Family Heirlooms Support Music Program at Flagler College
Family heirlooms are tangible ties to the past and sometimes, they pave the way to a promising future.
That is the story behind Eric Thompson's gift to Flagler College. "I was born in St. Augustine and became acquainted with Flagler College at its inception. Most of the kids in our neighborhood learned to swim at the Ponce Pool, as it was known in the 1960s. Flagler has been so important to St. Augustine, historically and as an educational institution. My family has enthusiastically supported Flagler during the past 55 years," Eric says.
Like Father, Like Son
It all began with Eric's father, Pierre, who funded the major renovations of Ponce de Leon Cottage, one of the few surviving "winter cottages" built for Henry Flagler. Known today as Thompson Hall, the building houses the pre-law program, classrooms, and faculty offices. Then in 2004, Eric's father and stepmother established the Pierre and Shirley Thompson Endowed Fund for Free Enterprise and Business. The fund helps sustain the Entrepreneurial Action for Others (ENACTUS) program, formerly known as Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). Through this fund, donors help promote activities and programs that advance entrepreneurship, business, and community service projects. The fund has also helped send students to conferences and purchase equipment and materials for business ideas and presentations.
When Pierre passed away in 2019, Eric honored him by supporting Flagler. "My first donations were to Thompson Hall and ENACTUS. Both were important to my father," Eric says.
Change for Good
More recently, Eric chose to support the College with a unique gift. "About 30 years ago, my father gave me coins he had inherited from his father. I am happy to donate these coins, appraised at $30,500, to my father's favorite charity, Flagler College, and specifically to the Music Fund for Excellence."
While gifts of cash, stocks, or other funds are traditional contributions, the College also accepts certain gifts of tangible personal property, including artwork, antique cars, jewelry, or real estate. Giving personal property is an efficient way for donors to support Flagler while enjoying a tax benefit and dispersing property that is costly to maintain or insure. If the donor claims a federal tax charitable deduction for a gift of personal property valued over $5,000, they must have it appraised by a qualifiedappraiser and complete IRS Form 8283.
Multigenerational Giving
Eric decided to share his valuable collectibles after attending a performance by the Tom Keenan Assistant Professor of Piano, Keith Teepen, whom he describes as a "world-class pianist and teacher." Professor Teepen has taught and performed internationally. His performance at a Donor Appreciation Dinner impressed Eric so much, he donated to the Music Fund. Led by Flagler's Director of Music, Kip Taisey, the fund supports students pursuing musical training. The students represent Flagler in music ensembles promoting the arts in St. Augustine. Professor Taisey joined Flagler after a distinguished career performing around the United States. As Eric comments, "Flagler's mission aligns with Keith Teepen and Kip Taisey's mission to grow the piano program as the highest priority of the Theatre Arts Department."
Certain families are embedded in the culture of Flagler College. Their surnames appear on buildings, scholarships, endowments, programs, and faculty chairs. By emulating his father's generous example, Eric ensures that the Thompson family name joins a proud philanthropic throughline that strengthens Flagler now and in the future.
To honor the donor's intent, gifts of personal property must be reviewed and approved by the Office of Institutional Advancement and Office of Business Services. If you want to support Flagler with a gift of personal property, please contact Nicole Pece, Director of Development & Gift Planning at 904-819-6406 or [email protected] .