The Importance of Donor Gifts

San Mar Children's Home is devoted to providing structure, nurture and opportunity to children and youth in need that they may become productive members of society tomorrow.

Your donation to San Mar Children's Home will be more than a handout or a quick fix. Instead, your gift will support programs and services that encourage positive development, build character, foster self-confidence and self-esteem, and promote the type of independence and self-sufficiency that provide a firm foundation to help troubled children change their lives for the better.

You can make a donation in a number of ways, depending on your personal choice.

San Mar Children's Home appreciates financial gifts, as well as in-kind gifts of supplies and services.While unrestricted financial gifts allow us to use your donation where it is most need, you may also designate your gift for a special purpose or program.

Donations may be made in honor or memory of a loved one.

When you give, you make a difference - one person at a time. Through this website you can learn about the different ways to donate to San Mar Children's Home.

Giving by Mail, Fax or Phone

Leaving a Legacy in Your Will

One of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family is to have an up-to-date will, regardless if your bequest includes San Mar Children's Home.

Without a will you forfeit the legal right to control the disposition of assets accumulated throughout your lifetime.

Every will, however, should be different . . . reflecting the individual needs and the personal objectives of the person making the will.

For some of us, a simple will can accomplish all of our objectives. Others may have needs and objectives that demand a highly complex estate plan.

Because each state may have special requirements for creating a valid will, you should consult with your legal advisor to make sure your will is incompliance with all laws of each states where you may have interests.

To include San Mar Children's Home in your will, there are several types of charitable bequest language you can use.

Sample Bequest Language:

To Bequest a Specific Amount ($) or Percentage (%)

"I bequeath the sum of $_____; (or the percentage of _____%) to San Mar Children's Home, or its successor in interest, to be used in such manner as the Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion, determine. If San Mar Children's Home, or its successor in interest, does not exist at the time of my death, this bequest shall lapse and become a part of the residuary of my estate."

To Make a (unrestricted) Residuary Bequest

This statement would come after the donor's bequests to family or other beneficiaries.

"I give, devise and bequeath to San Mar Children's Home, or its successor in interest, all of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, to be used in such manner as the Board of Directors shall, in its sole discretion, determine. If San Mar Children's Home, or its successor in interest, does not exist at the time of my death, this gift shall lapse and I give, devise and bequeath the rest, residue and remainder of my estate to my heirs at law."

For further information about including San Mar Children's Home in your will contact (or have your attorney contract):

         Daniel Day
         Director of Development and Marketing
         San Mar Children's Home
         8504 Mapleville Road
         Boonsboro, MD 21713
         301.733.9067
         dcday@sanmarhome.org

Giving IRA Income

You can make a gift to San Mar Children's Home with a tax-free distribution from your IRA thanks to a provision in the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

The Act allows you to use IRA distributions as gifts to San Mar Children's Home in 2007 without creating new income to report or taxes to pay.

To qualify for an IRA rollover gift that is federal and state income tax-free:

you must be at least 70 1/2 when you make your gift from a traditional IRA or Roth IRA;
the transfer must come directly from your IRA administrator;
the maximum amount you can transfer each year is $100,000 per year per taxpayer.

If you choose, these gifts from your IRA can even be used to satisfy annual IRA minimum distribution requirements.

Gifts of Stock

Contributing appreciated securities that have been held long-term can be an inexpensive way to support San Mar Children's Home.

Much like cash, gifts of stock are tax deductible at full fair market value if held for a year and a day. The donor is not taxed on long-term capital appreciation.

San Mar Children's Home benefits from the full current value of these gifts, and neither San Mar Children's Home nor you are required to pay capital gains tax.

Shares that pay low dividends, shares you believe have reached their maximum price, or shares you want to eliminate from your portfolio for other reasons are welcome by San Mar Children's Home and make perfect choices for contribution.

Make a gift that pays income back to you.

A Charitable Gift Annuity provides guaranteed fixed income for one or two individuals for life. The annuity rate is based on the age of the beneficiaries when the annuity is funded.

A Charitable Remainder Trust can be established to provide fixed income or the opportunity for income growth over time. It can operate for a term of years or the lifetime of the income beneficiaries. Unlike a gift annuity, it can provide income to more than two income beneficiaries.

Transfer to your heirs at greatly reduced gift and estate tax rates.

Charitable Lead Trusts provide annual payments to the charity of your choice. At the end of the trust term, the assets within the trust pass to your heirs with little or no additional tax due.

In-Kind Gifts

San Mar Children's Home also appreciates gifts of new supplies and service. Here are a few examples

Gift Cards and Certificates
Hygiene Products
Clothes
Twin Sheet (deep) Sets
Magazine Subscriptions
Wash cloths
Towels
Pillows
Suitcases
Backpacks
Office supplies
Arts and crafts supplies

For further information or to discuss your giving plans and ideas, contact:
         Daniel Day
         Director of Development and Marketing
         San Mar Children's Home
         8504 Mapleville Road
         Boonsboro, MD 21713
         301.733.9067
         dcday@sanmarhome.org

Giving to San Mar