CUMBERLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Giving to the Cumberland County Historical Society

Overview

As an I.R.S. approved charitable 501 (c) (3) organization, the Cumberland County Historical Society is legally entitled to seek tax deductible contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Charitable Giving versus Earned Revenue

Some non-profit cultural organizations can financially exist on earned revenues (admissions and gift shop receipts) alone; however, the Cumberland County Historical Society, like many non-profit organizations, must raise essential operating funds from charitable sources.  The earned revenue of the C.C.H.S. accounts for only 20 percent of our total operating income.

Ways to Give to the Cumberland County Historical Society

There are many ways to help insure the Society’s financial viability, as outlined below:

            Membership

Membership is the most basic way to support the Cumberland County Historical Society.  The benefits of membership are described in a separate web page.  Please visit “Membership.”

            Annual Fund

            Annual Fund versus Membership:

A member of the Society might ask the question, “Why does the Society need to ask for charitable contributions above and beyond my regular membership dues?”  The simple answer is:  If the Society relied upon membership dues alone to publish The Patriot newsletter, to conduct Society events and to maintain our historic buildings and collections, the dues would be more than $125 per year, per member.  The Annual Fund campaign is one way for the Society to raise charitable contributions to meet our operating expenses.

Beginning in 2011, and annually thereafter, members, area businesses and others will receive information in the mail about the Cumberland County Historical Society’s Annual Fund.  Of course, the Society welcomes Annual Fund contributions at any time of the year.  Annual Fund contributions are fully tax deductible.  We recommend that you contact your tax advisor for specifics regarding charitable donations.

Estate Planning

The Cumberland County Historical Society encourages Estate Planning contributions.  Simple bequests, gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts are but a few of the vehicles available.  Estate planning gifts can be unrestricted (the Society is granted permission by the donor to use the gift as determined by the Board of Trustees) or restricted (the donor limits the use of the gift to a specific project or where only interest rather than principal is available to the Society).

Endowment

The Endowment is a restricted fund from which the Society uses only the interest and dividends while allowing the investment principal to appreciate over time.  The Cumberland County Historical Society’s Endowment has grown over the years and currently provides about 55 percent of the operating revenue of our organization.

            Management of the Endowment

The Board of Trustees employees a qualified investment firm and professional money managers to insure a solid, conservative return with absolute minimal risk of principal.

Tax Deductibility of Contributions

Contributions to the Cumberland County Historical Society Annual Fund and its Endowment, as well as gifts made through Estate Planning, are all tax deductible to the maximum extent presently allowed by law.  We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor regarding the specifics of tax deductibility.

Matching Gifts

The Cumberland County Historical Society welcomes gifts from a contributor’s employer or other organizations.

More Information

If you would like more information regarding the Annual Fund, Estate Planning contributions, or the Endowment of the Cumberland County Historical Society, please call Linda R. Peck at 856-455-4055.