Gifts of Assets
Gifts of Cash
A gift of cash is the quickest, easiest way to support Hawk Mountain, and it provides the maximum deduction. You can claim the entire amount of your cash gift as a charitable income tax deduction. The IRS allows you to claim this deduction up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). You can claim excess deductions over the five tax years following your gift.
Cash is the simplest asset to donate. It is also the easiest for Hawk Mountain to accept and quickly put to good use.
A gift of cash can be made by check, money order, credit card, or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to "Hawk Mountain Sanctuary." Or, make an online gift now.
Mail a gift of cash to:
Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
1700 Hawk Mountain Road
Kempton, PA 19529
Checks to "Hawk Mountain"
Gift of Appreciated Securities
Contrary to popular belief, you can donate closely-held shares of stock in your own company and receive the same tax benefits as if those shares had been publicly traded. The key is to have an appraisal of the company completed in order to value the stock. You must secure and pay for the cost of independent appraisal.
You then transfer ownership of a block of shares in the company to Hawk Mountain through a deed of gift. Although not bound to do so, Hawk Mountain sells the shares back to the company either for a lump sum payment or a promissory note. These shares are now redeemed by the company and there are fewer shares outstanding.
You receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the shares.
Gift of Real Estate
There are many ways to donate real estate with many tax advantages.
You can donate real estate through your will, through an outright donation or a percentage of interest, but it is important to discuss your intent with Hawk Mountain to ensure we can use your gift. Should we agree to accept the property, in nearly all cases Hawk Mountain will sell it.
However, the Sanctuary is eager to protect land contiguous to our boundaries, within the viewshed or along the approach to the Sanctuary. If you would like to donate such a property, we encourage you to call for a confidential discussion. We also encourage private land owners in and around Hawk Mountain (or anywhere!) to consider a conservation easement, and would be happy to connect you with one of our partner land trust professionals.
Life Insurance Gift
Donate a policy, take a deduction, deduct any future premiums and make an extraordinary gift. You also remove proceeds from your taxable estate. Large cash values resulting from relatively small premiums make life insurance an attractive planned gift with several options:
Donate a fully paid policy: Some policies are old and no longer serve as an important security. When you name Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary you may claim an income tax deduction and remove the asset from your potential gross taxable estate.
Donate a partially paid policy: When you name Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary on a policy where premiums are still owed, any additional premiums you make will generate deductions.
Donate a new policy: You are entitled to deduct all premiums you pay when you designate Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of your policy.
Gift of Personal Property
Give valuable assets that you no longer want to insure or maintain and you may qualify for a deduction in return for your generosity. Hawk Mountain considers donations of valuable artwork, important collections or equipment that may be useful to our mission, or donations that we would sell to generate operating revenue.
This is an ideal avenue if the items have recognized value and you or your heirs no longer want to maintain the collections. Hawk Mountain is interested in gifts that are independently appraised at a minimum of $5,000.
Gift of Retained Real Estate
A great way to give, while you still keep!
If you do not wish to part with real estate during your lifetime, you may be able to gift your residence, farm, or vacation home and receive an immediate income tax deduction while you continue to use the property throughout your lifetime. And, when you set up the gift of your property now rather than in your will, you receive an immediate income tax deduction for the present value of the Sanctuary’s future right to your real estate.
This is a tremendous win-win for those who want to support Hawk Mountain but are not yet ready to leave their property.
Share your story
Have you already thought of Hawk Mountain in your estate planning? Did you name the Sanctuary in your will? If so, we'd love to hear your story. Email us today using subject line "Planned Giving Story," along with your name and contact information. Tell us why you made this decision, and what Hawk Mountain means to YOU.
Contact us Today
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions. We’re here to help you clarify your goals and to assist you in whatever way we can.
For a completely confidential discussion:
Mary Linkevich, Director of Development
[email protected] or 610-756-6000 x212
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
1700 Hawk Mountain Road
Kempton, PA 19529