Sustainability Fund and Endowment Gifts
Guadalupe Center encourages donors to support our Sustainability Fund, a board-designated quasi-endowment which provides long term stability for Guadalupe Center. Unlike permanent endowment, the Sustainability fund offers flexibility. It is invested for growth and income, but can be used for strategic priorities with approval by the Board of Trustees.
In the case of endowments for restricted purposes, the specific restriction(s) must be accepted by the Board of Trustees prior to Guadalupe Center’s acceptance of the commitment. In general, a commitment of $100,000 or more is required to establish a named fund (restricted or unrestricted).
Building Guadalupe Center’s Sustainability Fund is one of the most important investments you can make. It will guarantee the stability and continuity of our programs for generations to come, ensuring that children in Immokalee have access to resources and programs that break the cycle of poverty through education.
In 2016, longtime advocates Rosemary and Walter Blankley created the Blankley Endowment challenge to directly support scholarships for Tutor Corps students. They invited others to join them by contributing to the endowment. This resulted in $1 million gift from the Blankleys to match the funds raised. Today the fund has more than $6 million dollars, and helps ensure Guadalupe Center’s annual scholarship commitment is met each year. The Blankley Tutor Corps Scholarship Endowment is a powerful example of how donors can compound their gift to sustain and grow our programs.
“My opinion of Guadalupe Center is that it is the most effective organization of this type I have ever witnessed. People should consider what we do in Immokalee as best practice.”
Walter Blankley (1935-2020)
Retired CEO, Ametek
Guadalupe Center Board member (2007-2020)
Your contribution to the Blankley Tutor Corps Scholarship Endowment can help ensure that all Tutor Corps students have the funding needed to attain a college education. In addition, by growing the fund we are able to strategically expand access to programming to more students in Immokalee.
Legacy of Hope Society
Guadalupe Center’s Legacy of Hope Society recognizes and celebrates those thoughtful donors who indicate support of Guadalupe Center through their estate plans or a deferred gift. This commitment is typically made through specific provisions in their wills, trusts, life insurance, IRA or bank account beneficiaries, charitable trusts, and other vehicles.
Irrevocable planned gifts accompanied by a signed gift agreement will be valued, recorded and recognized and may be eligible for naming opportunities. Revocable planned gifts that are accompanied by a signed gift disclosure will not be valued and recorded, however the donor will be recognized in Guadalupe Center’s Legacy of Hope Society.
Martha and Ray Wernig, longtime donors of Guadalupe Center, were among the first investors in the Endowment Fund of Guadalupe Center 2020 & Beyond. The Wernigs made the lead gift and established the Wernig Early Childhood Education Endowment Fund. “Without good teachers, Guadalupe Center cannot provide the excellent Early Childhood Education they currently offer, and providing the right environment for teachers is crucial.” – Ray Wernig
Their commitment was extended through an estate gift solidifying their place in the Legacy of Hope Society. Their generosity continues to support our students and teachers today. The Wernigs are just one example of how donors can make gifts that leave a lasting legacy through planned giving.
Professional Advisors
Our voluntary professional advisors have a great deal of experience in assisting individuals and families with planned giving strategies. We recommend consulting your attorney or advisor when considering a planned gift. The following is a list of professional advisors familiar with Guadalupe Center that can assist you or your advisor with any questions you may have:Juan Bendeck, Esq.
Shareholder, Trust, Estates and Wealth Preservation
Dentons Cohen & Grigsby
Dan Capes, Esq.
Shareholder, Trust & Estates Attorney
Dunwody White & Landon, P.A.
Council Chair
Robert (Bobby) Carroll
Partner
Galbraith Weatherbie Law
Robert (Bobby) Davis, MM, CLU®, CLTC
Field Director, Wealth Management Advisor
Northwestern Mutual
Kelly R. Dee, CPA, CFP®
President
Dee & Associates
Charles M. Jarrett, CFP®, CPWATM, CEPA, CIMA®, ChFC, CLU, CRPC®
Senior Vice President, Private Wealth Advisor
Merrill Private Wealth Management, Cenname Team
Charles A. Kerwood III, CFP®, ChFC®, AEP®
Partner
Waller Financial Planning Group, Inc.
Alon Naftali
Senior Vice President
Fifth Third Bank
Iris Serrano, CFP
HBKS Wealth Advisors
Ellen Vanderburg, CPA
Retired, CPA and Senior Fiduciary Manager
Legacy of Hope Society
Mark Warnken
Senior Vice President, Senior Wealth Advisor
Bessemer Trust
