Many of us were introduced to model aviation through parents, friends, or acquaintances at school. But we stay because of the community we've built and the passion we've developed for the hobby.
AMA has given generations of hobbyists a place to fly and share that passion with the people—like us—who care. Lifelong AMA members Kurt Koelling and Lou Matustik capture that spirit better than anyone. Reflecting on their journey, they shared the following:
"We feel fortunate to have been lifelong model airplane fliers (getting into this hobby from our fathers) and members of AMA. We've had so much enjoyment, learned so much, and met so many wonderful people through this activity. In appreciation, and wanting others to have this opportunity in the future, we plan to use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for the income tax benefit that they provide us to further help AMA. We suggest you look into doing the same."
Giving back can be both meaningful and practical. There are many ways that you can give to maximize your impact and your financial benefits:
- Giving QCDs (like Kurt and Lou!) allows you to give directly from your IRA, potentially reducing your taxable income
- Gifts of appreciated stock or cryptocurrency can help you avoid capital gains taxes while making a large contribution to AMA
- Donor-Advised Funds allow you to recommend grants to AMA from funds already set aside for charitable giving
These approaches often make your generosity go further, benefiting both you and the future of the hobby, inspiring new generations.
Kurt and Lou gave in a way that reflects their gratitude and foresight. You can do the same.
Using this online tool, you can explore all of AMA's smart giving options and choose the one that makes the most sense to you. These gifts are used immediately by AMA and help sustain the community that has given so much to so many.
