Retirement Trust Foundation (RTF)

The IAAP Retirement Trust Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Contributions made to the Foundation are deductible. Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers or gifts to or for the Trust's use are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes.

The Trust was formed and operates exclusively for charitable purposes; i.e., for the primary purpose of acquiring, maintaining and operating homes for needy and elderly administrative professionals and otherwise assisting needy and elderly administrative professionals. The demand for comfortable, affordable housing for retired administrative professionals is growing, and the RTF seeks to help fill that need with Vista Grande.

The benefits of the RTF begin from the time you become a member of IAAP. The trust publishes RTF reVisions quarterly for all members, sponsors sessions at international conventions, and is currently working on an online resource center of links and other information for retirees and future retirees.


Frequently Asked Questions

The Trust

In addition to these FAQs, please review other sections of the Trust web site for detailed information on each subject:

Organization of the Trust

Q. What is the Retirement Trust Foundation (The Trust)?
A. The Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1947. Della Herring asked at a meeting of Secretaries International why there was no retirement home for secretaries and contributed the first dollar toward the cause.  Her dream was realized and the Trust now owns and operates Vista Grande Retirement Center.

The Trust’s vision has expanded and today offers financial assistance to those living in other retirement centers and provides information on preparing for retirement and healthy living.

Q. How is the Trust organized?
A. The Trust is overseen by the Retirement Trust Foundation Board of Trustees. The Board consists of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, RTFC Liaison, the IAAP International President, and the IAAP International Treasurer.  With the exception of the International President the Treasurer, who are Trustees by virtue of their offices on the IAAP Board, Trustees are elected by delegates at the International Convention to serve two-year terms; a maximum of two consecutive terms is allowed.

RTF Trustees are elected officials. To serve as a member of the Board of Trustees, one must have served at least one year as:

•  A member of the IAAP International or Division RTF Committee; or

• An IAAP Division or International Officer; or

• A member of an IAAP International Department or International Standing Committee

Support of the Trust and Donations

Q. How is the Trust supported?
A. The Trust receives monetary support from the generosity of IAAP members. There are a number of ways to help support the Trust. 

Q. Is the Trust a 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. IRS guidelines?
A. Yes. The Trust is a publicly supported organization and not a private foundation and donations are tax-deductible as long as no consideration is received.  For example, you cannot declare a deduction for purchase of any item sold by the Trust.

Q. Does the Trust receive funding from other organizations?
A. No. Funding of the Trust comes solely from IAAP members, families, and friends.

Q. May donations be restricted for specific purposes?
A. Yes, contributions for a specific purpose may be made to the Trust.  However, the Trust and Vista Grande are appreciative of contributions that do not have specific instructions for how the funds are to be used. Such funds can be used in the manner most beneficial to the Trust and the investment of IAAP.

Q. Why should I donate to the Trust?
A. The Trust has grown with small donations contributed by IAAP members, with memorial contributions and bequests from special IAAP members, and with proceeds from IAAP fundraising events. As a member of IAAP, you are invested in the Trust and its success.

Q. Where should donations be sent:
A. All donations should be sent to the controller at IAAP Headquarters and should be accompanied by the proper donation form downloaded from this site.

Q. Can individuals make donations or must they come from a chapter or division?
A. Donations may come from individuals, chapters, division, matching donations from businesses, bequests, etc.  Typically, monies raised from a fundraiser are donated in the name of a chapter or division.

Q. How are donations/donors recognized?
A. Upon receipt of a donation, Headquarters sends an acknowledgement letter to the person designated on the donation form.  When the donation is a memorial or honorarium, a special certificate may be requested.  Members who have joined the Family of Givers program receive recognition in accordance with that program.

Chapters and divisions are recognized at the International Convention based on total contributions made during the year.  The deadline for these contributions is June 30, or the last working day of June if June 30 is on a weekend.

Q. What is not considered as a donation?
A. Anything for which you receive something; i.e., the annual holiday cards and/or RTF pins.

