AAO Foundation Report
Dr. Terry L. Duncan
Your AAO Foundation recently ended its most successful fiscal year ever with over $3.2 million in pledges. This is only the second time pledges to the Foundation have surpassed $3 million. The campaign this year is on schedule to become the seventh consecutive year of over $2 million in pledges.
There are currently 401 Regents, 36 Fellows, and more than 140 Keystone Society members.
As of July 31, 2005, $27.5 million has been pledged, with a redemption of almost $18 million. Since 1994 more than $4.6 million has been given in awards.
At its August Board meeting, the Foundation pledged $400,000 in awards for 2006. Once again the main emphasis is to be directed toward Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards, Biomedical Research Awards, and Center Awards. Part of the award funding for 2006 will be a Strategic Planning Seminar for the development of up to two Center Awards that would address the archiving possibilities of a number of stand-alone research studies. This meeting will be held in conjunction with the next face-to-face Planning and Review Committee (PARC) meeting scheduled for January 21, 2006 in St. Louis.
Dr. Kirt Simmons of Little Rock, Arkansas, has just been elected to serve on PARC.
Currently, the Foundation, through the Regents Round Table committee is working on a campaign to ask paid-up pledgers to consider increasing their pledge at a higher level. Along with this endeavor, a concentrated effort to recruit members to the Keystone Society is also in effect. The Keystone Society represents members and friends who would consider making a commitment to the Foundation through their estate planning.
“An Evening with the Phantom,” the Foundation’s Gala held during the AAO’S Annual Session in San Francisco, was a resounding success. More than 800 people enjoyed a beautifully decorated ballroom and entertainment provided by two of San Francisco’s best known musical artists. The Silent and On-Line Auction created a net of $28,000 as over 45 items were sold under the watchful eye of the “Phantom”! Our own Fred Garrett was the Mystery Host and by being selected as such hosted a table for the evening’s events. With $1.5 million in corporate pledges and more than $400,000 in pledges during the course of the Annual Session, it could be said that the Gala was responsible for $1.8 million in pledges.
The Foundation’s portfolio continues to be skillfully handled through the Finance and Investment Committee. Currently, the ROI is equal to or better than the benchmarks utilized for the fixed-income and equity portions of the portfolio.
The opportunity for the Foundation to continue to make a difference in orthodontic education and research is directly proportional to the INTEREST that each of us take in support of the Foundation. And while we can feel good about almost $28 million in pledges for A CASE FOR THE FUTURE, that figure represents participation by only 33% of the AAO membership. In contrast, 60% of the endodontic specialty has pledged to support its Foundation.
Your participation in the campaign for A CASE FOR THE FUTURE will ensure that the momentum of the campaign will continue.
Thank you.
Terry L. Duncan
tleeduncan@aol.com
(316) 733-0776
FAX (316) 733-5574