WAYS TO GIVE
No matter whether you make a gift of cash, stock, or include BEMF in your estate planning, you may always direct your gift to a particular area that interests you, such as a Named Gift Opportunity, the BEMF Education or Recording Funds, or the BEMF Annual Fund. Click on the links below for information on how you can make your gift to BEMF.
Mail a Check
By making your tax-deductible contribution by check, you save BEMF the rising cost of credit card processing fees. Checks payable to Boston Early Music Festival (or “BEMF”) can be mailed to:
| Boston Early Music Festival 161 First Street, Suite 202 Cambridge MA 02142-1207 Attn: Development Office |
If you wish to support a specific initiative, please indicate in writing how you would like your gift to be designated, either on your check’s memo line or in an accompanying letter.
Matching Gifts
Increase your philanthropic impact with a Matching Gift from your employer
You may be able to double or even triple the size of your gift through your employer’s matching gift program. Because each employer has different requirements, you will need to contact the Human Resources Office for your company’s specific matching gift form and information. Complete the matching gift form and send it with your gift to:
| Boston Early Music Festival 161 First Street, Suite 202 Cambridge MA 02142-1207 Attn: Development Office |
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Securities
With a gift of appreciated stocks or bonds, you can support Boston Early Music Festival while enjoying significant tax advantages. When you electronically transfer appreciated stocks or bonds directly to BEMF’s account, you realize no gain on the sale, so you avoid capital-gains tax. Typically, BEMF will sell the gifted security and put your donation to work right away, creating a win-win situation for everyone!
To make a donation of securities, call your broker with instructions to transfer your security to BEMF’s account at Detwiler, Mitchell, Fenton & Graves on a date specified by you. Your broker will need the following information about BEMF’s account to make the transfer:
Contact person: Member FINRA/SIPC Account Number: FWB-038113 NFS DTC#: 0226 |
Please also notify Kathleen Fay, Executive Director, at 617-661-1812, or by email at kathy@bemf.org, with the name of the security, number of shares, and the date of the transfer so that we can accurately account for your gift. We will confirm the transaction with our broker, and then send you an acknowledgment letter for your tax records, documenting the transfer and mean value of the security on the day it is received in our account. Your broker should send you a confirmation as well, but the letter from BEMF will suffice for tax purposes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Charities like Boston Early Music Festival are unable to accept stock certificates or bonds directly. If your securities are in the form of stock certificates or are registered directly (not held in street name), please deliver them to your broker, and then contact us.
If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please feel free to contact Kathleen Fay at 617-661-1812, or by email at kathy@bemf.org.
Planned Giving
Boston Early Music Festival offers many Planned Giving options to support BEMF in perpetuity while achieving your own financial goals, which may include life-long income for you and/or family members, significant tax advantages, and the chance for your gift to go further. All Planned Giving arrangements must be executed by a licensed practicing attorney, preferably one with experience in estate planning. For recommendations of experienced estate planning attorneys in your area, or to discuss your Planned Giving arrangements with BEMF, please contact Kathleen Fay, Executive Director, at 617-661-1812, or by email at kathy@bemf.org.
Gifts in Kind
All non-cash gifts are termed “gifts in-kind.” The three main categories of gifts-in-kind are:
- equipment and supplies;
- services; and
- other (such as musical instruments, recordings, scores, books, and real estate)
Your gift may provide you with federal and state income tax benefits:
- If you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you may be able to deduct your contribution to BEMF from your adjusted gross income. In addition, gifts of appreciated property avoid long term capital gains tax. Check with your tax advisor for deduction and capital gains tax requirements and limitations for your situation.
- Your state may also allow a credit or deduction. Massachusetts residents may be eligible for a significant credit against state tax. Check with your tax advisor for deduction requirements and limitations for your situation.
If you are considering such a gift, please contact Kathleen Fay, Executive Director, at 617-661-1812, or by email at kathy@bemf.org, to discuss how your gift might be of value to BEMF.
Corporate Support
To make a corporate gift to BEMF, or to enroll in our Community Partnership Program, please contact Kathleen Fay, Executive Director, at 617-661-1812, or by email at kathy@bemf.org.
