by  F.C. Dante Gapultos, M.D. Class 72

          10 COMPELLING REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DONATE TO USTMAAA FOUNDATION.

                                  

1. The USTMAAA Foundation will outlive you.

Unless you are immortal, the USTMAAA Foundation will outlive you giving you a lasting legacy.  The Endowment Fund will present an annual gift to the University of Santo Tomas, specifically to the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, now and in the years to come – far beyond your lifespan.

2. It will give you great joy and satisfaction.

It will give you great joy and satisfaction if you return a portion of your wealth to our Alma Mater.  Science has proven that when you share your good fortune with an institution close to your heart, you will be more content and live longer.  Your success has been directly related to the generosity of the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery.

3. Your money will continue to grow. 

Your contribution to the Foundation will remain untouched.  Only 80% of the interest income will be bequeathed to the Alma Mater.  The remaining 20% of the interest will go back to the principal income to offset inflation.  The principal fund will continue to grow.

4. You can control the fund to your special interest project for the Alma Mater.  You can actually direct the interest fund derived from the principal to your Alma Mater’s pet projects.  With $5,000 contribution, you may be elected to the Board of Directors.  With a minimum gift of $25,000 you can steer the interest from the fund to projects of your special interest.*

  5. It is a great way to memorialize your loved ones. 

You can create a memorial fund to a loved one by dedicating a leaf on the Tree of Life for a donation of $500.  Likewise, you may decide to honor a classmate or professor who has departed this life too soon to the Memorial Tree Fund.  The indigent patients of the UST Charity Hospital and the medical students are the direct beneficiaries.

6. We will continue to rest on our laurels. 

Our contributions will give the UST Faculty of Medicine & Surgery a competitive edge over other medical schools who are striving to be termed “the best in the Philippines and in Asia”.  This will allow the FMS to grant more scholarships to those pre med students who have demonstrated academic excellence, but are economically challenged.

7. You leave a bit of yourself to your Alma Mater.

Being a physician, you belong to the top five percent of the highest household incomes in the USA.  Giving to the Foundation, a 501c3 designated entity, will give you an immediate tax break.  Remember, you cannot take your possession with you.  Consider leaving a portion of your estate to an institution such as USMAAA Foundation – thereby leaving a bit of yourself.

8. Your Class Legacy Lives on. 

You can channel your individual or Class Legacy to the well established USTMAAA Foundation.  Administering a foundation requires tremendous time, money, and manpower.  By utilizing the resources of the organization, you can concentrate your efforts towards raising funds and disbursing grants.

9. Be a part of a Big Birthday Party.

You will be a part of the 400th birthday celebration of our Alma Mater, the University of Santo Tomas in the year 2011.  Your contribution to the Foundation will help to build the UST Alumni Center which will be our legacy not only to medical graduates but to all Thomasians.

10. Our Alumni bond will get stronger.  You will have fun, fellowship, camaraderie, and great learning experience during the USTMAAA Annual Grand Reunion and CME Program.  The meeting of our classmates, fellow alumni, friends, and families, is an event that binds together those of like mind.  We give honor to our Alma Mater, we glorify our country and in turn, we receive enrichment of our hearts and minds.

(*Any directed disbursement by an individual or group is subject to the approval of the USTMAAA Foundation Board of Directors.)