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Cash

Some of the most common ways to make a gift to New England Aquarium are to write a check, make a gift using a credit card, or donate online.

A gift of cash could be right for you if:

  • You want the easiest way to donate to the Aquarium.
  • You want the largest possible income tax charitable deduction for your gift.
  • You would like to make the gift to the Aquarium that has the greatest immediate impact.

How It Works

You make a gift of cash directly to the Aquarium and you receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction.

 

How Your Gift Helps

Your planned gift to the New England Aquarium will support ocean and marine animal conservation, scientific research, and education—for generations to come.

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What is an outright gift of cash?

An outright gift of cash is when you transfer funds to New England Aquarium and get nothing of financial value in return. The most common way for donors to make an outright gift is to write a check payable to New England Aquarium.

Gift provides immediate support

Unlike some other gift arrangements, your outright gift will provide resources that the Aquarium can put to immediate use. If you prefer to restrict our use of your gift in any way, please contact us so that we can be sure that we can carry out your wishes.

Maximum tax savings

You may deduct the full amount of your donation up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, providing tax savings if you itemize. You may carry forward all of your unused deduction for up to five additional years.

Ways to give cash

Most donors make an outright gift by writing a check payable to New England Aquarium and mailing it to us. You may also make a cash gift using your credit card.

Example

Roslyn Hebert would like to make an immediate $15,000 gift to New England Aquarium. Roslyn could write a check for this amount and earn a charitable deduction equal to $15,000. Alternatively, Roslyn could make a gift using her credit card by calling us on the phone, responding to a mailing, or by donating online through our website. Gifts of checks and gifts made via credit cards are considered cash gifts.

Benefits

  • Roslyn may deduct up to 50% of her adjusted gross income for her gift of cash, providing tax savings if she itemizes.
  • If Roslyn itemizes deductions but cannot use the entire deduction in the year of gift, she may carry the balance forward for up to five additional years.
  • Assuming Roslyn itemizes deductions and can use her entire income tax charitable deduction of $15,000, she will save her $5,550 (37% tax).
  • Roslyn will gain the satisfaction of making a $15,000 gift to the Aquarium.

 

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