Donor Recognition

AOPA Life Member Program

$2,500 one-time gift. The AOPA Life Member Program is available for a one-time donation of $2,500. Enrollment in the Life Member Program can also be given as a unique and lasting gift to that special aviator. Of the total donation, $2,000 is tax-deductible.

New Life Members receive a special lapel pin and personalized membership card. In addition, Life Members may proudly display a framed AOPA Life Member certificate signed personally by the AOPA president and AOPA Air Safety Foundation executive director.

The AOPA President’s Council

$50,000 or more within five years. The AOPA President’s Council, chaired by John N. Nordstrom, is the pinnacle of aviation philanthropy. Membership to the President’s Council is extended with a pledge of $50,000 or more, payable within five years.

AOPA President's Council gifts are focused on new safety education initiatives, especially the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Online Safety Center. All President's Council members receive special communications from the AOPA president. Members also receive a framed AOPA President's Council certificate, signed personally by the AOPA president and President's Council Chairman John N. Nordstrom. In addition, they are recognized in the AOPA annual Philanthropy Report and are invited to an exclusive annual President's Dinner at AOPA Expo.

For more information on becoming a member of the AOPA President's Council, please contact Vincent H. Mickens, Senior Director of Development by email or phone 800/955-9115.

The AOPA Legacy Society

The AOPA Legacy Society was created to honor the thoughtfulness and vision of those special donors who deeply care about preserving general aviation for future generations of pilots. Through membership in this society, AOPA recognizes individuals who include the AOPA Foundation, Inc. or the AOPA Air Safety Foundation in their wills; establish a charitable gift annuity or trust to benefit AOPA; or name the AOPA Foundation, Inc. as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. These donors are establishing a precedent for assuring our freedom to fly for generations of pilots yet to come.

Hal Shevers and Phil Boyer, both renowned and respected aviators, have stepped forward to become the first members of the AOPA Legacy Society. They encourage other pilots to join them as Charter Members of the society.

Charter Membership includes many special benefits:

an attractive, personalized certificate of charter membership
a special AOPA Legacy Society lapel pin
special recognition in the AOPA Philanthropy Report
invitations to special AOPA VIP events
the personal satisfaction that you’ve had the foresight to pass on the great legacy of general aviation to future generations.

If you have included AOPA in your estate plans, please let us know or click here for our membership form. We would like to invite you to join the AOPA Legacy Society.

If you would like more information on ways to include the AOPA Foundation, Inc. in a will or on how to make a gift that would provide you with an income for life, please contact Diana Roberts at aopalegacysociety@aopa.org or call 800/955-9115.

Please click here for our membership form.

Other Substantial Giving Opportunities

$10,000 or more in a giving year. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation has coined the term AOPA’s Top Philanthropists—affectionately known as AOPA’s "ATPs"—for those donors wishing to provide outstanding support of general aviation safety education. The category of "ATP" is reserved for generous philanthropists who contribute $10,000 or more in a giving year. "ATP" donors may designate their gift to a specific safety education topic, to help fund a new initiative, or for the general good of safety education. The AOPA Air Safety Foundation staff would be pleased to discuss your ideas and our plans at your convenience. For more information on becoming a part of this elite donor group, please contact Harvey Cohen, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy by e-mail or phone, 800/955-9115.

The AOPA Air Safety Foundation Endowment Fund

Cumulative endowment gifts of $10,000 or more. Gifts to the AOPA Air Safety Foundation Endowment Fund provide perpetual income toward GA safety education programs. Through careful investment, the income from your fund will support the AOPA Air Safety Foundation’s efforts for years to come.

There are four tiers of funds a donor may establish. Starting a Donor-Named Fund begins with cumulative endowment gifts totaling $10,000 or more. The Silver Endowment Fund level starts at $50,000, while Gold Endowment Fund contributions total $75,000 or higher. The highest level, the Platinum Endowment Fund, is attained in recognition of a gift of $100,000 or greater.

Donor-Named Endowments are listed in the AOPA annual Philanthropy Report. Please call Harvey Cohen, Executive Vice President, Philanthropy by e-mail or phone, 800/955-9115 to discuss endowment options.

Donor Recognition