Invest in tomorrow –
inspire a new generation of environmental stewards, today!

There are many ways people who care about the future of Shelburne Farms may support our mission, award-winning education programs, inspirational landscape and historic buildings. One of the most common is with a membership contribution to the Annual Fund, which provides essential financial resources for our 1,400-acre environmental education center. All membership contributions are tax-deductible, and gifts at all levels are deeply appreciated.

Membership benefits include:

• Free admission to the Walking Trails, Children’s Farmyard, annual Harvest Festival, and Art Exhibition & Sale
• Special discounts & advance registration on selected programs
• Calendar of events, Annual Report, and other publications
• 10% discount at the Farm Store and Catalog purchases

A FAMILY MEMBERSHIP ($65) includes 2 adults and the children (or grandchildren) in the household;
A DUAL MEMBERSHIP ($50) includes two adults;
AN INDIVIDUAL ($35) includes one adult.
Contributions to Shelburne Farms are tax-deductible. Gifts of all amounts are appreciated.

For more information, contact Membership Coordinator Sue Dixon at: sdixon@shelburnefarms.org or by phone at: (802) 985-0318.

With careful planning, it is possible for members to support Shelburne Farms while enjoying personal and/or family financial benefits. Shelburne Farms is committed to working with donors to utilize appropriate charitable tax planning tools to support their philanthropic and long-term financial objectives. Some of the most common ways of supporting Shelburne Farms and the financial benefits they provide are listed below.

Please let us know if you have included Shelburne Farms in your estate plans, so that we may thank you and add your name to our Stewards Circle.

Bequests
Donors may name Shelburne Farms as a beneficiary in their Wills using simple wording such as: "I give, devise, and bequeath to Shelburne Farms, a nonprofit educational organization in Shelburne, Vermont, the sum of $__________ (or describe any real or personal property), to be used for general purposes."

Stock Gifts
Gifts of appreciated securities, such as stocks, can offer donors a double benefit. When donated to Shelburne Farms, the full market value of the stock is tax-deductible and capital gains taxation is avoided.

Instructions for Giving Stock: To give securities to Shelburne Farms you may instruct your broker to hold the securities in an account for Shelburne Farms or authorize your representative to transfer the stocks or bonds to: Account # 86604064 for Shelburne Farms at The Haas Group, Broker Mary Haas, Lake & College, Suite 1G, P.O. Box 637, Burlington, Vermont 05402, Telephone: (800)286-6022 or (802)660-1012. In either case, please notify Shelburne Farms Membership Coordinator Sue Dixon at: (802) 985-0318 or sdixon@shelburnefarms.org of the transfer. Thank you!

It is important that donors NOT sell securities in their name, as they would then be liable for capital gains taxes.

Gifts of Life Insurance
Shelburne Farms ca be designated as a beneficiary of existing or new life insurance policies. At the time of death, life insurance policies designated to Shelburne Farms are tax-deductible and the estate tax is reduced by the value of the policy.

Retirement Plans
Shelburne Farms can be named as beneficiary of an Individual Retirement Plan (IRA), Keogh Plan, 401(k), 403(b) or other qualified pension plan. Payments of such benefits can avoid the combined income and estate tax liability that is often payable on these funds at the time of the donor’s death.

Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA) are partly a charitable gift and partly the purchase of an annuity contract. A donor transfers property, usually appreciated securities, to Shelburne Farms. In return the Farms enters into a contract agreeing to pay the donor a fixed annuity for life.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable Remainder Trusts are most useful to donors who own highly appreciated assets that earn a low rate of return. A donor transfers the assets into an independent trust reserving an income interest for one or more beneficiaries. When the income interest ends, the trust terminates and the assets revert to charity.

Life Estate Reserved
With Shelburne Farms’ approval, an individual may donate real estate (home farm, etc.) and continue to use it throughout his or her lifetime. This is known as a gift of remainder interest with a "life estate reserved." Such an arrangement can generate income and estate tax savings for the donor, while benefiting Shelburne Farms at the end of the life interest.

Appreciated Assets & AGI
With any donated property – including stock and real estate – that has appreciated in value, the donor’s deduction is limited to 30% of adjusted gross income (AGI). If the value of a donor’s gift of appreciated assets exceeds 30% of the AGI limit, the balance may be carried over and deducted for up to five additional years. *

*Cash gifts are deductible up to 50% of the donor’s AGI and the same five year carry-over rule also applies.