Ways of Supporting Audubon Science

  

Red-bellied woodpecker
by Howard B. Eskin

Audubon Science provides support to the entire organization as well as serves as a technical resource to the general public. We must raise 90% of our operating budget which is why we rely heavily on donations from people like you.

We welcome your tax-deductible gift which will support the programs and tools that help us achieve Audubon's bird and habitat conservation goals. And now it is easier than ever to support Audubon Science!

Gifts to Audubon Science may be made in a variety of forms, including cash, securities, and real estate, or through planned gifts such as bequests, trusts or annuities.

Cash Gifts
To support Audubon Science's programs and conservation efforts, please complete our gift form (42K) and send your check or money order to:

Don Ekstrom
Audubon Science
545 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974

Charge Your Gift
To charge your gift, please complete our online donation page

Gifts of Stock or Mutual Funds
There are significant tax advantages to giving stock or mutual funds to Audubon Science, and the process is quite simple. Making a gift of long-term appreciated securities to Audubon Science avoids the usual 20% capital gains tax and the full market value of the stock is tax-deductible. To receive an information form for electronic gift transfers, please call Susan Ketterlinus, Development, at 215-355-9588, x21 or email sketterlinus@audubon.org

Honorarium and Memorial Gifts

House wren by Howard B. Eskin

Let the memory of a special person live on through a memorial gift to Audubon Science. Giving a contribution in the name of someone who has passed away is a beautiful way to pay tribute to his or her love of birds, wildlife and nature. The memory of a loved one lives on in our sanctuaries, our educational outreach, our science programs and all of our other efforts to protect birds, wildlife and habitat.

You also can give contributions in honor of anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, weddings, or other special occasions. A contribution given in someone's honor is a beautiful way of commemorating a special day or event, or just giving thanks for someone special in your life.

When you give an honorarium or memorial gift, the person honored or the family of the person memorialized will receive an acknowledgement of your tax-deductible gift. Your token of appreciation recognizes that person's contribution to our conservation efforts and at the same time it broadens and continues their legacy by supporting Audubon Science work.

Matching Gifts Program
Make your gift go twice, or even three times as far. If your company has a matching gift program, ask your human resources representative for a matching gift form, fill out your portion, and enclose it with your gift.

In-Kind Gifts
Audubon Science and its programs are always in need of various materials, supplies and equipment. As our Wish List at the top of this page indicates, anything from printing services and office equipment to donations of binoculars and field guides will be gratefully accepted. Please call us at 215-355-9588, x21 or email sketterlinus@audubon.org for a current copy of the Audubon Science Wish List.

Now, You Can Make a Gift To Audubon From Your IRA
Now you can be a philanthropist. The Pension Protection Act passed by congress last summer allows donors to make charitable gifts from their IRAs. If you are 70 ½ years old or older, you can make a gift (up to $100,000) from your traditional or Roth IRA and the distribution will not be subject to income tax.

Background: At 70 ½ owners of IRAs must begin taking taxable distributions from their plans. (Remember that IRAs were never intended to avoid taxes, only to defer them.) At 70 ½ it is time to pay the piper.

If you don't need to start taking distributions, or if you don't need the entire amount mandated by minimum distribution formulas, you may find it more advantageous to use your IRA as a source of funds to make charitable gifts. Under current law, this opportunity applies only to gifts made before December 31, 2007. If you would like to further explore the possibility of supporting Audubon Science, please call our office at 215-355-9588, x21. Please also consider naming Audubon as a beneficiary of a portion of the amount left in your IRA at the time of your death. Generally, it is better to leave IRA assets to charity and cash and stocks to family.

Audubon Science Gift Societies
The Lucy and John James Audubon Giving Society provides a vehicle for supporters to supply significant annual financial support to Audubon Science. All donors who give at least $1,000 per year to Audubon Science are members of the Society. Support can be provided at the following levels:

  • Hummingbird ($1,000 - $2,499 ). Donors receive a complimentary subscription to the Society newsletter, invitations to regional and state events, and honored recognition in the National Audubon Society Annual Report.
  • Songbird ($2.500 - $4,999). Donors receive all of the benefits listed above, plus a gift book or fine photographic print by a well-known nature artist.
  • Waterbird ($5,000 - $9,999). Donors receive all of the benefits listed above, and are invited to an intimate reception with a well-known nature writer or photographer.
  • Raptor ($10,000 -$24,999 ). Donors receive all of the benefits listed above, and are invited to join the staff of Audubon Magazine for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this award-winning magazine, considered the gem of the environmental publishing world.
  • Great Egret ($25,000 and above). Donors receive all of the benefits listed above, and enjoy a customized birding trip with one of our expert ornithologists, somewhere in North America. Those who join as a Founding Member with a commitment of two years or more may invite two family members or friends along on the trip.

Planned Gifts and Bequests
You can enhance your financial plans and security by maximizing the tax benefits to you and/or your family while helping to assure that Audubon Science's work will continue long into the future. Planned gifts are usually made after considerable thought on the part of the donor and may be given to support current operations, capital expenses, special projects or endowment.

American Goldfinch by Howard B. Eskin

For more information about will bequests, charitable trusts, charitable gift annuities, retirement plans or other planned giving options, please contact Audubon Science:

Susan R. Ketterlinus, Development
Audubon Science
545 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-355-9588, x21

sketterlinus@audubon.org

Thank you for considering a gift to Audubon Science!



Audubon Science Wish List:

  • Large format plotter (e.g.,42”) for map and poster production
  • Laser printer (black andwhite or color)
  • Printing services for poster production and associated laminating
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