It has been a very busy year for Britt, and perhaps that’s why we feel 2014 flew by so quickly. We’ve reached new goals and met new challenges while experiencing another successful season. And we know none of that would be possible without our amazing community support and why we owe you, our valued friends, a warm and sincere thank you.

As I have written before, Britt’s long-term financial stability and the strength and vitality of the community of Jacksonville are inextricably linked.

Whether you support Britt Festivals through membership, Business Partnerships, advertising or the Classical Annual Fund, your contributions are making a huge difference. Your support today plays a crucial role in sustaining the world-class artistry and innovative programming at Britt and the expansion of our community-wide education programs.

You might not have considered this before, but you can also be an integral part of Britt Festivals’ future by including a charitable gift within your overall estate and planned giving. With a little planning, you can leave a legacy that will ensure the art of music on our hill is available for future generations. Please consider contributing to our community’s future by planning for a special kind of gift. Although ongoing cash contributions to the Britt Festivals are always needed and appreciated, there are other creative and flexible options that can benefit you and the Britt Experience for generations to come.

We hope you’ll consider becoming a part of the Britt Sequoia Heritage Program by including a legacy gift to Britt Festivals in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers these main benefits:

Simplicity. Just a few sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed.

Flexibility. Because you are not actually making a gift until after your lifetime, you can change your mind at any time.

Versatility. You can structure the bequest to leave a specific item, real estate, or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to Britt Festivals. Also, legacy gifts can be designated to support a specific program, i.e. Classical Festival, Education programs, or the pops concert series, etc.

Possible Tax Relief. If your estate is subject to estate tax, your gift may be entitled to an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift’s full value.

If you are interested in learning more, contact your attorney or financial advisor. Or feel free to contact me directly. All inquiries will remain confidential.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!