Training, Education & Research Institute Announce Television and Radio Host as National Spokesperson

June 20, 2011 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO – June 20, 2011 - The Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI, Inc.), a nonprofit center of excellence and social change for people with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, announced today that nationally recognized author, speaker, radio and television talk show host and entertainer, Ray Lucia, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, has been named the national spokesperson for the TERI Power of Real Estate Program (http:// thepowerofrealesate.org). TERI’s real estate gifting initiative is designed to provide donors of real estate a trusted and efficient means of crafting gifts to meet their individual needs. With 35 years of experience in tax, finance and retirement planning, Lucia is a leading proponent of using real estate to create charitable remainder trusts (CRT’s) as a way to give to nonprofit organizations.

“Just as financial planning builds a future for individuals, TERI is building a future of happiness and security for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities through its innovative programs and services,” said Lucia. “After decades of assisting people through money management education, I’m pleased to represent TERI’ the Power of Real Estate Program and offer my expertise in the philanthropic world. I have seen first-hand how CRT’s are an effective way for donors to give large gifts to 501(c)3 organizations while ensuring maximum tax benefits and TERI’s Power of Real Estate Program has done an exceptional job of using CRT’s as a way to ensure ongoing monetary support for individuals with special needs.”

TERI’s Power of Real Estate Program provides donors the opportunity to use charitable remainder trusts to donate their property to TERI. The use of a charitable remainder trust can reduce tax liabilities and provide charitable contribution deductions. TERI’s Program takes the mystery out of gifting of real estate and will play a major role in raising its $5 million “Building the Future” fundraising goal by year-end.

Cheryl Kilmer, founder and CEO of TERI, added, “We are honored to bring Ray into the TERI family as our Power of Real Estate Program national spokesperson. TERI has always been committed to utilizing progressive donation methods that ensure maximum benefits for our donors and now we have one of the leading experts in money management to further educate and promote our real estate gifting initiative. TERI’s Power of Real Estate Program supports the completion of the Charles R. Cono Campus for Life Quality, a central campus for our nationally recognized model programs and initiatives that assist us in creating the highest quality of life for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.”

TERI’s Power of Real Estate Program is under the direction of the TERI Real Estate Advisory Committee, comprised of leading attorneys and real estate experts from across the country.  Attorneys, brokers, developers, financial advisors and professionals in related fields with an interest in discussing benefits for clients and volunteering to assist TERI in the acquisition of real estate gifts are invited to contact John De Michele, chief development officer at TERI, at (760) 721-1706 or johnd@teriinc.org. To learn more about TERI, its Power of Real Estate Program, the Charles R. Cono Campus for Life Quality or to give a gift, visit: http:// teriinc.org, or text or email teri@mogiv.com. To join in on the latest conversation, visit: http://facebook.com/teriinc or http://twitter.com/weareteri. To learn more about TERI’s national spokesperson, Ray Lucia,  or The Ray Lucia Show, visit: http://raylucia.com.

About the Training, Education & Research Institute (TERI, Inc.):
Founded in 1980, TERI, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501 (c)(3) California corporation. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities, specializing in serving individuals who have needs which cannot be met by other existing programs. TERI looks to the future by continuing its commitment to set new standards through establishing model programs, conducting applied research in best practices and procedures and offering training and consultation to professionals, families, and community members. Recognized as a model program in the State of California for the quality of services it provides to its clients, TERI relies on donations from the community and foundations in order to continue to set the highest standards and ensure an uncompromised quality of life to its population. For more information, visit http://teriinc.org.

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