Q: How to individuals receive recognition?
A: Individuals, as well and chapters and division, will receive recognition through the Family of Givers program launched in November 2007. 

Financial Assistance Program

Q. Who qualifies for the Financial Assistance Program?
A. Financial assistance is limited to those individuals/members living in a retirement center in the U.S. or Canada.

Q. Can you live at Vista Grande and apply for financial assistance?
A. Residents at Vista Grande can apply for assistance through our Financial Assistance Program.

Q: How do I apply?
A: All requests for financial assistance are mailed to the Controller at IAAP headquarters.  The Controller will compile the information, assign a number to the application, and forward to the Board of Trustees for approval/disapproval. The Board of Trustees does not receive the names of the applicants.  IAAP headquarters notifies applicants of approval or disapproval.

Q: If I’m accepted, do I need to reapply each year?
A: Yes; financial assistance needs must be assessed each year.

Q: What does the assistance help with?
A: The program applies only to rental assistance. Monthly payments are paid directly to the retirement facility.

Vista Grande Retirement Center

Q: Where is Vista Grande?
A: Vista Grande is located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a picturesque mesa northwest of Albuquerque.  The land consists of approximately 11 acres and was built it three phases completed between 1972 and 1983.

Q: How large is Vista Grande?
A: The Center comprises 168 apartments, a community building, lounge, library, crafts room, laundry center, all faiths meditation chapel, a resident nurse, exercise room, and management offices.

Q: How large are the apartments?  Do they have kitchens?
A: Vista Grande offers a wide variety of floor plans. There are both one and two bedroom apartments, ranging from 456 to 807 square feet, with one or two bathrooms.  All apartments have kitchens. 

Q: How is it administered?
A: Vista Grande is administered by a management firm contracted with by the Board of Trustees.  The management firm hires the community manager and other maintenance and service personnel and oversees rentals and on-site details.  Monthly financial statements and quarterly reports and provided to the Trustees. The Board of Trustees makes all policy decisions.

Q: Who may live at Vista Grande?
A: The Trust complies with all nondiscrimination laws of the U.S. Federal Government with respect to its requirements for residents. The Center is operated for charitable purposes; i.e., to provide a residence for needy and elderly (62 and older) administrative professionals. 

Preference for retirement living at Vista Grande is given as follows:  Active IAAP members and their spouses; former IAAP members and their spouses; administrative professionals who have not been members of IAAP and their spouses; and persons who are not administrative professionals.  Vacancies are filled from the list of applicants to Vista Grande in the same order listed above.

Q: Is Vista Grande fully occupied?
A: Yes, the Center ifs fully occupied, but we would like to see it “fully occupied” with IAAP members or previous members.

Q: Is there a waiting list?
A: Yes. IAAPmembers are given first priority and can usually be accommodated within one year.

Q: How many current and former IAAP members reside at Vista Grande?
A: Approximately 25% of current residents are current or former IAAP members.

Q: Is there a medical staff on-site?
A: There is a resident nurse living on-site.

Q: Is the site ADA friendly?
A: Yes.  Most living units are on ground level and walkways connect all buildings.

Q: Is it a requirement to be ambulatory?
A: Yes.

Q: What does it cost of live at Vista Grande?
A: Rent will vary with the size of the unit occupied and utilities provided.  Rents at Vista Grande are approximately 25% below surrounding retirement centers.

Q: Is there a restaurant or common dining area on site?
A: There is a community center where special occasion meals are served.  There are restaurants, banks, a post office, a supermarket, the senior center, and a variety of shops within walking distance.

Q: Are pets permitted?  If so, is there an additional cost?
A: Residents are allowed to own and maintain pets as long as they conform and complete the “Pet or Assistive Animal Agreement.”  This is an addendum to the Rental Agreement and requires a deposit and possible additional fees.

