Ways to Give

We are thankful for the committed and growing group of people who choose to support our work by making personal financial contributions. There are many ways to support conservation including, but not limited to, making a direct donation, volunteering time, donating land, asking employers to match gifts, and much more. Below are details on different types of contributions to help you distinguish which type is best for you. Please find our Gift Acceptance Policy here.

EMPLOYER MATCH

Before making your individual contribution, check with your employer to determine if they offer a company dollar-for-dollar match. Often, the completion and submission of a simple form to your employer allows supporters to double their contribution to ALT. If you are unsure if your company offers a company matching program, then consult with your company’s HR representative. Here is just a sampling of companies who have contributed to ALT through their corporate matching program: Highmark, Google, BNY Mellon, EQT, Caterpiller, Verizon, and GlaxoSmithKline.

GIFTS OF STOCK

A gift of appreciated stock is a tax-wise way to support ALT because the full value of the stock can be donated without you or ALT paying taxes on its appreciated value.

GIFT FROM YOUR IRA

If you are 70½ or older, you may make direct charitable contributions from your IRA. Check with your financial planner or tax advisor to see if this is a good option for you.

GIVING FROM A DONOR-ADVISED FUND

Give to ALT during your lifetime from an established donor-advised fund and/or designate ALT as a future beneficiary of your fund.

ALT AS YOUR BENEFICIARY

Another popular way to make a planned gift is to name ALT a beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plan assets, other investments, or bank accounts. It’s as simple as filling out a form and can provide tax benefits. You can join the ALT Conservationist Society by letting us know you’ve listed us as a beneficiary by June 30, 2023; learn more here.

ALT IN YOUR WILL OR REVOCABLE TRUST

Anyone can make a gift in their will or revocable trust. The benefit of this method of giving is that you can make a lasting impact on the future of our region without impacting your immediate finances. You can adjust this pledge of support during your lifetime should circumstances change. You can join the ALT Conservationist Society by letting us know you’ve included us in your will or revocable trust by June 30, 2023; learn more here.

THE CONSERVATIONIST SOCIETY: PLANNED GIVING

Notifying us of your planned giving intentions will provide immediate benefit to ALT thanks to an anonymous donor who will make a $500 donation to ALT’s general fund for every person/family that declares their planned giving intentions before June 30, 2023. Learn more here.

GIFTS OF LAND

There are many ways for a real estate gift to support ALT’s efforts. These include direct conservation of the land if suitable, resale to generate funds (if land is not appropriate for protection), or to generate on-going revenue. Gifted land value is eligible for a federal tax deduction.

BARGAIN SALE OF LAND

Selling your land for less than the appraised value allows ALT to raise grant dollars to pay the balance for the land, and the gifted land value is eligible for a federal tax deduction.

GIFT OR BARGAIN SALE OF AN EASEMENT

Many landowners across the country have established their own land legacy by donating or bargain selling a conservation easement on their privately-owned land. A conservation easement allows you to continue to live on and use your property while legally preventing additional development in the future. Conservation easements are a popular tool for land trusts to protect land while serving as a tax write-off for the landowner.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE SUGGESTIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE FINANCIAL PLANNING, LEGAL, OR TAX ADVICE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PLANNER, LAWYER, OR ACCOUNTANT TO DETERMINE IF THESE FORMS OF GIVING WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Please contact Tom Dougherty, ALT’s Vice President of Development, at tdougherty@alleghenylandtrust.org to discuss possible gifts of these types.