Estelle Saltzman Is Making a Cultural Impact Through Estate Planning
When news of the Crocker's upcoming expansion reached local resident, business owner and Museum Board member Estelle Saltzman, she knew she had to play a role. "The Capital Campaign really got me thinking about making a contribution through estate planning. I think the expansion is so important to the Sacramento area," explains Saltzman, whose public relations and advertising firm, Runyon Saltzman & Einhorn, is blocks from the Museum. "It's my neighborhood and I hold it very dear." Knowing limited information about making a fiscal contribution on such a large scale, Saltzman sought counsel, and recommends it to others who have never donated before. "I hired a lawyer and a financial planner. But you can always call the Museum and get the guidance you need."
The amount of Saltzman's charitable remainder trust is $330,000. These funds will benefit the Capital Campaign through the creation and naming of the Rare Book Collection Room and will create the Estelle G. Saltzman Endowment Fund. Saltzman's gift reflects a love of art and books, which stems from her upbringing in Humboldt County. Her mother's influence also played a large role in her continuing support of the Morris Graves Art Center in Eureka.
Furthermore, Saltzman urges others to become familiar with the financial incentives of donating. "With a charitable remainder trust, you still have the current income and at the same time, the charitable tax-deduction advantages. I want the IRS to like me," she jokes.
Despite the financial benefits and recognition she will inevitably garner, Saltzman has always been more concerned with the art itself. "I just love art. We have art all over our office, and not everybody likes every piece. And I tell them, how would you feel if we took it out? It adds so much to the quality of life whether you like the art or not. That is what people should think about. What if the Crocker were gone?"
For more information regarding estate plans that include the Crocker, contact the Development Office at (916) 808-7843 or development@crockerart.org.