Columbus House is a 501c 3 non-profit organization. We receive the majority of our funding through government grants which must be applied for each year. Columbus House must also rely on charitable contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses in order to meet the needs of those who come through our doors.

All financial contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowable under current law. Always consult your tax or legal representative regarding specific questions. We value your trust in us and respect your privacy. Columbus House will not sell, rent or exchange your personal information without your consent.

DONATE ON-LINE

Using our secure on-line donation system, click below to use your credit card. You can make a one-time donation or you may make a recurring monthly donation in order to help us better manage cash flow and ensure that funds are available year-round. Click here to donate »

DONATE BY CHECK

Make checks payable and send your gift to: Columbus House, Inc. PO Box 7093, New Haven, CT 06519 or call 203-401-4400 with your credit card.

Matching gift programs can double or even triple your tax-deductible contribution. Contact your employer's Human Resources Department to find out if such a program is offered. If so, they can provide you with a form to send with your gift. Click here to see the companies that have matched their employees' contribution to Columbus House.

Payroll deduction through your workplace makes giving easy. Support Columbus House through your employer's United Way or Combined Federal Campaigns. Most workplace giving programs provide the option to select a specific charity for your donation so please designate Columbus House when filling out your pledge form.

GIFT OF REMEMBRANCE

A Gift of Remembrance is a way to honor those you hold dear. Gifts may be made in honor of a birthday, anniversary, bah/bat mitzvah, etc. Memorial gifts can be made in the name of a loved one as well. When you make a donation through A Gift of Remembrance, a card recognizing the gift will be sent to the person you select. For information call the Development Department at (203) 401-4400 ext. 116, or email info@columbushouse.org.

LEGACY SOCIETY

Many donors find that the easiest way they can make a substantial future gift to Columbus House is to make a bequest in their will. There are many different kinds of bequests. With each, the entire value of the bequest is eligible for a charitable deduction against their estate taxes. Read about a Columbus House donor who decided to leave a legacy.

Sample Bequest Language
(To leave a specific dollar amount or percentage of the estate)

I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, the sum of $______ (or ___% of my estate; or the property described herein) for its general purposes."

(To leave the remainder of your estate after all other disbursements have been made)

"All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, I give to Columbus House, Inc., a charitable organization located in New Haven, CT, to be used for its general purposes."

As with any financial planning consideration, you should always check with a qualified advisor or estate attorney before making any changes to your current plans. For additional information on how to make a deferred gift to Columbus House, please call John Brooks, Director of Development at (203) 401-4400 ext. 108 or email info@columbushouse.org.

SECURITIES & REAL ESTATE

Popular alternatives to cash are gifts of appreciated property such as marketable securities (stocks and/or bonds) and real estate. These type of gifts can provide even greater tax benefits to you, the donor, than an equivalent gift of cash, especially when the appreciated property being donated has been held long-term (more than a year) and has increased in value over basis (the value at the time the property was acquired by the donor).

LIFE INSURANCE

Most people own some form of life insurance either through their employer or through a personal or family plan. Life insurance is popular because of its unique ability to meet a variety of needs for financial protection. A donor can name Columbus House as the primary or successor beneficiary of a life insurance policy. When the proceeds are paid to Columbus House, the donor's estate may be allowed an estate-tax charitable deduction.

RETIREMENT PLAN PROCEEDS

Another way to leave a significant gift to Columbus House to help secure the future is to name Columbus House as beneficiary to part or all of your retirement plan benefits. This can be done with an IRA, Roth IRA, 401 (k) plan or employer sponsored pension plan.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows you to make a significant donation to Columbus House using retirement plan proceeds. If you are 70 1/2 years of age or older you are required to make annual distributions from your retirement accounts. The distributions are included in your adjusted gross income (AGI), and you must pay taxes on them. The Charitable IRA Rollover permits taxpayers to make donations directly to charitable organizations from their IRAs without counting them as part of their AGI and, consequently, without paying taxes on them. Charitable gifts up to $100,000 may be made under this provision for tax year 2006 and year 2007.

There is pending legislation that could extend the Pension Protection Act of 2006 into 2008 and beyond.

NOTE: The extension of this benefit is still pending. Please check with a qualified financial professional or the IRS before making any withdrawals or contributions using your 2008 retirement plan benefits.

For more information on the deductibility of charitable contributions for tax year 2007, please go to the IRS web site http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

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