BUDGET MINDED: - Illinois College of Optometry

ICO MATTERS FALL 2008
15
EYE ON GIVING
EXCITING TIMES
ICO KEEPS CURRENT WITH THE
HELP OF ALUMNI
What distinguishes an ICO donor?
“They have strong feelings for what they do and for their profession,
and they are loyal to the College itself,” says Trish de Maat,
ICO’s Director of Individual Giving and Development
Administration. “Our alumni support ICO because they believe
in the practice of optometry; a donation to ICO moves eye care
forward.”
“We’re in an exciting time here,” de Maat says. “Alumni are
excited about our Strategic Plan and the construction of the
Eyepod [see story p. 12]. The Development Office had an excellent
response to this year’s phon-a-thon, and we added a thanka-thon,
with student callers, to our fundraising calendar.”
De Maat says the students who participated in the thank-a-thon
enjoyed speaking with ICO donors. “Many of the doctors shared
their experiences at ICO and in their practices,” she explains.
“Most importantly, it gave our students an opportunity to personally
thank alumni for their support.”
That support is critical now as the College makes strides forward.
“The future of ICO is dependent on staying current,” says
de Maat. “In order for our students to perform at the highest
level of proficiency after graduation, they must have up-to-date
optometric equipment in an environment conducive to learning
current optometric procedures. Our new Eyepod provides that.”
Eyepod laboratory lane
But it takes more than
tuition to cover expenses
such as state-of-the-art
laboratories. To make
ends meet, ICO gathers
support from corporations,
foundations and
individuals. “Two-thirds
of our philanthropic support
comes from corporations
and foundations,”
de Maat says. “In order to
continue to get that support,
we have to show
that our alumni are stepping
forward as well.”
Trish de Maat
And they are. Last year’s goal for the Annual Fund, which supports
operational costs and is largely supported by alumni, was to
raise $160,000; $266,672 was raised with the help of two estate
gifts. According to de Maat, “Planned gifts are an important
component of our total philanthropic support.”
So is the Leadership Circle. “That’s an amazing group of people,”
de Maat says. “They renew year after year; they are very
loyal. And the group is growing; they promote it among themselves.”
That’s de Maat’s favorite part of her job. “What I enjoy about
ICO is the level of involvement,” she says. “Our alumni care
about their patients, their profession and their alma mater.”
For more information about giving to ICO, contact Trish de
Maat at (312) 949-7071 or pdemaat@ico.edu. Donations can
also be made online at www.ico.edu, or by calling David Korajczyk
at (312) 949-7075 or dkorajczyk@ico.edu.
IRA Charitable Rollover Extended
This fall, the IRA Charitable Rollover was extended through
December 31, 2009.
The legislation allows individuals ages 70½ and older to make
direct transfers from an IRA to one or more charities of their choice.
Up to $100,000 per year in 2008 and 2009 can be transferred without
being recognized as income.
In addition, the transfers will count towards the minimum required
distribution each individual over 70½ is required to take from retirement
accounts each year.
For more information, contact David Korajczyk, Vice President
for Development, at (312) 949-7075 or dkorajczyk@ico.edu.