"When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."

Aldo Leopold
(1886 - 1948) American Forester

Ways of Giving to

Mississippi Valley Conservancy

Join us as we begin a new era of conservation in the Coulee Region of Western Wisconsin.  Your gift of personal or real property is a critical part of our efforts to conserve the unique environment of the Mississippi Valley.

To contribute to our current land acquisition projects, print and mail in the contribution form. Click here for the mail-in contribution form.

Or to donate online, click the "Donate Now" button below.    

Ways of Giving                           

Your gift to the Mississippi Valley Conservancy may qualify for possible tax deductions for charitable contributions under federal law. A donation to MVC can therefore help you minimize your income tax burden while at the same time supporting the conservation of the Coulee Region.

• Gifts of Cash: The majority of gifts to Mississippi Valley Conservancy are made by check.   Such gifts are generally deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income if you itemize. Your contribution is tax-deductible as defined by law.

 

• Gifts of Stock: A donation of stock that you've owned more than one year and that has increased in value can be beneficial to you as well. Capital gains taxes can be avoided through this donation and your charitable contribution deduction is equal to the full market value of the stock.

 

• Gifts of Land: Donors who choose this method of giving do so for many reasons: to ensure their land is conserved for future generations or to provide a lasting memorial.  Gifts of land can result in a charitable tax deduction as well as avoidance of capital gains taxes for the landowner. The IRS requires an independent qualified appraisal for this deduction.

  The Conservancy will conduct a site inspection of the land and determine if it is environmentally significant. If the land does not meet our land protection criteria, it will be considered as a trade land and sold to provide funds for conservation of land elsewhere.

 

• Conservation Easements: If you wish to retain ownership of your property while at the same time ensuring that the land will remain in its natural condition, a conservation easement may interest you. An easement allows you to use your land for purposes compatible with natural area conservation while prohibiting development and other non-compatible uses. The value of this type of charitable contribution is based on the value of the "development rights" being given away.
  If you're interested in this option, please contact our Conservation Director, George Howe at 608-784-3606 ext. 2 or email at: ghowe@mississippivalleyconservancy.org.

 

• Bequests: One of the easiest ways to give to MVC is through your will. In your will, you can name Mississippi Valley Conservancy as the direct beneficiary of specific assets, a portion of your estate, or of your residual estate after payment of other bequests. Bequests to MVC are completely free from federal estate tax and can, therefore, offer substantial estate tax savings. There is no set limit to the amount that you may leave to MVC or other charities through your will.

Legal Designation to Mississippi Valley Conservancy

The Conservancy should be named as:  The Mississippi Valley Conservancy, a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of Wisconsin, and with current business address of 205 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 511, La Crosse, WI 54601.

How to make your gift

Charitable giving may offer you substantial tax advantages. We would be pleased to provide you with additional information and assistance. The information presented here is general in nature. If you are interested in donating you should contact your personal tax advisor to learn how this information relates to your situation. If you are interested in finding out more about any of the above options, please feel free to contact our office.

There are many different options of charitable giving that may offer you substantial tax advantages, and we at MVC would be pleased to provide you with additional information and assistance. The information presented here is general in nature. If interested in donating, you should contact your own personal tax advisor and/or attorney to learn how this information relates to your situation.