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We are a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization accepting cash or in kind donations, all of which are tax deductible. We offer many opportunites for volunteers both at our office and in the communities. From office work to tutoring we match volunteers with their interests.If you would like to volunteer for the International Center or receive information on donating, click here. - Monetary Donations
- In-Kind Donations
- Volunteering
Make a Difference... Any time of the year is a good time to review important financial matters, including your charitable gift commitments for the year. This may be especially true this year when new legislation brought sweeping changes in our nation's tax laws. As a result of these changes, you may find that you now have more resources for personal and charitable use. Maximize Tax Savings... Those who enjoy making charitable gifts may wish to take the time to examine the amount and timing of their gifts in order to maximize their tax savings for this year: Remember, gifts completed by December 31 on a given year will help reduce your tax bill when it comes due the next April. The higher your tax rate, the more your deductions save you. Because tax rates will be falling over the next several years, gifts completed this year may never save you more.
- Cash:
Charitable gifts are most often made in the form of cash and checks. If you itemize your tax deductions, gifts of cash may be deducted in amounts up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.
- Securities:
Giving securities (individual stocks or mutual funds) that have increased in value can bring extra tax savings. Not only are such gifts generally deductible from income tax at their full value if owned for longer than one year, they also allow you to bypass capital gains tax that would otherwise be due on a sale. Gifts of qualified assets are deductible in amounts up to 30% of adjusted gross income.Whether you make your gifts in the form of cash or other property, any unused deductions can be used to reduce your taxes in as many as five future years.If you have investments that have decreased in value since you have owned them, consider selling them and making a deductible gift of the cash proceeds. In this way you create a loss you may be able to deduct from other taxable income along with your cash contribution. The total of the deductible loss and the charitable deduction may actually amount to more than the current value of the investment. If you believe a security may increase in value in the future, you may wish to donate that security and use cash that may otherwise have been used to make your donation to repurchase the same investment, thereby enjoying a new, higher cost basis. Your financial services provider can furnish you with additional information and the forms necessary to complete your gift in a timely manner. We will be pleased to assist upon request.
- Other Gift Options:
Cash and securities are just two of many "pockets" from which you may give. If you over the age of 59, for example, and have traditional retirement accounts, you may wish to make withdrawals sufficient to fund your charitable gifts. You report the income on your tax return and take a corresponding deduction for your gift. This will generally result in a "wash" for tax purposes and allow you to utilize extra retirement funds in a way that assures they will, in effect, never be subject to gift, estate, or income taxes. New tax laws will exempt more estates from taxation over time. If you own life insurance policies that have built up cash value but may no longer be needed for the payment of taxes or for their original purposes, such policies can also make convenient tax-deductible charitable gifts.
- Looking to the Future... Beginning this year, many Americans will find they can leave additional amounts to loved ones free of estate and gift taxes. This may make it possible to include more for charitable interests in your long-range financial plans. As you review your plans in light of tax law changes, you might wish to consider:
- A gift through your will or living trust: After providing for loved ones, you can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or "what's left".
- Beneficiary designations of life insurance and retirement plan proceeds: Consider this in addition to, or as an alternative to, a gift by will.
- Gifts with retained income for you or others: Such gifts can result in increased income along with significant tax savings.
Act Today! As you can see, there are a number of ways you can make meaningful gifts by carefully planning the timing of your gifts and the choice of property you use to fund them. We will be pleased to provide more information to you and/or your advisors as you complete your plans for 2002. Back to Top
Your In-Kind Donations are tax deductible too. We will give you a receipt for the value of the donation. Ask your tax accountant for details of in-kind deductions. Or your donation to International Center may be tax deductible through your church. Examples of in-kind donations: - Old Cars (or New Cars) - They don't need to be pretty, but they must run. By donating your car you may save more with the tax deduction than you would have received by selling the car or trading it in.
- Musical Instruments - Violins, accordians, bass fiddles, guitars, mandolins, banjos, harmonicas
- Linens - Blankets, sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, towels, wash rags
- Underwear - Remember how the Sock Monster gobbles up all socks?
- Bicycles - Repairable bikes welcome! Our Bicycle Bunch program requires the child to repair his/her own bicycle before riding away on it. Nat's Outdoor Sports donated 70 bicyles, the truck to haul them, and bike parts.
- Household Goods - Pots and pans, dishes, glasses, pitchers, clocks, lamps, sewing machines
- Furniture - Sofas, tables, chairs, beds, mattresses, desks, televisions
- School Supplies - Notebooks, pens, pencils, sissors, glue, etc.
- Arts & Crafts Supplies - Paints, canvases, yarn, knitting needles, crochet needles, etc.
Pick Up Service Available! Of course we prefer that you deliver clothes and items that you can carry. However, we will pick up large items if necessary. Call the office at 781-8336 and ask for Marilyn or e-mail Marilyn mfshobe@yahoo.com. Back to Top
We match volunteers with their interests. We are even looking for a volunteer to coordinate and work with our other volunteers. Opportunities for volunteers include: - The Bicycle Bunch - Teach kids to repair their bikes.
- English Tutoring - Teach immigrants and refugees in their homes or assist in the English Classes held at the center. Could be as simple as holding one-on-one conversations with students to allow for additional practice.
- English Testing - Administer oral English exams (BEST Tests) to students enrolled in ESL classes.
- Family Friends - Adopt a refugee family and assist them in their transition by just being a friend! Any serious or complicated concerns are NOT to be handled by Family Friends, but are to be brought to the attention of the family's case-worker. This includes financial, emotional or physical concerns.
- Arts & Crafts - Facilitate a seminar that teaches a specific technique or involves a certain craft. One-time events or ongoing series are welcome. Can be oriented toward children or adults.
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