Support Shelburne Farms

Inspire a new generation of stewards!

People who care about the future can support the mission and award-winning education programs of Shelburne Farms by making annual Membership contributions. These gifts to the Annual Fund provide essential financial resources for our work and are much appreciated.

Make a Membership Gift Make an Extra Gift

You may also contact our Membership Department for more information:802-985-8686.

Shelburne Farms is a 501(c)(3) education organization. Gifts of all amounts are deeply appreciated.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Free admission to the Walking Trails, Children’s Farmyard & Property Tours
Discounts on selected programs
Calendar of events, Annual Report, and other publications
10% discount at the Farm Store and Catalog purchases

Other Ways of Supporting Shelburne Farms

With careful planning, it is possible to support Shelburne Farms while enjoying personal and/or family financial benefits. Shelburne Farms is always grateful to work 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.

For more information about giving opportunities, contact Sue Dixon, Special Gifts Coordinator, Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT 05482, sdixon@shelburnefarms.org, 802-985-0318.

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 Stewardship 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 broker to transfer the stocks or bonds to Shelburne Farms’ account at Merrill Lynch: Account # 86604064 (DTC# 5198) . This account is managed for Shelburne Farms by Broker Danielle Gilbert-Richard, The Haas Group, Merrill Lynch, P.O. Box 637, Burlington, Vermont 05402 (Telephone: 800-286-6022 or 802-660-1012). In either case, please notify Annie Seyler, Shelburne Farms Development Office Coordinator, 802-985-0349, or aseyler@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 can 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 the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) for the benefit of Shelburne Farms. In return, VCF enters into a contract agreeing to pay the donor a fixed annuity for life.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT) 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 pass to the designationed nonprofit organization.

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

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.