Donor Recognition

There are many ways to be remembered for years to come by making a gift to Braille Institute.

Memorial Gifts: Each Braille Institute center has a prominently displayed Memorial Plaque. For gifts totaling $1,000 or more that are made in memory of someone who has passed away, the honoree’s name will be added to the Memorial Plaque in the Braille Institute center of your choosing. Get more information about memorial gifts, or contact the Office of Development & Planned Giving.

The J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society: In an effort to ensure that Braille Institute will have the opportunity to say “thank you” to people who have remembered us in their estate plan, the J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society was established. Named after Braille Institute’s founder, The J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society is our way of honoring those individuals who have provided for Braille Institute’s future through a will, trust, charitable gift annuity, bank account, IRA account, life insurance policy, company retirement plan, pension, or other instrument which allows the designation of funds to a beneficiary. If you have included Braille Institute in your estate plan, we encourage you to register as a J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society member. Get more information about the Society or about how to leave a bequest to Braille Institute, or contact the Office of Development & Planned Giving.

Mary and John Longyear Society. Braille Institute was founded thanks to the generosity and vision of philanthropists Mary and John Longyear. Through the decades, other generous individuals, corporations, service clubs and foundations have played a profound role in furthering our service to blind and visually impaired persons of all ages. The Mary and John Longyear Society Wall in the lobby of the Sight Center in Los Angeles recognizes extraordinary donors whose cumulative giving totals $500,000 and more. For more information, please contact the Office of Development & Planned Giving.

Naming Opportunities: Opportunities may exist to sponsor some portion of a new or renovated Braille Institute facility, or to establish an endowment fund in the donor’s name. If you are seeking a significant naming or recognition opportunity with a contribution of a gift of $50,000 or more, please contact the Office of Development & Planned Giving.

Please visit our special Braille Institute Planned Giving Web site. The term “planned giving” refers to charitable gifts that require some planning before they are made. Planned gifts are popular because they can provide valuable tax benefits and/or income for life.

Office of Development & Planned Giving
Braille Institute of America, Inc.
741 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90029
Phone: 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553), Ext. 1256
FAX: (323) 663-1428
E-mail: plangift@brailleinstitute.org
Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday

Related links:

Honor a Loved One – You can honor a special occasion, pay tribute to someone you care about or celebrate the memory of a loved one.

A Bequest for Braille Institute – Leaving a bequest through your will or trust is easy.

What to Give – Planning a gift carefully can be as important to you as the gift is to us. This section summarizes the many ways available for you to make a gift to Braille Institute.