Fall 2012 UPDATE Newsletter by Barbara Wilson

Development

Planned Giving

Morgan Stanley’s Wayne Meland

Hooked on the cause. Well Done! Great leadership, sound judgment, unquestionable support of the Conservancy mission, outstanding interpersonal skills and an infectious passion for making a difference are just a few of Rob Moher’s traits that earned him the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Everglades Chapter 2012 Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award. Rob’s nomination was made by Board member Tucker Tyler with letters of support from past Conservancy of Southwest Florida Board Chair, Dolph von Arx and Conservancy of Southwest Florida President, Andrew McElwaine. “Rob is the quintessential fundraiser and one of the key leaders responsible for the successful completion of the $38.8 million ‘Saving Southwest Florida’ campaign, a major milestone for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida,” said Tyler. The award was presented at the AFP National Philanthropy Day celebration on November 13, 2012.

Vice President, Development and Marketing Rob Moher

Once again, Wayne Meland at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management was the presenting sponsor for the 2012 RedSnook event held Nov. 2-4. Wayne and Morgan Stanley have been involved with the RedSnook Tournament since 2007. “With recreational fishing in Florida generating over $7.5 billion in revenue and supporting nearly 76,000 full-time jobs, the work of the Conservancy to protect our waters and sport fishing habitat is important to all of us,” said Wayne Meland, Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley. This year’s RedSnook event helped fund the water quality programs and sport fishing habitat research undertaken by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Look for event results at www.conservancy.org/redsnook.

Year-End Gift 2

Double your impact with matching gift challenge.

Throughout this newsletter, highlights of our projects, some of which have continued for multiple years, demonstrate the power of your philanthropy at work. Your generous annual support helps us keep the lights on to work on your behalf and to continue our initiatives to protect our water, land and wildlife. Watch your mail for the year-end appeal and please send in your generous gift as soon as possible. Thanks to two generous supporters, all gifts of $100 and above will be matched up to $100,000, so you can double the impact of your gift!

Raise the Roof The Conservancy of Southwest Florida would like to give a big thank you to Atlantis Roofing of Naples, Inc. on Pine Ridge Rd. for their generous contribution of materials, time and services to reconstruct the roof on the front entrance gazebo at the Nature Center. The gazebo will become the main admissions area for members and guests. Atlantis Roofing is a family owned and operated local roofing company in Southwest Florida providing quality residential and commercial roof installation including some green options such as Enviroshake and Green Eco-Roofing.

2012 Year-End Tax Planning By Christopher P. Bray, JD, CPA By now you’ve likely heard about the “fiscal cliff.” Basically, the phrase is a euphemism for big tax hikes scheduled to take place in 2013. Absent a change in federal legislation before the end of the year, the top federal income tax rate for dividend income will jump from 15 percent to 39.6 percent. The top tax rate for long-term capital gains will jump from 15 percent to 20 percent and the top rate for ordinary income will jump from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. In addition, the new 3.8 percent Medicare surtax related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will take effect in 2013. This new tax is assessed on net investment income for married couples filing jointly with income in excess of $250,000. Federal estate and gift taxes will increase as well. The current top rate of 35 percent will jump to 55 percent and the current $5 million exemption amount will drop to $1 million in 2013. As you might surmise, the advent of the fiscal cliff makes year-end tax planning for 2012 more important than ever. Keep in mind that many of these strategies also involve important investment and other non-tax decisions. Any smart tax planner will always counsel their client – “don’t let the tax tail wag the dog.” Here are 10 strategies to consider implementing this year to protect your finances from the impact of the fiscal cliff. 1. Utilize the $5 million gift tax exemption before it drops to $1 million. 2. Increase the tax-exempt municipal bond allocation in investment portfolios. 3. Decrease the dividend yielding equity allocation in investment portfolios. 4. Accelerate recognition of capital gains. 5. Defer recognition of capital losses. 6. Make charitable contributions of appreciated assets. 7. Convert a regular IRA to a Roth IRA. 8. Maximize employer 401(k) contributions. 9. Direct $13,000 annual exclusion gifts to Section 529 plans. 10. Maximize employer health flexible spending account contributions. Christopher P. Bray is Managing Director – Florida, Willow Street Advisors, LLC and is a member of Conservancy of Southwest Florida Planned Giving Committee.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Members Only! Annual Meeting