Ways to Give

A great way to pledge your commitment to the work of Island Heritage Trust that is easier on your budget and adds up for IHT’s. Sign up on our website by clicking the Donate Now button, choosing the monthly option and setting an amount to be taken from your credit/debit card each month.

USE YOUR IRA TO MAKE A TAX-EXEMPT GIFT TO IHT!

If you are aged 70-1/2 or more, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution.

The amount of a QCD is excluded from your taxable income in the year in which it is made.

To qualify, the QCD must be made directly from your IRA to IHT.  Contact your IRA custodian; they may have special forms for you to complete to arrange the distribution.

Distributions must be received by December 31 to qualify for exemption in this calendar year.

Some limitations apply.  Contact your tax advisor for more details.  IHT cannot offer legal or tax advice.

Please contact Julia Zell at IHT 207-348-2455 to let us know if you are making a QCD so we can assist in identifying the donation from our end.

Use this link to give directly to Island Heritage Trust through a Donor-Advised Fund held with any of the following three:

  • Fidelity Charitable
  • Schwab Charitable
  • BNY Mellon

Endowing an Acre Yields Benefits Forever

As a non-profit, Island Heritage Trust depends on membership, donations and grants to fund programs, and volunteer time and expertise to keep them running. Whether it’s dollars or dimes or simply time, all help is appreciated and put to good use.

One way some supporters, such as Monie Lonergan, have chosen to contribute is to “endow an acre.” From her perspective Deer Isle is a “marvelous island” and IHT is doing important work “to keep the land in its natural state.” She first came to Deer Isle with her family in 1984, and has been coming to stay “from Memorial Day to hunting season” most years ever since.

For her, the Endow an Acre Program is appealing because it will, over time, create an endowment, the interest from which can fund ongoing stewardship activities: signage, survey and legal work, trail maintenance, insurance, and staff time.

A long-term effort, the Stewardship Fund ensures proper oversight and maintenance of IHT’s holdings. Moreover, as a responsible member of the community, IHT makes an annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT), to the towns of Stonington and Deer Isle, at a rate slightly above the tax rate for land under forest management. One goal of the Endow an Acre Program is to ensure that resources continue to be available for the “payment in lieu of taxes.” The stronger its roots in the community, the better IHT can serve the Island and its residents, be they year round or, like Mrs. Lonergan, part-time.

Ultimately, as the Stewardship Fund grows, then monies raised through other IHT activities such as its annual campaign can be used to expand programs for schools and for residents, as well as visitors to the Island. As Mike Little points out, a healthy endowment ensuring proper stewardship is a win/win for everyone. And from Monie Lonergan’s point of view, the $750 it costs to “endow an acre” is money well spent, a contribution that will continue to benefit the Island for generations to come.

Planned Giving at IHT

Leaving a legacy gift to Island Heritage Trust will ensure that the natural beauty of Deer Isle that you have so loved will continue to be protected and championed into the future.

Planned gifts come in a variety of forms. The most common is the Charitable Bequest – the simple naming of IHT in your will. In most cases, the language to include is brief and straightforward, such as:

I devise and bequeath to Island Heritage Trust, Inc., a Maine charitable corporation, P.O. Box 42, Deer Isle, Maine 04627, the sum of $______ (or ______% of my estate) to be used for its general charitable purposes. 

Alternatively, you can designate a residuary bequest:

I devise and bequeath to Island Heritage Trust, Inc., a Maine charitable corporation, P.O. Box 42, Deer Isle, Maine 04627, all (or ______%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate whether real, personal, or mixed, to be used for its general charitable purposes.

Or a gift of property:

I hereby devise the following property to Island Heritage Trust, Inc., a Maine charitable corporation, P.O. Box 42, Deer Isle, Maine 04627, for its charitable purposes: [description of property]. 

Please consult with your estate advisor on the proper form for your gift.

Another option is to make IHT the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.

Island Heritage Trust introduced the Heritage Society to recognize the extraordinary commitment of people who include IHT in their estate planning. Members of this Society will be honored annually with a special summer event and, with permission, in our annual report and newsletters.

If you would like more information about becoming a Heritage Society member, or have already included IHT in your will and would like to be recognized as a member of the Heritage Society, kindly contact the office at 207-348-2455 or fill out and send in the IHT’s Heritage Society Membership Form.

The importance of these future gifts to support the Trust should not be underestimated. They give the Trust the endowment and confidence that the work we do and the lands we love will remain in good keeping for future generations to come.

Other options:

IHT does not offer other planned giving options, but if you would like to explore such a donation vehicle, IHT works with Maine Community Foundation to make options such as the following available to our supporters:

  • Qualified Pension Plans
  • Life Payment Gifts
  • Charitable Gift Annuities
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts

If you have any questions about contributing to Island Heritage Trust, please feel free to contact our office:

IHT is a charitable, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Ownership of appreciated stock may be transferred to Island Heritage Trust, and allows you to receive a charitable income tax deduction and to avoid a capital gains tax on appreciated value. Contact IHT for transfer information.

Naming Island Heritage Trust as a primary or contingent beneficiary of a policy or plan is a simple way to give a significant gift at low cost. Please see your tax and or insurance plan professional for the various ways to donate and potential benefits.

You may avoid sizeable capital gains tax acquired through the sale of a residence, vacation home, commercial property, or vacant lot by making a gift of this property and receive a charitable deduction for its full fair market value.

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