Giving to SAFC, Protecting what you Love
The Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and relies on many different sources of income to do our good work. Grants from foundations are an important piece of the pie, as are special fundraising events like our annual Into the Woods benefit. An increasingly critical source of funding however is individual giving. Gifts from caring people like you give SAFC greater flexibility in our work, and let us tackle urgent challenges in a quicker, more agile fashion.
Individual gifts not only help protect the Old Growth Forests you love, but they can also provide significant tax advantages to the donor.
We certainly appreciate any and all donations to the cause, but there are additional ways for dedicated people like you to go above and beyond for the Great Forest.
Give a Gift Membership
Not only does this unique holiday gift idea help protect the Southern Appalachian Mountains, but it'll be enjoyed by your friends and loved ones throughout the whole year. Simply type the recipient's name into the Dedication or Gift Box and follow the steps. You can even send the recipient an eCard notification of your gift.Monthly Giving- Its fast and easy.
If you'd like to space out your gift over the course of the year, we can set your payments up to be automatically sent to SAFC every month. Its a great way to simplify your life and to generate a steady gift income for SAFC. When you click Donate Now, you'll see the option to make a recurring gift monthly, quarterly or annually. Simply choose the one that fits your needs best and make the donation. This choice also helps you spread out larger donations into more easily managed smaller donations, so please, think big!Have a Party
Hosting a House Party is another way to connect with and support SAFC. The idea is to invite your friends, family and neighbors to your home for some fun and to learn more about the Southern Appalachian Forests and the work SAFC is doing to preserve them. We'll provide the entertaining and knowledgeable staff and a brief presentation and Q&A session and you can help by hosting the party, getting folks to attend, and providing light snacks and beverages. Please contact Jody Flemming if you'd like to host the next SAFC house party.Gifts during your Lifetime
Cash
Maximize your charitable deduction and deliver immediate benefits to SAFC.
Stock
The IRS allows you one of its most significant tax breaks for gifts of appreciated securities. You simply transfer securities to SAFC and we then sell those to fund our good work. You will also realize several benefits from your generosity;
- You receive an income tax deduction for the value of the stock on the date of your gift, regardless of the price you originally paid.
- You pay no capital gains tax on the securities you donate.
Do you have an estate?
Your 'estate' is the sum of your assets, including property you own, insurance policies, retirement accounts, cash on hand, etc. Wealthy people may have very large estates, but even people who aren't wealthy often have the resources to make a charitable bequest. If every adult in America made a will and included a bequest of just $100, billions of dollars would flow to charitable causes every year.
Below, we have listed some of the more common ways to give. We always recommend that you carefully review the terms of your will with a professional trained in handling trusts and estates.
Without a will, there is no mechanism in place to make a bequest, so here are the steps you should take to make sure your wishes are granted.
- Make a list of organizations, like SAFC, that you would like to support.
- Make a detailed list of your assets (financial, real estate, vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, musical instruments, etc.)
- Set up an appointment with your financial analyst or attorney. These professionals will help sensitively guide you through the process.
Gifts Through Your Estate
Bequests
Give to SAFC while maintaining your cashflow during your lifetime. By including us in your will or revocable trust you make a lasting gift to conservation of our forests.
- You can change your bequest if you're your situation changes
- You maintain control of your assets in your lifetime
- There is no upper limit on the estate tax deductions that can be taken for charitable bequests
Retirement Assets
If you choose to donate your retirement plan to SAFC, it may well be worth more than it would be to your heirs. Simply name the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition as your beneficiary of your plan and after your lifetime the remainder goes to SAFC tax-free.
- Leaving your most highly taxed asset to SAFC makes sense and allows you to leave more tax-friendly assets to your heirs.
- You can avoid both income and estate taxes levied on the remainder of your retirement account and you continue to take withdrawals during your lifetime.
Life Insurance
Give a significant gift to SAFC without dipping into your capital assets. Simply naming SAFC as a beneficiary in your policy will demonstrate your lasting commitment to the forests you love. When the time comes, your generosity will help SAFC continue its effective protection of the Southern Appalachians.
Other Options
There are many more ways to give- gift annuities, charitable trusts, real estate and others. If your situation fits well with any of those vehicles for giving, please speak with your attorney or financial advisor about making arrangements to support SAFC and to protect what you love.