Planned Giving
Great American theater stands the test of time because of supporters like you. With an estate gift to Steppenwolf, your love of theater becomes part of our story and ensures the vitality of Steppenwolf for future generations.
ENSURE YOUR LEGACY
The Visionary Circle is Steppenwolf's recognition program for those generous individuals who have made Steppenwolf a beneficiary of assets or designated a gift to the theatre in their estate plans.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, or you’ve already made your plans with a financial advisor, our team is here to guide and support you.
No minimum financial level is required to enjoy Visionary Circle membership and these special benefits:
- Invitations to special events at the theater with Steppenwolf artists
- Special backstage tour
- Personal assistance with ticketing
- Recognition on the Donor Wall in the theater lobby and on our website.
GET IN TOUCH!
To become a member of the Visionary Circle, download and fill out this Membership Form, or contact Jessica Gretch, Individual Giving Manager, at jgretch@steppenwolf.org or (312) 654-5672.
HAVE YOU ALREADY NAMED STEPPENWOLF IN YOUR ESTATE PLAN?
Thank you for your contribution! Please let us know so we can thank you for your lasting commitment to Steppenwolf.
Steppenwolf's Official Name, Address and Tax ID:
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
1700 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
Tax ID #: 51-0149370
Ways to make a planned gift
There are many meaningful ways to leave a legacy at Steppenwolf; a selection of options is below. We encourage you to speak with your lawyer or estate planner to see which option is right for you.
A gift through your will or revocable trust is a simple and meaningful way of remembering Steppenwolf. A sample clause to share with your attorney is:
I give to Steppenwolf Theatre Company, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation whose address is 1650 N. Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, Tax ID #51-0149370, (the sum of $_________) or (_____ % of the residue of my estate) for its general purposes.
The designation of Steppenwolf as a beneficiary of retirement plan benefits may be a savvy tax-wise gift strategy. Our charitable tax status exempts retirement benefits from estate and income taxes that your individual heirs could incur if you were to give retirement plan assets to them.
Life insurance that you no longer need for your family security may be donated to Steppenwolf by transferring ownership of the policy or naming the theatre as a beneficiary. Your estate may be entitled to a charitable deduction for the proceeds passing to Steppenwolf.
The charitable IRA rollover, or qualified charitable distribution (QCD), is a special provision allowing certain donors to exclude from taxable income – and count toward their required minimum distribution – certain transfers of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) assets that are made directly to public charities, including Steppenwolf. Donors can use this popular option to support the theatre with tax-wise gifts ranging from $100 to $100,000.
Qualifying charitable distributions must be:
- Made by a donor age 70 ½ or older
- Transferred from a traditional IRA or Roth IRA directly
- Completed by December 31 of the corresponding tax year
A charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust enables you to make a contribution to Steppenwolf in exchange for payments each year for a specified term or for life. This payment can be made to you or others you choose. Your gift is invested for the specified term or life and then the remaining assets are transferred to Steppenwolf to be used as you have directed. These types of gifts can also provide significant income, capital gains and estate tax savings for you.
Visionary Circle
The Visionary Circle acknowledges donors who have included Steppenwolf in their estate plans
Anonymous (3)
Robert C. Anderson
Lois J. Bider
Douglas R. Brown
Janice and Rob Esser
Michael and Eric Evenskaas
Nelson Figueroa and Jeff Truesdell
Kim M. Folta
Susan Fuchs, M.D.
Robert H. Glaze
Michael Goldberger
Karen M. Goldstein
Sue-Gray Goller
Michael Hansen and Nancy Randa
John Hart
Tom Irwin
Donna and Del Kolacki
Michele Kenner
Monica Kramer
Melanie G. Larch
Gabriel Garey Levine
Dr. Paul Lisnek
Kevin McGirr
David Metschke
Kenneth J. Porrello and Sherry L. McFall
Sylvia J. Pozarnsky
Dr. Edward O. Riley
Patrick J. Schauer
Sue and Harry Seigle
Judy Sugarman
Joseph and Shirley G. Teplin
We remember the following members of the Steppenwolf community who have made a bequest to the theatre. Their legacy will help to ensure that Steppenwolf continues to flourish.
Anonymous (1)
Hope A. Abelson
Alba Biagini
Nelson D. Cornelius
Barbara L. Dean
Jo Hopkins Deutsch
Marjorie Douglas
Malcolm D. Ewen
Jared Kaplan
Ralla Klepak
Peggy Morrow
Leota Ann Meyer Murray
James F. Oates
Andrea Romain and Cleo V. Orthel
Merle Reskin
Richard Schieler
T. Marshall Rousseau
Rose L. and Sidney N. Shure
Nancy L. Wald