Donor-advised Fund — John Hoepner, MD

A prominent ophthalmologist’s vision for helping others… through a donor-advised fund at the Upstate Foundation

As long as anyone can remember, Upstate Medical University ophthalmology professor and department chair emeritus Dr. John Hoepner has had an interest in philanthropy, especially supporting vision research. So, it was only natural when the Upstate Foundation’s board of directors approved donor-advised funds as a giving vehicle five years ago that Eileen Pezzi approached him about becoming the first-ever supporter to establish one.

Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate, knew that many aspects of a donor-advised fund would appeal to Hoepner and his wife, Judy.

“We discussed the ease and convenience of having the Foundation handle their annual philanthropic giving, and we talked about the tax considerations,” Pezzi recalled. “In addition, the fact that their contributions to the donor-advised fund are invested and earn market returns – resulting in even more money to support charitable causes near and dear to them – was very attractive to the Hoepners.”

“As a retired faculty member, a donor-advised fund presented me with the unique opportunity to meet the required minimum distribution of my IRA by supporting qualified charities,” Hoepner explained. “The Foundation guided us through a simple process. We signed a one-page agreement to establish the fund and we now can disburse donations to our preferred charities any time throughout the year – many of them well outside the Central New York area. And, yes, the Center for Vision Research at Upstate is among the organizations we support.”

Joining Upstate’s Department of Ophthalmology faculty in 1973, Hoepner was appointed chair in 1984. It was at this time his vision of focusing on ophthalmological research began to take form and establishing a center focused on conducting basic research became his life’s work. Today, the Center for Vision Research is internationally renowned.

With his donor-advised fund, Hoepner will support vision research and other causes well into the future, as he has identified family members to continue making contributions and disbursements after he passes…which is not the policy of all institutions offering donor-advised funds, according to Pezzi.

“Through his donor-advised fund, Dr. Hoepner is actively pursuing his vision of helping others see.”

A young Phillip Capozzi Jr., dreamed of being a doctor.

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Mary Pat and Joe Hartnett are members of the Upstate Legacy Society, which was established as a tribute to donors who have included the Upstate Foundation in their estate plans. Their legacy gift will blossom and grow in the healing garden at the Upstate Cancer Center. In the meantime, they created the Mary Pat and Joe Hartnett Family Fund to renovate the healing garden and help with its upkeep, beyond what the Upstate budget provides. Read more about the Hartnett's legacy…

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Annual Donor, Major Donor, Legacy Donor

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For Iris Buczkowski, whose oldest daughter is autistic, the new Golisano Center for Special Needs at Upstate Medical University was a life changer. So much so, in fact, Iris and her family decided to leave a legacy gift to the center through the Upstate Foundation… “They made giving very, very easy because the team has a collective approach,” Iris explained.

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“We’ve been blessed. There’s no question.” 

They consider themselves blessed. That is why Dr. Frederick “Fritz” Parker and his wife Ginny included the Upstate Foundation in their estate plans.
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“I want to invest in the lives and health of children.”  

It’s no wonder, then, that Dr. Victoria Meguid – who has been a powerful force for pediatric care at Upstate Medical University since 1992 – has made the Upstate Foundation a beneficiary of her retirement plan.
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Charitable gift annuity benefits both donors and Upstate  

“It’s terrific! You can have your cake and eat it, too.” This is how Dr. Michael Ratner and his wife Rissa describe their latest philanthropic endeavor – a charitable gift annuity through the Upstate Foundation.

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