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

LCMH Receives Generous Challenge Grant and is Honored at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado's 2008 Annual Luncheon

The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado has selected the Larimer Center for Mental Health as its 2008 Agency of Distinction Award winner. The award recognizes the Center for its excellence in service to the community.

TIn addition to the award, the Community Foundation has offered the Center a $70,000 challenge grant, offering $1 for every $2 raised for the Larimer Center for Mental Health Endowment Fund. "We hope that this challenge will help the organization rise to the next level - expanding its commitment to excellence in mental health care to even more people in our community," says Ray Caraway, president of the Community Foundation. "All of us at the Community Foundation are privileged to be associated with great nonprofit organizations, and LCMH is among the best in our community."

One in four U.S. families has someone who has mental illness and 26% of American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. "Mental illness is a disease. It can have a devastating impact on individuals, families, and our whole community," says Ratliff. "Yet despite its prevalence, too many go without treatment. In Colorado, nearly 67,000 people go without the mental health treatment they need. The worst part about this is that mental illness is so treatable."

In fact, treatments for people with serious mental illnesses are 70% to 90% effective. Through the Larimer Center for Mental Health Endowment Fund, the Center hopes to bring the life transforming and life saving treatment to all in our community who need it.

For more information about Larimer Center for Mental Health or the Center's Endowment Fund, contact Emily Dawson Petersen, 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.

Give From Your IRA

The IRA Charitable Rollover provision, which provided persons aged 70 ½ and older with the opportunity to contribute to charity out of their individual retirement accounts (IRA), expired at the end of 2007. Congress is expected to take up legislation in early 2008 to provide a one-year extension of the provision. Please check back for updates on this charitable giving incentive.

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 2008. 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