Salem's Riverfront
Carousel

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Gift Giving Ideas

Salem’s Riverfront Carousel is dependent upon contributions from people like you to make the carousel affordable for all families while supporting our ongoing community events and horse restoration project. 

The carousel began as the dream of one woman, who inspired an entire community to create a work of art that will stand as a symbol of volunteerism and cooperation for generations to come.  You can help us keep this dream alive. 

Please make your donation today!
   

There are many different ways to make a financial contribution to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel.  Depending upon the type of gift, there are different tax and estate planning implications. 
Some donations take place in the present form (e.g. gifts of cash, securities, real estate) while other donations (e.g. wills, life insurance, life income gifts) typically fall into the category of planned gifts.   

To learn more information about how to support Salem’s Riverfront Carousel please contact Marie Bradford at 503-540-0374 ext 302 or marieb@salemcarousel.org.

Gift Ideas:

Gifts of Cash
Cash contributions are deductible as an itemized deduction in the year you make the donation, up to a total of 50% of your adjusted gross income.  Excess charitable deductions can be carried forward for up to five additional years.

Gifts of Securities
The best stocks to donate are those that have increased in value, particularly those producing a low yield.  In order to preserve tax advantages, it is critical that you transfer the physical securities to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel rather than the proceeds from a sale.

Appreciated Securities
If you donate appreciated stock that you’ve held for more than one year, you pay no capital gains tax on the transaction and are entitled to a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock.  (Your income tax deduction is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.  Any excess can be carried forward for five additional years.)  If you wish to continue investing in a specific stock, you could donate the stock to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel and then use cash to purchase shares with the same company, thus increasing your cost basis to current fair market value.

Depreciated Securities
If you have stock losses, generally you should not contribute the stock, but rather sell the stock yourself to realize the loss for tax purposes.  You can then contribute the cash to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel and take a charitable deduction.
 
Mutual Funds
A charitable contribution of mutual fund shares can provide the same tax advantages as a gift of appreciated stock.  Due to the complexities involved in the transfer of mutual fund shares, we encourage you to begin the process well before December 31.

Gifts of Real Estate
If you own property that is not subject to a mortgage and has appreciated in value, a charitable gift may be an attractive option.  You can claim an income tax deduction based on the fair market value of the property, avoid all capital gains taxes and remove that asset from your taxable estate.  Or, you can transfer your home, farm or vacation rental to Salem’s Riverfront Carousel now and continue to use the property for the rest of your life.  Due to the complexities involved, we encourage you to contact us to discuss any gift of real estate.

All of us who donate our time, talent, and energy to keep the Carousel dream alive have given a tremendous gift.  But did you know that anyone can leave a lasting gift to the Carousel?  There are many ways to leave a gift, but the most common is through a will.

For more information about these and other ways you can leave a lasting legacy for Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, please contact Marie Bradford, Executive Director at
503-540-0374, ext 302 or marieb@salemcarousel.org.