Our Fundraising Pillars#
Make Your Mark on the Future of Fencing
Case Statement Brochure, opens in a new tabEvery transformative lesson, every hard-won victory, every Olympic and Paralympic medal starts with an opportunity. It starts with someone who opened the door for an athlete to experience the power of fencing — a sport whose benefits extend long after an athlete leaves the strip.
Fencing was one of the original Olympic sports, but its importance in the development of incredible people has never been more relevant than today.
That’s where you come in. You have the power to create these opportunities for athletes across the country — including those who already love fencing and those who haven’t yet experienced our sport. We invite you to show your passion for fencing and support the sport’s future by making a donation today.
Our Five Fundraising Pillars
Your gift is urgently needed in these key areas outlined by our members.
- Elite Athletes at all Levels – From the youngest Y-10 fencers to cadets, juniors, seniors and veterans, you can support our epee, foil, saber and parafencing athletes as they train and compete at home and at the toughest tournaments in the world.
- Sport Development – Growing the sport happens at the local level. You can help promote and support new clubs, build and strengthen parafencing programs, provide quality coach education and certification, showcase and market recreational fencing programs, and create grassroots and regional programs.
- Culture of the Sport – Nurture and support a healthy fencing community by investing in athlete safety; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives; and mental wellness initiatives to ensure our fencing family thrives and grows.
- Organization and Community – Invest in the vital daily operations of USA Fencing and our work with athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, armorers and club owners. Supporting these operations provides a solid foundation on which our sport can flourish.
- Foundation Endowment – Help expand our long-term endowment to support future generations of fencers.
Foundation Steward#
Become a Foundation Steward and serve as invested leader in this great sport. Your investment provides the United States Fencing Foundation with funding that protects, supports and grows the endowment established as a result of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Your generous contributions are philanthropic investments into the future, sustainability and legacy of American fencing.
Gift: $50,000 or more, which can be spread over five years
To learn more about this prestigious group of philanthropists, please contact Amanda Lilly at USA Fencing at a.lilly@usafencing.org or 719-374-1655.
American Fencing Legacy Society#
You can ensure the sport of fencing continues to grow and our athletes compete with excellence for generations to come. We invite you to join the American Fencing Legacy Society by making a legacy gift to the United States Fencing Foundation for the benefit of our fencing community. It costs you nothing now, but the impact of your gift will live on for years!
Make Growing and Supporting the Sport of Fencing Your Lasting Legacy
Make Growing and Supporting the Sport of Fencing Your Lasting Legacy
What is a Legacy Gift?
A legacy gift is a planned donation from your estate. Legacy gifts can be written into your will or you can gift life insurance policies, charitable trusts, IRA distributions, appreciated stock or charitable gift annuities. In many cases, these can offer tax advantages to you.
How Do I Make a Legacy Gift?
Consult with your legal, tax or financial advisor to discuss a legacy gift plan that makes the most sense for your situation and giving priorities. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. Once you have finalized the plan, complete and return the appropriate Legacy Gift Intention Form below. You can include as much information that you are comfortable with and you can change your gift intention at any time.
The Impact of Irwin Bernstein’s Gift
Irwin Bernstein left a long-lasting legacy to the sport of fencing. Irwin was a champion epee fencer and volunteered his time as the bout committee chair, an officer and member of USA Fencing Board of Directors and one of the founding officers of the United States Fencing Foundation. Not only did Irwin love the sport and contributing his time and expertise, but he also was one of the first legacy donors to this great sport. Irwin’s legacy gift helped grow the US Fencing Foundation endowment to benefit the sport and athletes for future generations of fencers and set a precedent for other gifts. Irwin’s philanthropy has truly left a rich and robust legacy in the sport of fencing.
Inspire Others!
We invite you to join the American Fencing Legacy Society and make a lasting impact on the sport of fencing in the United States. Your commitment to the future of the sport can serve as a catalyst and motivate and inspire others to pay it forward for generations of fencers to come.
Your investment in the future of fencing is a testament to your kind and generous heart. The United States Fencing Foundation promises to be a good steward of your legacy
Contact Amanda Lilly at USA Fencing at a.lilly@usafencing.org or 719-374-1655 for more information and to answer any questions on making a legacy gift to the U.S. Fencing Foundation.
Podium Club#
The Podium Club is the USFF’s annual fund program, comprising the broad base of support that USA Fencing relies on as they work to build champions and create a legacy for future generations of fencers. Whether you give $5 or $500, your generosity plays an important role in ensuring athletes have what they need to succeed, in fencing and in life.