Charitable Giving

Earn an Oregon Tax Credit

The Friends is now a qualified nonprofit organization where you can double your impact for FREE through the Oregon Cultural Trust tax credit. The Oregon Cultural Trust tax credit is a unique way for the state to fund cultural and heritage activities in the state, and we are grateful to be one of their charitable beneficiaries.

To qualify, you need to first make a donation to a qualified nonprofit organization(s) - and the Friends are pre-qualified. Then make a matching gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust. Oregonians who pay state income tax will get the credit back for their gift to the Trust – dollar for dollar – on their tax return.

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Here’s how to help the Friends and get your Oregon Tax Credit.

  1. Total what you give to the Friends and other qualified nonprofits on this list.

  2. Give a matching amount to the Oregon Cultural Trust online or by mail before December 31. Mail to: 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200 / Salem, OR 97301

  3. On your State Tax Form, report your gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust. You’ll get 100% of it back--up to $ 500 for individuals, $ 1,000 for couples filing jointly, and $2,500 for class C-corporations!

Charitable giving is still effective directly from your IRA

People older than age 70½ can transfer up to $100,000 per year from their traditional IRAs to charity, which can count as their required minimum distribution. This amount is not taxable if they follow the rules for a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). The gift stays out of your adjusted gross income only if you make a direct transfer from your IRA to the charity. It doesn’t count as a tax-free transfer if you withdraw the money first and then make a donation to the charity.

Ask your IRA administrator what steps you need to take, because the procedures can vary from firm to firm, but it can be a simple and tax effective way to make a meaningful contribution.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities

Thanks to a generous donor who wanted to use this tax-wise opportunity, we now have established an account to accept contributions of securities (held long term, over 12 months and appreciated in value). This is a smart way to give often with just a phone call to your investment advisor required.

You can contribute appreciated securities and receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value. If you sold them you would have to pay capital gains tax on the appreciation - but when you give to a qualified charity, you get to give the full value and we can sell them without paying taxes - so we both get maximum benefit.

We are thankful to David Preszler at Preszler Wealth Planning in Medford for their expertise and support in helping us manage this opportunity.

Gifts of Personal or Tangible Real property

If you’d like to discuss how to give other property that can be a mutual and tax wise contribution, don’t hesitate to contact our Executive Director. We can accept gifts of vehicles, real estate, and other tangible assets.

We can also help you explore the benefits of a Charitable Remainder Trust that could provide you or family members a return income for life, or a period of years.

*Note that we are not qualified to give legal or tax advice - please consult your own tax advisor.