Because the Foundation is a public charity, donors enjoy some distinct advantages and options as compared to various other charities. 

Donors to the Foundation are allowed to take a deduction for their contributions to the Foundation at the maximum rate of up to fifty percent (50%) of adjusted gross income.

Donors have several ways in which they can make a gift to the Foundation.  Gifts can be made as an unrestricted gift, the income from which is used where the Foundation’s board of knowledgeable local leaders deem it is most needed or best used.  Or donors may support a field of interest fund for the arts, education, the environment, or other area of charitable interest.  Donors may also elect that a specific charitable organization or organizations be the direct beneficiaries of a gift.

Donors can also establish donor advised funds through the Foundation.  Donor advised funds allow donors to be directly involved in the annual giving process, while at the same time taking advantage of the Foundation’s public charity status.  For more information on Donor Advised Funds, please select the Establishing a Donor Advised Fund link on the left of the page.