Other Ways of Giving

Your gifts help maintain Cape Elizabeth’s rural character and natural lands. Here are the many ways that you can provide financial support to CELT:

Cash Gifts

Checks made payable to Cape Elizabeth Land Trust may be sent to 330 Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107. For directions regarding wire transfers, please contact Patty Renaud at 207-767-6054 or patty@capelandtrust.org. Donors are reminded that CELT will incur fees related to credit and debit card gifts, as well as additional processing fees for gifts made online.

Online Donations

Online donations may be made on our secure donation page. Please keep in mind that the benefit to CELT of such contributions will be reduced by credit and debit card fees, as well as other processing fees. You may opt to cover those fees at the time of making your gift. Thank you!

Recurring Monthly Gifts

Consider making a monthly, recurring gift. It’s an easy and convenient way for you to make your annual gift, and helps us better plan for the future. Simply select your preferred frequency on our secure donation page. You’ll get just one tax receipt at the end of the year.

Gift Memberships, Tributes & Memorials

A gift membership or donating in someone’s name is a thoughtful way to honor a special person in your life while contributing to the good of the community. You can indicate on our donation page if you want to pay tribute to a particular individual with your donation.

Employer Matching Gifts

Many corporations will match your gift dollar for dollar, doubling your impact on Cape’s environment. Check with your human resources department and follow your employer’s guidelines to request the match. If a form is required, email the form to info@capelandtrust.org. Some companies also match contributions made by retirees, and may match gifts made in the last 12 months.

Workplace Giving

Although CELT is not a member of any formal workplace giving vehicle, you can designate your gift through United Way, MaineShare, EarthShare or others directly to CELT. Our tax ID/EIN is 22-2736834.

Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund established through your financial services company or community foundation, allows you to easily support multiple nonprofits and secure tax benefits.

Distributions from your IRA

Annual withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts are required after age 70½,

and the penalty for skipping a required minimum distribution is 50 percent of the amount that should have been withdrawn. However, if you are in the fortunate position of not needing your distribution for living expenses and are charitably inclined, you can avoid income tax on your required withdrawal by donating your money directly to CELT.

Publicly-Traded Securities

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds may provide you with significant tax benefits. Advance notice is requested when depositing eligible securities. Please contact Patty Renaud at 207-767-6054 or patty@capelandtrust.org for transfer instructions. (Note: Gifts of equity interests or debt obligations of a private or non-publicly traded company require the advance approval of CELT’s board.)

Real Estate Gifts

Gifts of real estate, remainder interests in property and/or bargain sales of real estate may be made to support CELT. When a donor offers a gift of real estate, CELT will first evaluate the suitability of the property for conservation. Gifts of real property that do not meet CELT’s conservation criteria may be accepted for sale. All gifts of real property must be evaluated by the Lands Committee and approved by CELT’s board.

Retained Life Estates

CELT may accept a gift of a residence, agricultural property or other property (or a portion of such property) for which the donor retains a life estate, or an interest for a fixed number of years. Such real property gifts, which must be approved by CELT’s board, will typically be considered only for donors who are 65 or older.

Irrevocable Bequests and Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

A bequest permits you to make a significant donation without diminishing the assets available to you during your lifetime. Naming CELT as a beneficiary of your retirement plan may also be a wise tax strategy.

Life Insurance Policy Gifts

You can transfer ownership of a paid-up life insurance policy to CELT or make a gift by naming the land trust as the owner and sole beneficiary of a new policy. Both methods of giving may have significant tax savings.

Planned Gifts of Advised Funds or Trusts

Please contact Patty Renaud at 207-767-6054 or patty@capelandtrust.org to discuss the many options available for a planned gift. We would be pleased to work with you and your advisors to discuss all legal, tax or other financial issues related to your gift or bequest.

Because CELT is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity, supporters may donate many types of assets. Gifts will provide the maximum tax benefits allowed by law. We encourage you to contact our campaign leaders to talk about your gift, but tax advice should be sought from accounting and/or legal professionals.