2007 was a very successful year for The Disability Foundation and those that receive our services.  Our success is attributable to the generous support of our Funding Partners and our Individual Contributors.  As we look forward to the 10 year anniversary of the founding of The Disability Foundation, I thought it would be an excellent time to look back at some of the successes of 2007, as we look forward to the upcoming year.

We are happy to report that as of October 31, 2007, we are now administering 102 Intervivos, gift annuities with over $2.77 million under management.  This reflects a 9% increase in annuitants and a 10% increase in the value of the annuity pool since the end of Fiscal Year ’07 (June, 2007).  In addition to our active trusts, we have established 42 deferred gift annuities to be funded following the death of the donor(s).  This reflects an 8.5% increase in deferred trusts since June.  The Disability Foundation has made $34,884.17 in distributions, during the current fiscal year, for requested supplemental-need items.

The popularity of our newer Flexible-Spending Trust continues to grow.  In this FY alone, we have already added 12 new trusts and the FY is not even half way over!  In all of FY ’07, we added 21 new FS trusts, so we are well on our way to eclipsing last year’s total.  After our 4th Quarter distributions are made (December, 2007) from the FS trust pool, the balance of funds under management will be $877,777.15.  This value represents a 56% increase in the value to the Flexible-Spending Trust pool since June of this year.  Most important, however, is that $36,887.35 (FY ’08) was distributed to FS trust recipients to assist in enriching their lives through supplemental purchases.

Our growth and success is a direct result of your wonderful support.  The best example of our success is in the result.   We have distributed $71,771.52 since the beginning of the fiscal year to assist individuals with disabilities to enhance the enjoyment of their lives!  Therapeutic horseback riding, computers, televisions, vacations, dinners out, going to the movies, going to the opera, attending family reunions… I could go on and o  We would be unable to accomplish so many of these goals and objectives without the support of the Donors.   

The Disability Foundation prides itself on quality, inclusive, personal services.  For each individual we work with, we provide the following products and services:

• Information sessions:
• Face to face with individuals and/or families
• Phone communications
• Presentations to support network for individuals
• Meetings with attorneys/estate planners for families

• Trust preparation

• Clerical
• Quarterly Request for Distribution letters sent out
• Maintenance of file(s)
• Processing of distribution requests
• Presentation of request(s) to Distribution Committee
• Processing/mailing of check(s)
• Mailing of Annual Plans (1st quarter each year)
• Update Spending Account ledgers in database
• Postage
• Creation of new trust files
• Preparation for Distribution Committee meetings - materials, agendas and minutes

• Accounting
• Monthly account valuations, for each trust, with fund statement(s)
• Annual filing of 990s for the Annuity Trust
• Audits

• Communications with Public Benefit Agencies
• Regular trust explanation letters to Social Security (Soc. Sec.) and Medicaid
• Information/trainings-front line staff/mgrs.- Soc. Sec. & Medicaid
• Legal reviews/filing of appeals with Soc. Sec. & Medicaid
• Income (for Annuity) verifications to Soc. Sec., Medicaid and HUD

• Ancillary Costs
• Office supplies - paper, letterhead, envelopes
• Printing expenses
• Legal
• Parking - individual/family meetings at The Disability Foundation

Inclusive of all our trust recipients, we work with approximately 200 individuals.  As evidenced by our list of services, ensuring that the needs of those customers are met to the highest degree of quality, a lot of time and resources are spent per individual.  This is why we rely on the generosity of our donors to ensure that our quality services are maximized and that we have the capacity to serve more and more individuals each year. 

According to the 2003 census, there are approximately 234,913 individuals with disabilities residing just in SW Ohio.  Our goal will always be to provide this valuable service to as many individuals as possible.  That’s where your support is so valuable.  Through your assistance, we will be able to expand our outreach into more communities and homes.  The result:  more individuals with disabilities living fuller, more financially secure lives while protecting their public benefits.