Funds are used to enhance our communities for new programs or build new facilities.
- Unrestricted Funds - Gifts for undesignated purposes enable Walker to respond quickly to meet our top priorities for resident care and services throughout our organization.
- Individual Site/Program Funds - Residents often feel a special desire to support programs within their own community. We encourage residents and families to consider the needs of their Walker home.
Who runs Walker Methodist Foundation?
A volunteer Board of Directors sets policy and strategic direction.
How can I be sure that my contribution is used responsibly?
Philanthropy is based on a voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that contributors and prospective contributors have full confidence in the Walker Methodist Foundation and causes they are asked to support, Walker Methodist Foundation has adopted the Contributor Bill of Rights developed by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel (AAFRC), the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), show as an appendix to this document.
How much of my gift is used for overhead?
It is the Foundation’s intention that all funds provide for annual distribution for the purpose or purposes designated by the contributor, or if no specific purpose is designated, for the general purpose of Walker Methodist.
The Foundation has general administrative costs and hires agents or employees to provide investment advice, management and tax reporting and preparation services. In an effort to secure a permanent and reliable source of funding for Walker Methodist Foundation development and related programs, a percentage of all undesignated income is identified each year to promote the success of the development program. All restricted or designated gifts received by the Foundation are required to provide a one-time amount equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the principal of the total gift. This amount is set aside to fund the development program.
Any cost necessary for a specific fund will be charged directly to that fund. Any fee and expenses will be charged first to income of the fund and, if necessary, the remainder of the corpus.
In the event that the Board of Directors of the Foundation finds it necessary to hire legal counsel to interpret the terms of a gift received by the Foundation, such legal fees shall be charged to the specific fund. Legal fees and expenses for such services shall be charged against income and then to the specific fund corpus.
Gifts not subject to this policy:
- Non-convertible gifts-in-kind; and
- Grants from public and private foundations, city, county, state and federal agencies whose allocations guidelines prohibit the use of awards for overhead or indirect cost purposes.
Charities Review Council of Minnesota says a nonprofit is using contributions responsibly if its overhead is limited to 30 percent of donations. Other watchdog groups say 40 percent is an acceptable standard.
How do I give to Walker Methodist Foundation?
You can give right now with a one time gift, an annual pledge with an installment plan, or a recurring gift by using: Cash/Check, Credit card, Stock
You can make future or deferred gifts :Bequest, Charitable Gift Annuities, Beneficiary designation in wills or trust, Charitable Remainder Trust, Life Insurance Policies
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, Walker Methodist Foundation is a 50l(C)3 organization. Your gift is tax deductible as provided by law.
If you have more questions or want more information, please contact the Foundation Office.
3737 Bryant Avenue South · Minneapolis, Minnesota 55409
Phone: 1-800-735-3048 · (612) 827-8591 · Fax: (612) 827-8458
Email: bwinkel@walkermeth.org
