• Home
• About Us
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Donate

Smart Growth Vermont Benefactors are community and state leaders who make an annual commitment of $1,000 or more to support our work. This essential core of supporters provide the resources and guidance to guarantee that Smart Growth Vermont has the staying power to find effective solutions to Vermont's most pressing land use and environmental problems.

In addition to the regular benefits of membership, benefactors enjoy the following:

• Advance notice of key program initiatives and reports
• Invitations to events and exclusive opportunities to meet with staff, Board and special guests
• Periodic program updates
• Recognition in our Annual Report

For more information about the Benefactor program, please contact our Development and Communications Director, Mary Harwood, at mary@[remove this text]smartgrowthvermont.org or (802) 864-6310.

Gifts of stocks, bonds and mutual funds to Smart Growth Vermont can be a tax-wise contribution. By donating stock instead of selling it, you can save capital gains taxes and increase your charitable deductions.

Your donation will support Smart Growth Vermont, and you will be able to deduct the stock at its full market value, generally up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. For instance, say you bought 100 shares of stock for $5 a share. It has appreciated to $15 per share, or from $500 to $1,500 in value. If you sell it, you'll owe a 15% long-term gain tax, or $150. If you donate the stock instead, you save the $150 tax AND get a $1,500 charitable donation, which can be worth as much as $450. Plus you'll be supporting our work.

If you hold stocks or bonds with a broker, you may transfer the securities electronically by instructing your broker to send the securities to our account at Charles Schwab. Following is our account information:

Charles Schwab
DTC # 0164 (Code 40)
ACCOUNT # 9124-0131
Smart Growth Vermont

In order to facilitate the transfer and acknowledgement of your stock gift, please notify us of your name and the name of the stock and number of shares being donated. Please contact our Development and Communications Director, Mary Harwood, mary@[remove this text]smartgrowthvermont.org or (802) 864-6310.

A planned gift to Smart Growth Vermont is a powerful and thoughtful way to share your dedication to Vermont with future generations.

Bequests

One of the easiest ways to ensure vibrant communities and preserve farms and rural lands in Vermont is to leave a charitable bequest to Smart Growth Vermont. A bequest is a gift to an individual, institution or charity from an individual's estate after the group has been named as a beneficiary in his or her will.

A bequest to Smart Growth Vermont is free from federal and state taxes. The amount of the bequest is deducted from your estate total, offering substantial savings by decreasing the value of the estate subject to taxation. There is no limit to the amount of your estate that can be left to charitable organizations.

For gifts that take effect after your lifetime, we suggest you name Smart Growth Vermont as follows: "...Smart Growth Vermont, a nonprofit organization, incorporated by the laws of the State of Vermont, having as its principal address 110 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401."

Retirement Plans

You can name Smart Growth Vermont as a beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts. Gifts from pension plans are issued free of federal taxes. If you're over 70, you have until December 31, 2009 to take advantage of the IRA Rollover provision. By donating your IRA instead of taking the mandatory income withdrawal, you'll get a charitable donation AND avoid income taxes.

Charitable Trusts

There are a number of charitable trusts you can set up to both benefit Smart Growth Vermont and stabilize your income. If you have assets that aren't producing income, by donating them in a remainder trust, you can increase your annual income and make a lasting contribution for Vermont's communities. There are several other ways that could benefit you and your family. For more information, please call Mary Harwood, (802) 864-6310, or email, mary@[remove this text]smartgrowthvermont.org.

Life Insurance

Life insurance policies allow several ways to give. You can donate a paid policy that you no longer need (smaller policies are often set up during child-raising years to provide support for spouses) by naming Smart Growth Vermont as the beneficiary and policy owner. In return, you will receive an immediate tax deduction based on your cost basis in the policy, and it will reduce the value of your estate by the full face value of the policy, potentially reducing estate taxes. Upon your death, the life insurance proceeds will be passed on to Smart Growth Vermont.

Another option is to donate a partially paid insurance policy to Smart Growth Vermont. You will receive a tax deduction based on your cost basis in the policy. Smart Growth Vermont can continue to make payments to benefit on the full amount of the policy in the future, exercise options to receive a reduced value based on the portion paid, or surrender the policy for its current cash value and benefit immediately from your gift.

Questions?

We suggest that you involve a legal advisor in making changes to your estate. If you have any questions about how these gifts are accepted or used at Smart Growth Vermont, please contact our Development and Communications Director, Mary Harwood, at mary@[remove this text]smartgrowthvermont.org or (802) 864-6310.

Thank you!