Giving to The Commons
Thank you for considering a gift to The Commons. Described below are a number of options for supporting us. Because The Commons is a nonprofit organization, most gifts qualify for federal and state, income tax charitable deduction benefits.

Cash Donations
Gifts of cash to The Commons can be made by check or credit card. A contribution of $200 or more will qualify you for an enterprise zone tax credit. Donors may claim a Colorado State income tax credit of 25 percent of the value of the contribution up to a maximum credit of $100,000. For in-kind contributions, contributions may not exceed 50 percent of the otherwise allowable credit. This means that the amount of the credit for in-kind contributions alone is 12.5 percent of the value of the contribution, up to a maximum credit of $50,000.

Please make donations payable to: Durango Adult Education Center or Southwest Conservation Corps.

Planned Gifts
Planned gifts include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, gifts of appreciated stock, and charitable remainder trusts.

How to include The Commons in my will:

You can make charitable gifts by naming The Commons as a beneficiary in your will. The federal government encourages these gifts or bequests by allowing an unlimited estate tax charitable deduction. Your attorney should, of course, be involved in planning your will.

The following is the correct language to use if it is your intent that your bequest benefit to The Commons:

"I give, devise, and bequeath to Southwest Institute for Education and Conservation located at 701 Camino del Rio, Ste. 302 in Durango, Colorado the sum of __________ dollars." (Or designate the percentage of the estate or otherwise describe the gift.)

Gifts of Appreciated Stock (or Other Assets)

Gifts of Stock to The Commons

Thank you for your interest in and generous support of The Commons. A gift of appreciated securities that have been held for more than one year can offer significant tax advantages and is a valuable way to make a contribution to a charitable organization. Giving such securities is simple, but you should always consult your tax advisor before doing so.

Electronic delivery of stock shares is the most secure and expedient delivery process available and provides efficient internal control as well as cost savings. If you hold the certificates, or if your stock is registered with the company, you may transfer your certificates directly to The Commons. To help you facilitate a gift of stock, please use the following instructions.

Notification of Donor Intent
In order for The Commons to properly credit and acknowledge gifts of stock, we need the following information, regardless of the method chosen to deliver your gift of stock:

• Donor's name and complete address (if it is to be anonymous, please indicate)
• Name and number of securities transferred
• Specific Commons program / project to which gift should be directed, if any.

Charitable Remainder Trust

One way to make a gift of your retirement plan is to create a charitable remainder trust through your will. It works like this: Your IRA assets will be transferred to a charitable remainder trust. There is no tax due because the charitable remainder trust is a tax-exempt entity. The trust will provide life income to the beneficiary (for example, your child) with an eventual gift to The Commons. The beneficiary will pay income tax on the distributions from the trust. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the value of The Common’s right to eventually receive the trust assets.

When you create a charitable remainder trust, you irrevocably transfer money, securities or other assets to a trust that will then pay you an income for life or for a period of years. If you wish, the trust also can pay an income to another beneficiary of your choice. At the death of the surviving beneficiary, the remaining principal in the trust goes to us.

You can design your trust to fit your own special needs. First, you decide how much you'd like to put into the trust. Second, you determine the income you'd like to receive from the donated assets. The rate of income return you select must be at least 5 percent. Usually, the rate selected is 5 percent to 7 percent. The best rate for you will depend upon the number of beneficiaries you select and their ages. Third, you decide which type of charitable remainder trust will work best for you.

Gift Annuities

Gift Annuities -- When you give a gift annuity, you transfer a specified amount of cash or stocks to The Commons. In exchange, you receive a guaranteed fixed regular payment for your life and/or that of your spouse or friend ( the older the beneficiaries, the higher the rate). In addition, you can take a sizable charitable deduction.



Living Trusts

How to include the Commons in your trust
To include a gift to The Commons in your trust, please designate a specific amount or percentage to “The Commons."

What is a Living Trust? A Living Trust is an asset management plan established during your lifetime. Just like a will, a Living Trust contains your instructions for what you want to happen to your assets when you die. But, unlike a will, a Living Trust avoids the probate court process. This can result in savings of time and expense to your heirs. Because there are many complicated issues involved in establishing a Living Trust, you should consult an attorney experienced in estate planning in your state of residence to draft your Living Trust.

Who should have a Living Trust? Age, marital status and level of wealth do not really matter. If you own titled assets and want your loved ones to avoid court interference at your death or incapacity, consider a Living Trust.

A Partial List of Benefits of a Living Trust

• Avoids probate at death, including multiple probates if you own property in other states
• Prevents court control of assets at incapacity
• Brings all your assets together under one plan
• Provides maximum privacy
• Quicker distribution of assets to beneficiaries
• Assets can remain in trust until you want beneficiaries to inherit
• Relatively easy to set up and maintain
• Can be changed or canceled at any time
• Difficult to contest
• Prevents probate court control of minors' inheritances
• Can protect dependents with special needs
  
  How can I find out more? Talk with your attorney, accountant, or financial adviser.

Confidentiality
All information concerning donors or prospective donors of any gift shall be held in strict confidence by The Commons and its personnel and outside advisors, including names of donors, names of beneficiaries, the amount and kind of gifts, and the size and nature of donors' estates, unless permission to release such information is obtained from the Donor.

Volunteer
We need assistance with planning, construction, green building design, technology, and more.

Further Information - Please call our office at 970-385-4354.

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