Help Make a Difference

“At school I am in Special Ed classes. It doesn’t matter if you are different; you are still welcome at BAYCAT. Before BAYCAT, I went home after school and I didn’t socialize with kids after school. Now I’m part of the BAYCAT team.” –Isaac Haney-Owens

Dear Friend of BAYCAT,

Meet Isaac, one of our BAYCAT Zoom In Producers and a BAYCAT intern:

“The first TV show I ever worked on was called ‘Teen Relationships.’ Working on the TV show was interesting because I shared information that I would normally not share with anyone else because I was working with a great team of students from BAYCAT that made me feel like I fit in. It was exciting to be in front of the camera because usually I like to be behind the camera. I have all my BAYCAT videos at home and proudly show them to other people. Students like me make the BAYCAT TV show, Zoom In, and it really makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something important.

At BAYCAT, I learned how to use an Apple computer, professional video cameras, and sound equipment, including a boom mic. I’ve learned to be a better photographer. I have also learned to communicate with others, to listen to others more attentively, and to tell people what I want and need. It was hard to communicate with other students because I am very shy and was never that social in school. Since coming to BAYCAT, it has given me a great experience after school and taught me more about making media.

I like that BAYCAT is giving kids who don’t have the opportunity to work with professional equipment the chance to learn what media is all about and giving people job opportunities, especially now when it’s hard to find jobs.

I wanted to work here because I get to work with Mac computers, and I don’t have access to that at home. Working at BAYCAT is a new experience for me because it’s the first real job I have ever had. The people that work here are great because they are technical experts, and they treat everyone with respect.

BAYCAT needs money because BAYCAT helps kids who are less fortunate to stay out of trouble. BAYCAT gives kids in the Bayview Hunters Point something important to do after school.”

As we end another year of working with youth and young adults like Isaac, would you consider giving a contribution to BAYCAT? Even in this economically challenging year, BAYCAT was still able to reach its educational goals. This year, BAYCAT added about 250 youth and young adults to our roster, trained 50 teachers in digital media, and supported 25 businesses and non-profit organizations through Studio BAYCAT. Our students, interns and Studio BAYCAT have produced 3 new episodes of Zoom In, 2 short films and countless marketing campaigns. Unfortunately, we’ve also had to turn 15 programs away, have cut back on our hiring, and have struggled to do more with fewer resources.

BAYCAT continues to find stability and ways to sustain our organization for the future. Donors to our five-year pledge campaign, which is led by Herbie Hancock and BAYCAT’s Board of Directors, have committed $90,000 to BAYCAT each year for five years. Please contact me at 415.701.8228 x201 if you or someone you know is interested in making a multi-year pledge.

Every dollar counts! We hope you will invest in BAYCAT’s mission to educate, empower and employ youth and young adults to produce digital media that tells their unique stories.

Sincerely,

Villy Wang
President & CEO

Isaac Haney-Owens
BAYCAT Zoom In Producer and Intern

Matching Gifts

Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. The amount of money you donate can often be doubled or even tripled by applying to your company's matching gift program. If you are not sure if your company matches employee contributions, talk to your Human Resources Director or Corporate Giving Officer to see if your employer offers a matching gift program that will increase your gift to BAYCAT. Companies do respond to employee interest in these types of programs, and often it's easy to register through a toll-free number or website. Although matching gifts are not tax-deductible for you, any matching funds you initiate will count toward your overall giving level on donor lists and for recognition purposes. Every dollar counts! Thank you for your continued support.

Workplace Giving

If you prefer giving through direct payroll deductions through your workplace, there are some helpful guidelines at United Way Bay Area (hyperlink) United Way is a national organization that includes approximately 1,400 community-based United Way organizations. To allocate your United Way contributions to BAYCAT, please use the following designation: (information coming). If you can't find BAYCAT listed in your United Way campaign materials, write in "BAYCAT" on your pledge card.

Planned Giving

After providing for family and loved ones, one of the most popular gifts is a planned gift. This allows the donor to make a charitable contribution to an organization through a plan that also addresses the donor's personal, financial and philanthropic objectives. Planned gifts can also provide tax benefits for the donor.

Wills and Living Trusts

There are a variety of ways that you can make a charitable estate gift. The simplest way is to include the charities of your choice in your will, either as outright gifts, or while also providing for family and friends.

Retirement Plan Assets

You may also be able to gain a tax benefit by naming BAYCAT as a beneficiary of all or a portion of a retirement plan [IRA, 401(k), 403(b)]. If you have extra life insurance coverage, you may consider transferring ownership to BAYCAT. You may also purchase a new policy, and later name BAYCAT as the owner and beneficiary. Either gift may generate a charitable income tax deduction. If you have questions, or would like to discuss your gift with us, contact Andrew Esch at andrewesch@baycat.org; 415.701.8228 x204. Thank you for considering BAYCAT in your planned giving.

Gifts of Stocks

Your gift of appreciated stock may provide a two-fold tax advantage. First, you may avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in the value of the stock. Second, you might receive a federal income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift. You should always consult with your financial advisor before initiating a charitable gift arrangement. To transfer stock, contact andrewesch@baycat.org; 415.701.8228 x204. Appreciated securities, held longer than one year, are eligible for donation. A tax receipt confirming the dollar amount of your charitable donation will be sent to you once the stock transfer is finalized.