How You Can Help

YOU CAN HELP REBUILD LIVES.

Your tax-deductible donation helps people receive the care they need so much.

Larimer Center for Mental Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency. We depend on community support through grants, donations, volunteers and in-kind contributions to provide many services.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Emily Dawson Petersen, Director of Development & Marketing, at (970) 494-4226 or Emily Dawson Petersen

The Larimer Center for Mental Health Endowment Fund - There is still time to leverage your gift with a match!

Learn more about the Larimer Center for Mental Health Endowment Fund.

For More information about Larimer Center for Mental Health or the Center's Endowment Fund, contact Emily Dawson Peterson, Director of Development and Marketing at (970) 494-4226.

Enjoy Tax Savings

Federal tax laws and those of many states make it possible to reduce or eliminate taxes on funds you give for charitable purposes. For example, because funds used to make charitable gifts are deducted from the amount otherwise subject to federal income tax when you itemize your deduction, you may be able to give more than you thought possible.

The amount and timing of your charitable gifts are totally within your control. This is why each year millions of Americans take advantage of the opportunity to make charitable gifts while also reducing their tax liability.

IRA Charitable Rollover Restored

Older Americans are once again able to contribute directly to public charities from their individual retirement accounts, thanks to a provision in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R.1424), signed into law on October 3, 2008. The IRA Charitable Rollover tax incentive, which is available through 2009, allows individuals aged 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and Roth IRAs to public charities without having to count the distributions as taxable income.

Gifts of Cash

Gifts of cash or by check are the most popular giving methods. Through gifts of cash, it is possible to eliminate or reduce income tax on up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.

Larger gifts may result in tax savings in as many as six tax years. Remember, the higher your tax bracket, the more you save.

Save More When You Give Other Assets

Gifts of property such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other appropriate assets that have increased in value since you have owned them can result in extra tax savings. If you have held such assets for longer than a year, you can generally give them and deduct their current value, including any "paper profits," from your taxable income.

Congress has provided that, in addition to regular tax savings, you do not have to pay capital gains tax on assets given to charity. This additional tax savings is one reason why some people choose to make their gifts in this way.

Gifts of appreciated assets can eliminate tax on up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. The assets that are best to give are those that have increased the most in value and would result in the greatest capital gains tax if sold instead of donated.

Many people also choose to give low-yielding assets, resulting in little or no impact on future spendable income.

If you have investments that have decreased in value since you have owned them, consider selling them and making a deductible gift of cash proceeds. This sale creates a loss which you may be able to deduct from other taxable income along with your cash contributions. The amount of your deductible loss, combined with the charitable deduction, may actually amount to more than current value of the donated asset.

When making a gift of securities, check with your financial services provider to ensure that the gift is transferred properly and in a timely manner. You should allow additional time for gifts of mutual fund shares or non-publicly traded securities. We will be pleased to assist in this process.

Leaving a Legacy

Wills, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other planning vehicles can offer exceptional opportunities for leaving a lasting legacy to charitable interests.

There are also ways to provide for meaningful future gifts while still generating income, immediate income tax savings and other benefits today.

Act Now for Greatest Benefit

Start now to plan your charitable goals for 2009. Remember that time spent deciding what, when, and how to best make your gifts can result in maximum tax savings and other financial benefits.

Please contact us if we can be of assistance in any way. Your accountant or other advisors can provide you with more information specific to your needs.

Contact Emily Dawson Petersen, LCMH Development and Marketing Director, at 970-494-4226 or