VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Confluence has partnered with the Oregon Community Foundation to create the Jordan Schnitzer and Thomas Lauderdale Confluence Art Endowment. With OCF's stewardship and long term investment program, this fund will be maintained in perpetuity to provide a stable stream of support for maintenance at all six Confluence project sites along the Columbia River system.
The endowment is established through a generous gift from Arlene Schnitzer on behalf of her son, Jordan Schnitzer and Thomas Lauderdale, the band leader for Pink Martini. Both are supporters of Confluence's extraordinary series of art installations by celebrated artist Maya Lin that stretch from the mouth of the Columbia River to the gateway to Hell's Canyon.
The $250,000 initial investment in the endowment represents one-quarter of Arlene Schnitzer's $1 million gift to Confluence. The rest will go to the capital project planned for Celilo Park near The Dalles, Oregon.
"This is a major step for this project," says Confluence executive director Colin Fogarty. "This gift will ensure these treasured spaces are taken care of for generations. And it's an enduring legacy to the generosity of the three incredible people who made it possible."
With this partnership, Confluence is able to offer donors the opportunity to make a permanent gift to ensure future funding for the work. Through OCF, Confluence is able to accept gifts such as securities, personal property, and real property upon approval of OCF's gift acceptance committee. Donors also have the option of making a planned gift, often called a deferred gift, to ultimately benefit the endowment fund. OCF staff works with Confluence staff and donors to create bequests, charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities.
A bequest, made through the donor's will or living trust, is the most direct form of planned gift. Bequests are easy to establish and the estate receives a tax deduction for 100% of the value of the gift.CRTs and gift annuities are planned gifts that allow a donor to make a gift to Confluence enjoy income for life or a specified number of years, and obtain an income or estate tax benefit. Assets remaining at the termination of the trust or gift annuity will be added to the Jordan Schnitzer and Thomas Lauderdale Confluence Art Endowment of The Oregon Community Foundation to provide ongoing maintenance support for Confluence. Donors may also make cash contributions directly to Confluence to be added to the Confluence Art Endowment of the Oregon Community Foundation.
The Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization that administers permanent charitable funds established through gifts from individuals, families, businesses and other organizations. OCF currently administers over 1,700 permanent funds with assets of approximately $940 million.
Confluence is a donor-supported nonprofit that connects people to place through art and education. We work in collaboration with Northwest communities, tribes and celebrated artist Maya Lin to create reflective moments that can shape the future of the Columbia River system. We share stories of this river through six public art installations, educational programs, community engagement and a rich digital experience.