Skip to Content

American College Of Surgeons - Inspiring Quality: Highest Standards, Better Outcomes

  1. American College of Surgeons
  2. About ACS
  3. ACS Foundation
  4. Planned Giving
  5. Why We Give
  6. Charles Balch

ACS Integral to Charles Balch's Success

Dr. Charles M. and Carol Balch

Dr. Charles M. and Carol Balch

Generally regarded as one of the leading melanoma experts in the world, Charles M. Balch, MD, FACS, leads a distinguished career as a clinical and academic surgical oncologist. As revered teacher, astute administrator, and world-renowned speaker, he continues to build networks in the field of clinical trials and outcomes research.

Over the past 30 years, he has authored over 600 publications on topics such as, clinical investigations involving the natural history of melanoma, prognostic factors predicting clinical outcomes, standards of surgical treatment, and the conduct and methodology of clinical research and immunology.

Throughout Dr. Balch's rewarding career, he has found the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to be an integral part of his success, and he and his wife, Carol, enjoy giving back through their generous contributions to the ACS Foundation. "The ACS Foundation is an important philanthropic organization, with a great mission, and an array of projects. We like the menu of giving opportunities available and the ability to designate our gifts."

Dr. and Mrs. Balch recently extended their support with a legacy gift. As new members of the Mayne Heritage Society, they will make a lasting mark on the philanthropic programs of the College.

Since becoming a Fellow, Dr. Balch has been an active participant in many ACS activities, including the Commission on Cancer, ACS Oncology Group, the American Joint Commission on Cancer and the ACS Foundation Board of Directors. In addition to these volunteer activities, ACS has been an important outlet for his continuing medical education. 

Describing the reason for the generous support, Dr. Balch says, "The ACS has been an invaluable organization to me professionally throughout my career. There are many charitable organizations with good causes, but Carol and I believe the ACS Foundation is one of the best ways to leverage our stewardship contributions into impactful projects, whether they are about education, career development, research or outreach to the underserved."

Show Your Support for ACS
Contact Beth White Carona, CFRE at 312-202-5506 or bcarona@facs.org today if you would like to help ACS provide opportunities for education and career development to those we serve. There are many ways to plan a gift, and we would be happy to help you find a method that matches your goals.

eBrochure Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the brochure.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address

Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

Copyright © 1996- by the American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL 60611-3211 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to the American College of Surgeons Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to the American College of Surgeons Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 633 N Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the ACS Foundation or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the ACS Foundation as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the ACS Foundation as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the ACS Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the ACS Foundation and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
Personal Estate Planning Kit Request Form

Please provide the following information to view the materials for planning your estate.

First name is required
Last Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address