Ways to Give

We rely on your generosity to change lives.

There are a variety of ways to support Project HOPE, from simple one-time or recurring cash/credit card options to more complex donations like charitable IRA distributions, gifts of stocks and bonds, or beneficiary designations.

We have provided a list of the most common giving options below. Click on the gift type to get additional information. Your financial advisor can provide strategies for charitable giving and explain which of your assets are best used for donations.

We can accept gifts in any amount by cash, credit card, check or money order. The Donate Now button on our website is an immediate and easy way to give using a credit card.

  • Donate online with a credit card using the Donate Now button and choose the option that works best for you: give a one-time gift, set up a monthly donation, or round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar for effortless ongoing support.
  • Make a check or money orders payable to Project HOPE of Eastern Connecticut and mail to P.O. Box 46, Willimantic CT 06226. Gifts can also be delivered in person to our offices.
  • If your gift is in honor or memory of someone, please let us know. We’re happy to send an acknowledgment on your behalf. Simply include the recipient’s name and address with your donation.

An IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD could offer an excellent opportunity to support Project HOPE. The QCD allows individuals age 70½ and older to make direct transfers of up to $105,000 per year from individual retirement accounts to qualified charities. The transfer does not count as income for federal tax purposes and may be counted toward the donor’s required minimum distribution. Please consult with your tax advisor.

We can accept gifts of publicly traded stocks, bonds and other marketable securities.

  • Gifts of appreciated assets qualify for an income tax deduction equivalent to current market value of the asset (as determined by IRS rules and regulations).
  • The date for establishing the gift value is the day the asset enters Project HOPE’s account.
  • There are no capital gains taxes when appreciated assets are transferred.
  • Gifts of marketable securities held at a brokerage can be electronically transferred to us by your financial agent or bank using the DTC automated transfer system.
  • For stocks held in certificate form, please contact Project HOPE to discuss.

A simple way to make a Planned Gift is by including a provision in your will called a bequest. A bequest states that a specific share of your estate will be distributed to our organization for the purpose that you name.

  • You can make a specific bequest, where you bequeath a specific item, a specific dollar amount or a specific percentage of your estate.
  • You can make a residuary bequest, where you bequeath the remainder of your estate to us, after providing for your family and other heirs.
  • You can make a contingency bequest, where you bequeath a gift under certain terms or conditions – for example, only if you outlive your spouse.
  • We recommend that donors consult with their professional advisors on bequests to determine which assets are best given to charity and which are best given to heirs; which provide the best tax advantages; and which type makes the most sense for your financial situation.
  • If you don’t already have a will and want to create one, you can consult with an estate planning attorney to ensure your wishes are legally sound and properly documented, or use online will-making services such as Freewill.

You can name Project HOPE as a beneficiary of all or a percentage of your life insurance. This can be done simply by completing a Beneficiary Change Form from your insurance company.

We can accept gifts of real estate that have a fair market value of $100,000 or more, subject to the review and approval of our Board or related committees. Real estate gifts can be complex and of substantial value.

Please contact Avery Lenhart, Executive Director, to discuss a proposed real estate donation.

We can accept gifts of certain personal property, subject to the review and approval of our Board or related committees. Personal property gifts can be complex and of substantial value. (Most such gifts are deductible only at cost basis.)

Please contact Avery Lenhart, Executive Director, to discuss a proposed personal property donation.

Please discuss charitable giving strategies with your financial advisor to determine which of your assets are best used for donations.