Q: Are there guest facilities on site?
A: Two guest rooms, the Tina Rayl CPS Guest Rooms, are available for a rate in conformity with normal rents in the complex.  A prospective resident awaiting an upcoming vacancy may occupy a guest room during that interval.  Other visitors may not remain at Vista Grande for more than two weeks.

Q: Are there planned activities and social events on a regular basis?
A: Yes.  Some activities include “Coffee Breaks: with scheduled guest speakers, monthly resident potluck dinners, organized craft activity sessions, and an IAAP Chapter just for Vista Grande residents.

Other Trust Programs

Q: In addition to the Financial Assistance Program and Vista Grande, what other programs does the Trust support?
A: Annual holiday cards and RTF pins are developed by the Trust for sale to support the Trust. 

Family of Givers Program

Q: What is the Family of Givers program?
A: This program was developed by the Trust to give value and recognition to the donations made by individuals.

Q: How will these donations be used?
A: All funds contributed to the Trust will be used to support its overall programs consistent with the mission and strategic plan of the Trust: provide housing assistance grants to administrative professionals in need, maintain Vista Grande Retirement Center, support the Trust’s publications, maintain the Trust’s web site, and provide programs to our members at targeted events.

Q: Are there different levels of support and what are the benefits of donating through this program?
A: There are three levels of donors: Sustaining, Leadership, and Pacesetter.

• Sustaining: $100 to $499 per year; will receive an RTF pin and holiday cards.

• Leadership: $500 to $999 per year; will receive an RTF pin, paver at Vista Grande, and holiday cards.

• Pacesetter: $1,000 and up per year; will receive an RTF pin, paver at Vista Grande, holiday cards, plaque and special recognition.

Q: What if my donations are less than $100 each year?  Will I still receive recognition?
A: Yes, all donations are welcomed by the Trust and each donation is recognized by a letter from Headquarters.

Q: Are my lifetime donations cumulative:
A: Yes, the Trust will recognize contributions whose lifetime cumulative giving levels reach or exceed $5,000 by adding their names to a donor wall located at IAAP Headquarters in Kansas City. 

 Q: Do donations have to be made by check only?
A: No, you may charge your donation to Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

Q. Will my individual contribution be credited to my chapter and division?
A. Any member who contributes to the Family of Givers campaign will automatically have their gift credited to the respective chapter/division. Thus Family of Givers contributions will augment any local fundraising efforts that your chapter may engage in throughout the year.

Retirement Trust Foundation Committee

Q: What is the RTFC?
A: This is an international committee whose members promote, develop, and implement programs and projects of the Trust.

Q: Who serves on the committee?
A: The committee consists of six members, one representative from each of IAAP’s six districts, and interacts with the Trustee serving as the RTFC Liaison.

Q: How do they get appointed and how long do they serve?
A: Appointments are made from members who submit an Application for Appointment to International Committees and Retirement Trust Foundation Committee. The appointments are recommended to the Board of Trustees, by the IAAP International President-Elect and the RTF Chairman, at the Spring RTF Board Meeting.  Committee members serve for one year beginning at the close of the International Convention and Education Forum.  Committee members may seek reappointment but must reapply each year.

Q: What do committee members do?
A: They are the liaison between the Trust and Chapter/Division RTF Committees.  They provide information and assistance to chapters/divisions and report back to the Trustees information received from the chapters/division.  All committee work is done via mail, e-mail, and other forms of communication; there are no committee meetings.

 Q. Can I serve as an RTFC Committee member and also serve at the chapter and division level?
A. Members of the committee may accept other IAAP assignments at the chapter or division level; however, in any conflict, the work of this committee must be considered a priority commitment.

Q: How can I get involved with the Trust?
A: Ask your chapter and/or division leaders if they have an RTF Committee.  If they say yes, ask if there are positions available.  If not, offer to form one.  While chapters and divisions support the Trust in various ways, leadership positions often go unfilled each year.

Once you’ve gained experience at the chapter and/or division level, apply to serve on the International RTFC.