WHERE WILL YOU LAND?

The Academy of Model Aeronautics established the AMA Foundation to assist with efforts beyond its membership offerings—programs concentrating on the growth and sustainability of the model aviation hobby as a whole. Expanding our mission, the AMA Foundation has established an endowment fund to augment our annual donors’ gifts by enhancing the resources to secure perpetual funding of current programs and allow for additional programs.

The endowment fund is invested for long-term growth with the annual income directed to fund existing and new AMA initiatives that grow and support the hobby. The AMA Foundation Endowment will create a long-term solution for funding of programs related to education, student scholarships, the National Model Aviation Museum, AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center (IAC), club grants, and other related programs.

The endowment growth is built through large, direct contributions, legacy giving, planned giving, and estate bequests. Our newest opportunity, Where Will You Land?, is a naming rights campaign offering an opportunity to put your name on a flying site, building, or another high-recognition asset of your choosing—all located at the IAC in Muncie, Indiana.

In addition to having your name on the location of your choice, each landing spot purchased will be shared on the AMA Foundation website and our robust social media. Gifts of $10,000 or more will also qualify donors to be included in a special donor edition of Model Aviation magazine in 2021.

As an example of how this will be presented, instead of referring to an event occurring at Site 3, it will be "Your Name" flightline. Watch one of our latest videos introducing the naming rights campaign at https://youtu.be/8FD0kO0zZPc.

To introduce this program, we are launching a direct mail campaign that will send 18,000 letters to past donors, hobby industry companies, advertisers, and large corporate sponsors.

In this issue of Model Aviation, I am sharing an initial glimpse of our naming rights program, Where Will You Land? This campaign will provide an opportunity for passionate individuals, hobby companies, and corporate donors to select from an attractive array of naming opportunities to memorialize their passion for the hobby and/or co porate donors to expand their brand.

Today is a perfect time to consider how you will put wings on your legacy. One way will be to choose the Where You Will Land? program with your name at the IAC. We invite you to explore offerings and then speak with our team to take advantage of one of the opportunities. Visit www.modelaircraft.org/land to see a sample of options from which to choose.

By Dan Bott, AMA Foundation Board Chairman | [email protected]

Dan Bott is an AMA Life member (L22) and an AMA Foundation Heritage Society Donor Member. Professionally, Dan is a four-decade-long financial advisor who can be reached at [email protected].