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ECMC Lifeline Foundation, Inc.
The ECMC Lifeline Foundation, Inc., is the not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation whose mission is to assist ECMCC in procuring the resources needed to be the Medical Center of choice through excellence in patient care and customer service.
Since ECMC is now an independent Public Benefit Corporation and is no longer a part of Erie County, it is dependent on receiving support from the people it has helped for so long and from those who may need their services in the future.
The Lifeline Foundation is the recognized means by which donors can support the medical center's patient care services. These gifts can be given in many forms, including cash donations, proceeds from community benefits, corporate contributions and matching gifts, United Way donor choice designations, planned gifts, grants and more. Donors can designate their contributions to a specific medical center department or have it applied to the general operating needs where it is most effective.
Annual Gifts
These gifts are normally in response to a mailing and are contributions for the current, unrestricted use of the medical center to help defray the operating costs and to support our patient care priorities. These donations help insure the day-to-day operation of ECMC and the Lifeline Foundation.
Gifts of Honor
These gifts are given to salute and celebrate the accomplishments of others and can range from birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and new job positions.
Memorials
These gifts are made to remember a loved one, family member or friend.
Community Benefits
Service clubs, veterans' organizations, school groups and community organizations can donate the proceeds from their own events as a way of thanking the medical center staff for their past and future efforts.
Corporate Contributions
Businesses may decide to designate ECMC as the recipient of their employees charitable contribution programs or through their overall corporate charitable giving policy.
Matching Gifts
Some organizations encourage charitable giving by matching employee contributions. Check with your employer to see if they will match your gift to ECMC.
Gifts of Real Estate
Real estate may be contributed as an outright gift or to finance a “planned gift.”
Gifts of Personal Property
These gifts can include works of art, manuscripts, rare books, antique furnishings, jewelry and other personal items of value.
United Way Donor Choice Program
United Way contributors may choose to specifically designate their United Way contribution directly to ECMC, a specific department at ECMC or the ECMC Lifeline Foundation only through the “Donor Choice Program.” This is the only way your United Way donation can reach the medical center since ECMC does not receive any dedicated funding from the United Way campaign.
Planned Gifts
“Planned gifts” allow you to make a significant gift while maintaining financial security for you and your family. Bequests, retirement plan designations, gifts of life insurance, gift annuities and charitable trusts are just a few types of “planned gifts.” These gifts often provide attractive tax advantages and other financial benefits for the donor and their beneficiaries. You should always consult with your personal financial planner and/or attorney while making your planned giving decisions.
- Bequests: For many, this is the most significant gift that can be made. A charitable bequest removes assets from the donor's estate and reduces federal taxes.
- Retirement Plans: A donor can make a deferred gift by naming ECMC/ECMC Lifeline Foundation beneficiary of his or her retirement plan.
- Life Insurance Gifts: A donor can name ECMC/ECMC Lifeline Foundation as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy.
- Gift Annuities: These are both a charitable contribution and an investment. The annuity provides guaranteed fixed income for the donor's lifetime and/or for the lifetime of another beneficiary.
- Charitable Remainder Trust: This generates income for the donor that is fixed or that fluctuates with market conditions and the growth of the trust. Income may continue through the donor's lifetime or for a set term and benefit a charity (ECMC/ECMC Lifeline Foundation) upon death.
- Charitable Lead Trust: Designed for a donor who would like to give to ECMC/ECMC Lifeline Foundation but also wants to pass assets on to family members. ECMC/ECMC Lifeline Foundation receives income interest for a period of years or for a period of someone's lifetime. After that time, the trust reverts to the donor or the donor's beneficiaries.
A volunteer board of directors consisting of members of the Western New York community governs the ECMC Lifeline Foundation. The board employs a full-time executive director. He or she is responsible for managing the Foundation’s priorities, as established by the board of directors, through the Foundation’s professional staff.
