Plans for the future of Cedars-Sinai represent an ambitious and extensive undertaking. Yet they are vital in order to maintain our standards of excellence and extend our services to cover the anticipated needs of the community today and in the future.

As always, the generous support of the community, as well as the invaluable partnership between the medical staff and volunteers, will be required to make these plans a reality. And today there are a number of special donor opportunities for contributing that underscore a donor's strong personal commitment to creating a world-class medical center.

Contributions at any level used for everything from purchasing equipment or equipping a laboratory to constructing the entire floor of a building or the building itself can be acknowledged by associating the donor's name with them.

Endowed Academic Chairs at Cedars-Sinai -- held by distinguished academicians and faculty represent the pinnacle of excellence, providing a means for funding world-class contributions in teaching, medical research, universal scholarship and clinical service.

Outstanding faculty members are at the heart of every great medical institution. The endowment of Academic Chairs ensures that Cedars-Sinai's academic and professional excellence continues in perpetuity, fostering productivity and progress in many vital areas of medicine and science. Through a perpetual endowment fund, earnings are used to support the teaching and research activities of the academic who holds the chair.

A current gift of $1.5 million payable over a five-year period is required to establish an Academic Chair at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The donor's name is listed on the Endowed Academic Chair wall in the plaza lobby upon receipt of 20 percent of the amount pledged. The medical center also works with donors and their families who wish to name a chair as a legacy (deferred) gift.

Establishing an Academic Chair provides a profound sense of participation in the future for donors and their families. The Chair's existence guarantees that the influence and contributions of the incumbent(s) continues through published works and international collaborations. While carrying on the donor's name and transcending national boundaries, the chair also serves as a viable instrument for global knowledge and accomplishment.

The Endowed Chair program also helps ensure the ability of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to attract, recruit and maintain the highest level of academic professionals.

By channeling your contributions to Cedars-Sinai consistent with charitable tax planning strategies, you can benefit financially while benefiting the charity most important to you. Through well-designed estate planning and planned giving programs, you can receive regular income and significant tax benefits, while creating a permanent memorial in your name or the name of a loved one.

There are numerous ways to structure your gift while extending great support to Cedars-Sinai. For additional information regarding our planned giving programs, please contact: