Memorial & Planned Giving
HART depends on the generosity and support of people like you, who believe that the animals we rescue and shelter deserve loving care in a safe, secure, and healing environment. Your donations also help support our efforts to build a “community of kindness” by promoting the spaying/neutering of companion animals, educating the public about responsible pet care, and promoting the humane treatment of all animals.
Planned giving options to support HART.
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• Leave a specific dollar amount or asset to HART.
• Designate a percentage of your estate to be given through your will or living trust.
• Give only the remainder, or residue, of your estate, or that which remains after bequests to loved ones have been made.The following is an example of suggested language to include in your will/trust:
"I give and bequeath to The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine (HART of Maine), a not-for-profit corporation, with principal offices presently located at 302 Rangeg Road, Cumberland Maine 04021 the sum of , or _______% of my estate, to be used for the accomplishment of its general purpose (or for a specific purpose as indicated)".
*Please note that we are prohibited from giving legal or financial advice and none of the information above should be interpreted as such. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift.
How to Make a Designation for HART on one of Your Accounts
Many banks and investment firms have portals for customers to access their accounts online. You may be able to designate beneficiaries or successors-in-interest through the submission of a web-based form. If you cannot find a way to make a designation online, contact your financial institution, life insurance company, or donor advised fund sponsor to request a form to make your designation.
Please consult your tax or financial advisor directly.
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If you own stock that has significantly appreciated in value and you have owned that stock for at least one year, instead of selling it and owing capital gains taxes on the sale, you can make a gift of that stock to HART.* HART then sells the stock, and since HART is a nonprofit, HART does not pay tax on the sale and can use the full value of the stock to benefit the cats and kittens in its care. Your broker or investment advisor is familiar with this process and will assist you in making the gift.
Please use HART’s gifting instructions and notification of gift forms by clicking here.
Donating to HART for the potential tax benefit.
We are a private, mostly volunteer-run shelter and do not receive government funding of any kind, so we rely entirely on the support of individuals, businesses, and foundations. HART is a charitable tax-exempt organization qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, gifts to HART may be deductible on your income tax return or otherwise provide favorable tax results depending upon your situation.
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A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA to a qualified charitable organization such as the HART. If you are currently taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from your IRA, and don’t currently need the extra income, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution by donating your RMD. The IRS allows anyone that is over the age of 70 ½ years of age, to donate up to $100,000 in a single tax year. Not only does this help to lower your taxable income, it helps to fulfill your charitable giving goals. Please be sure to consult your Accountant or Financial Advisor to determine if a QCD is right for you. See irs.gov for additional information.
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You can make gifts to HART of appreciated assets held for at least one year without triggering a capital gain tax. You may also get an additional benefit if you itemize your deductions by using the income tax charitable deduction based on the full value of your appreciated assets.
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Making HART a beneficiary of a portion or all of your retirement plan will avoid the income tax that might otherwise be due from your heirs.
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If you have sufficient assets and may be subject to estate tax, please consider a gift to HART from your will, trust, or other estate planning documents. Such a gift will reduce your estate tax burden. Assets in your IRA, 401(k), or another qualified retirement plan may be subject to income tax when distributed to heirs.
Ways you can give through a will or trust
• Leave a specific dollar amount or asset to HART.
• Designate a percentage of your estate to be given through your will or living trust.
• Give only the remainder, or residue, of your estate, or that which remains after bequests to loved ones have been made.
The following is an example of suggested language to include in your will/trust:
"I bequeath to The Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine (HART of Maine), a not-for-profit corporation, with principal offices presently located at 302 Range Road, Cumberland Maine 04021 the sum of, or _______% of my estate, to be used for the accomplishment of its general purpose (or for a specific purpose as indicated)".
*Please note that we are prohibited from giving legal or financial advice and none of the information above should be interpreted as such. We encourage you to consult with your own legal counsel or financial advisor before deciding whether or not to proceed with a gift.
How to Make a Designation for HART on one of Your Accounts
Many banks and investment firms have portals for customers to access their accounts online. You may be able to designate beneficiaries or successors-in-interest through the submission of a web-based form. If you cannot find a way to make a designation online, contact your financial institution, life insurance company, or donor-advised fund sponsor to request a form to make your designation. You will need HART’s legal information to complete the form.
If any of these options might apply to you, please consult with your attorney, financial advisor or tax preparer to determine what is right for you.
Thank you for your consideration.