Make a Difference With These Smart Donation Options

The end of the year will be here before we know it. You want to help your favorite charity and choose the method of giving that makes the most sense for you financially. There are many gift options available. Here are five popular ways to help before the year comes to a close:

1. Give cash. Cash is an easy way to give each year. To document a cash gift of any amount, you must have a dated receipt from MCF. Make certain you receive one. A canceled check provides sufficient documentation only for gifts by check if they are less than $250.

2. Give appreciated stock or other property. When you give property, we'll sell it and you will eliminate all the capital gains tax you would have paid had you sold it. Your gift will be deductible at its full fair market value on its date of delivery if you have held it for more than one year.

3. Invest in a life income plan. A life income gift provides you with payments for the rest of your life and your favorite charity with support thereafter. If you use appreciated securities that you've owned longer than a year to fund the gift, you will be entitled to an income tax deduction based, in part, on the charitable portion of the securities' full value, in addition to eliminating up-front capital gains tax.

4. Give real estate, artwork or other tangible personal property. Give property that would have resulted in the greatest capital gain if you would have sold the asset instead.

5. Donate an insurance policy. A gift of a life insurance policy you no longer need makes a perfect year-end gift. To qualify as a deductible gift, MCF must become the policy owner. For most types of insurance policies, your tax deduction is usually the cost basis or the fair market value of the policy-whichever is less.

That's right, it's nearly scholarship season again! We awarded scholarships to more than 160 deserving students last year representing over $400,000, all thanks to the generous donors who have established scholarship funds at MCF. And, we're getting ready to do it again!

 

Qualifications vary widely resulting in scholarship eligibility for a diverse range of students. For most scholarships, students can apply online beginning January 1, 2017. The closing date for most scholarship applications is March 17, 2017. Scholarship awards generally range between $500 and $5,000, some of which are renewable for multiple years. For questions or more detailed information about our scholarship program, contact Database & Scholarship Manager Jenny Lou Stark at (406) 443-8313 or jstark@mtcf.org.

Learn more about establishing a scholarship fund in support of our students and Montana's future.

We're well into the giving season and November was another wonderful month of generosity. MCF made 32 grants representing more than $63,000. We wanted to share some photos of this generosity at work in Libby. One recent grant went to the Libby Saddle Club, which helped them purchase new horse stocks which were installed at J Neils Park. 

Another grant went to Libby Community Interagencies, Inc. dba Lincoln County Crisis Solutions. This grant was used to repair a roof on a shed and the siding on another used by victims of domestic violence to store their belongings. 

Thank you to these organizations for sharing their stories and for the good work they're doing in their communities!

Are you interested in putting your generosity to work? Learn more about giving through the Montana Community Foundation.

Who are the people that spend their days working for Montana's future? Let's find out!

1. Where are you from originally?

Malta, MT

2. What's your position at MCF and what do you do?

I am the Senior Accountant and help   manage the assets of the foundation and maintain its proper financial tracking and reporting within accounting, IRS and legal requirements. 

3. What's your favorite hobby/what do you do with your free time?

I love doing anything with family and friends, whether it's a sporting event or any type of indoor/outdoor recreation. I am also a bookworm - love reading.