How You Can Help

Gifts of Cash

Most gifts to St. Joseph’s Center are in the form of cash, usually by check. Cash gifts are deductible for federal income tax purposes up to a limit of 50 percent of your adjusted gross income with a five-year carryover allowed for any excess deductions.

Most donors prefer to make their gift unrestricted so that St. Joseph’s Center can use it where it is most needed. Donors also have the option to restrict their gift for a specific use.

Memorial, Special Day and Thinking of You Cards

Many supporters assist St. Joseph’s Center by using either the Memorial, Special Day or Thinking of You cards provided by the Center.

Memorial cards offer the donor the opportunity to express condolences and, at the same time, provide support for St. Joseph’s mission. Special Day cards provide the opportunity for donors to extend greetings on such occasions as a birthday or anniversary. Thinking of You cards allow donors the opportunity to let a friend or loved one know they are in their prayers and the prayers of the Sisters at the Center.

A phone call to the Center is all that is needed to obtain one of these cards or to have one mailed.

Life Insurance

Do you have life insurance policies that are no longer needed? You may either donate the life insurance policy to St. Joseph’s Center or name us the beneficiary. For the gift of a paid-up policy, you will be entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the lesser of the cash value of the policy or the total premiums paid. To qualify for the federal charitable contribution deduction on a gift of an existing policy, you must transfer ownership of the policy from yourself to St. Joseph’s Center, which will also become the beneficiary.

If you continue to pay premiums on a policy St. Joseph’s owns, you may deduct the premium payments.

Gifts of Securities

Many donors find it very advantageous to contribute assets of appreciated securities (stock), as opposed to cash, in order to benefit from existing tax laws. If you itemize, you are entitled to a charitable income tax deduction for the full value of your gift, provided that the securities have been owned for more than 12 months. Contributions of appreciated securities directly to St. Joseph’s Center allow the donor to avoid paying the capital gains tax, which would be due if the securities were simply sold.

If you have stock losses, you should sell the stock yourself to realize the loss and take the deduction for tax purposes. Then you could generate a charitable contribution by donating the cash proceeds of the sale to St. Joseph’s Center.

Prior to the transfer, it is advisable to inform the Center’s Development Department of the number of shares and the name of the company whose stock is being transferred, plus the name and the telephone number of the broker.

Gifts Through Bequests In Your Will

Each year St. Joseph’s Center is the honored beneficiary of bequests made by friends of the Center. Each bequest, whether large or small, has an impact on St. Joseph’s well beyond the time the gift is made. Through a general bequest, friends of St. Joseph’s may bequeath a stated sum of cash or securities. However, gifts of real estate, such as a home, may also be left to the Center. With a contingent bequest, you can name St. Joseph’s as the recipient of your estate only if others named in your will are not living at the time of your death. With a residuary bequest, you direct that the Center receive all or part of your estate after other specific bequests and expenses related to settlement of your estate have been paid.

When considering a bequest, St. Joseph’s Center strongly suggests you consult with your attorney as well as with St. Joseph’s Development Department.

Gifts That Give Back To You

A charitable gift annuity is a simple contract between you and St. Joseph’s that pays you a fixed-dollar amount (annuity) for your lifetime and that of another individual, if desired, based on your age(s) at the time of the gift. The older you are the higher the annuity. If you use appreciated property, such as stocks, to fund the gift annuity, you will escape the capital gains on the gift portion of the transaction and the remaining gain will be apportioned over your lifetime. This is a good way to increase income from stocks that pay small dividends and carry heavy capital gains.

A charitable remainder annuity trust, or CRAT, is a trust that will pay the donor (and one or more other named beneficiaries, if desired) a specified annuity income for life or a period of time not to exceed 20 years. The amount of the annuity is a fixed amount chosen by the donor at the time the trust is established and is paid at least annually.

Second Century Endowment Fund

Several years ago St. Joseph’s Center Foundation announced a region-wide effort to raise $4 million to create an endowment fund for St. Joseph’s Center. This marked only the second time in the Center’s history that a large public appeal for support was undertaken. All donations received through this effort are placed in the endowment fund and managed in perpetuity. Interest income from the fund is restricted to offsetting the reduction in government reimbursements. To date more than $2 million has been pledged, with more than half that amount already received.

Caring Tree of Life

Many individuals choose St. Joseph’s Center to make a tribute gift. These contributions are usually made in memory of a family member or friend, in honor of an individual, or in recognition of a special event.

The Center’s Caring Tree of Life is located in the lobby of St. Joseph’s Weinberg Therapy Building. Cast of solid bronze on an acrylic background with gold leaves, the Tree offers donors the opportunity to publicly recognize a person. Up to five lines can be engraved on each leaf, depending on the total number of letters.

For more information on the Tree, donors should call the Center’s Development Office.

Gregory Mervine Memorial Fund

Forrest and Connie Mervine, as a memorial to their son Gregg, who died at the age of 35, created this special fund in 2002. Donations to this fund will be used to support the operations of St. Joseph’s Center’s Mother/Infant Program.

Donations to the fund can be made by simply noting that the donation should be credited to the Gregory Mervine Memorial Fund.

For more information:
Jay O’Malley, Director of Development
570-963-1260; 800-786-6346
jomalley@stjosephscenter.org