2016 a Great Year for FMA; Plans for More Scholarships, Programs, Appearances in 2017
Jan. 4, 2017
Related To: Flying Musicians Association (FMA)
Flying Musicians Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit is pleased to announce the conclusion of a successful 2016 and a jump-start opportunity for 2017.
In 2016, membership has grown to over 500 with 68 student members. FMA now has 17 regional or state-level ambassadors including one in Canada, a successful high school scholarship program (FMA Solo Program), a college internship program, is a regular participation at 8 major annual aviation events and also contributed to many more smaller events and HangarJams. FMA also enjoys 22 corporate members, and 9 corporate sponsors.
FMA President John Zapp states “We are encouraged by the results in 2016 and are determined to build on them. In 2017 we hope to fund four FMA Solo scholarships while expanding the opportunity and exposure into Canada.”
2017 will feature the further roll-out of the FMA Internship program into colleges across the country and the addition of two new venues, Marvel of Flight in DeFuniak Springs, Florida and the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase also in Florida.
FMA is hosting a contest to boost end-of-year charitable donations to jump-start 2017. FMA board member Prof. H. Paul Shuch notes that beginning at age 70 1/2, anyone with various sorts of tax-deferred retirement investments is required by the IRS to take minimum distributions, which are taxable as ordinary income at the person’s marginal tax rate. Contributing such minimum distributions before year’s end, directly to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, can substantially reduce the donor’s tax liability. Consult your financial advisor to find out if contributed minimum distributions are appropriate in your situation.Donations can be made online through GuideStar or PayPal or you may send a check directly to: FMA, P.O. Box 2201, Grapevine, Texas 76099.
The first 5 donors will receive a gift bag full of FMA and corporate sponsor merchandise. All donors will receive documentation that can be used for tax purposes.
Len Assante, who is ending his term on the FMA advisory board this year stresses the value of organizations such as FMA. “I have no doubt that one way the aviation industry can arrest the decline in pilot numbers is through the establishment and maintenance of a sense of community at airports locally and as aviators world-wide. Groups like FMA do that as well or better than most. Sharing our common bond for flying and for making music can -and will- do great things.”
About Flying Musicians Association, Inc.:The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN: 80-0433326) of pilots who are musicians, spanning the globe, proficiency levels, and genres. The goal is to share our passions in order to inspire, educate, and encourage through performances, presentations, and scholarships.More: www.FlyingMusicians.org
In 2016, membership has grown to over 500 with 68 student members. FMA now has 17 regional or state-level ambassadors including one in Canada, a successful high school scholarship program (FMA Solo Program), a college internship program, is a regular participation at 8 major annual aviation events and also contributed to many more smaller events and HangarJams. FMA also enjoys 22 corporate members, and 9 corporate sponsors.
FMA President John Zapp states “We are encouraged by the results in 2016 and are determined to build on them. In 2017 we hope to fund four FMA Solo scholarships while expanding the opportunity and exposure into Canada.”
2017 will feature the further roll-out of the FMA Internship program into colleges across the country and the addition of two new venues, Marvel of Flight in DeFuniak Springs, Florida and the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase also in Florida.
FMA is hosting a contest to boost end-of-year charitable donations to jump-start 2017. FMA board member Prof. H. Paul Shuch notes that beginning at age 70 1/2, anyone with various sorts of tax-deferred retirement investments is required by the IRS to take minimum distributions, which are taxable as ordinary income at the person’s marginal tax rate. Contributing such minimum distributions before year’s end, directly to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, can substantially reduce the donor’s tax liability. Consult your financial advisor to find out if contributed minimum distributions are appropriate in your situation.Donations can be made online through GuideStar or PayPal or you may send a check directly to: FMA, P.O. Box 2201, Grapevine, Texas 76099.
The first 5 donors will receive a gift bag full of FMA and corporate sponsor merchandise. All donors will receive documentation that can be used for tax purposes.
Len Assante, who is ending his term on the FMA advisory board this year stresses the value of organizations such as FMA. “I have no doubt that one way the aviation industry can arrest the decline in pilot numbers is through the establishment and maintenance of a sense of community at airports locally and as aviators world-wide. Groups like FMA do that as well or better than most. Sharing our common bond for flying and for making music can -and will- do great things.”
About Flying Musicians Association, Inc.:The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN: 80-0433326) of pilots who are musicians, spanning the globe, proficiency levels, and genres. The goal is to share our passions in order to inspire, educate, and encourage through performances, presentations, and scholarships.More: www.FlyingMusicians.org
