Make a Donation
 


Make a Donation Now

Donating online is easy and safe!
You can make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card or e-check using Paypal's secure server. Also be sure to check out our Gift Shop, Adopt-A-Lion, and Membership sections for other great ways to donate!

Sign up for automatic monthly donations
You can sign up online with Paypal to make recurring monthly donations with your credit card or bank account. Just choose your monthly donation amount below to get started:
$ /month

Donate by telephone:
If you prefer, you can call in your credit card donation at 916-442-2666 ext. 100.

Donate by mail:
Send your contribution to: Mountain Lion Foundation, P.O. Box 1896, Sacramento, California 95812.

Donate in memory or honor of someone
Donating in memory or honor of someone is a great way to celebrate a special occasion or remember a loved one. We will send acknowledgement of your gift to the honoree or family member.

Donate your car

Vehicle Donation Click here
Workplace Giving

Many workplaces offer the opportunity to make donations through simple and painless payroll deductions.

The Mountain Lion Foundation is a member of Earth Share of California. If your workplace offers Earth Share, please specify the "Mountain Lion Foundation" as the recipient of your support.

If your workplace does not offer Earth Share, simply write "Mountain Lion Foundation" on your United Way or other campaign payroll deduction form.  

Ask if your employer matches your contribution! If they do match, remember to follow your organization's matching gift process.
Create a Legacy for Lions with your planned giving

Planned giving is any kind of gift that requires planning and, perhaps, assistance. Usually, it provides some tax or income benefits for the donor or heirs. Always, it provides a way to stretch your time on earth by leaving a legacy that benefits the things you care about.

Planned giving can be an important part of your financial plan. You can realize significant benefits while taking pride in having helped protect the mountain lion.

Benefits from planned giving can include:
  • Income and tax savings
  • Regular payments of income
  • Ease in giving
  • Being a good role model for your heirs
  • Solving potential family disputes over property
  • Satisfaction that your dreams will not die with you
Gifts of stocks or mutual funds

A gift of stocks or mutual funds will provide support for the Mountain Lion Foundation's educational programs and offer you financial benefits as well.

Publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) may be transferred to the Mountain Lion Foundation, entitling you to an income tax deduction for the full market value of the securities. With a gift of securities to the Mountain Lion Foundation, you may avoid any capital gains taxes. Gifts of appreciated securities that pay little or no dividends make especially good choices for donations.

Your broker or banker will supply this information in connection with a donation to the Mountain Lion Foundation.
Your Will or Trust

As part of your will, make a gift to the Mountain Lion Foundation to assist in protecting these magnificent creatures. We will, in turn, put the funds to work creating policies that preserve the lives of mountain lions and protect their wild habitat.

In writing or updating your will, you can designate the Mountain Lion Foundation as a beneficiary and stipulate that the amount be used to support the organizations general operation or earmarked for a specific program.

There are several ways to make a bequest through your will or trust:
  • An explicit bequest of an amount of money or specific property
  • A percentage bequest listing the percentage of your estate you wish to leave
  • A residual bequest for the remainder of your estate or a percentage of the remainder after you have made your specific bequests
  • A contingent bequest naming the Mountain Lion Foundation as the recipient should another beneficiary not survive you

Perhaps you want to provide an income for your spouse or another survivor for life, then have the principal go to the Mountain Lion Foundation. This is called a Charitable Remainder trust.

Suggested Language
"The Mountain Lion Foundation is a tax exempt organization under the federal and California tax code and is located at 926 J Street, Suite 803, Sacramento California 95814 (mailing address: Box 1896, Sacramento, CA 95812). I give and bequeath the Mountain Lion Foundation        (an amount or percentage of the estate)    "

Charitable bequests are excluded from your adjusted gross estate for estate tax purposes. The Mountain Lion Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our federal tax identification number is 94-3015360.

Legal Guidance
Because of the complexity of estate planning, it is important your attorney structures your estate and writes your will or trust so your wishes are clearly stated.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust is an irrevocable trust designed to convert an investor's appreciated assets into a lifetime income stream, for yourself, your spouse or family members, without generating estate and capital gains taxes. Charitable Remainder Trusts have become very popular in recent years because they represent a valuable tax-advantaged investment.

A Charitable Remainder Trust can potentially:
  • Eliminate immediate capital gains taxes on the sale of appreciated assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate and just about any other asset.
  • Reduce estate taxes of up to 55% that your heirs might have to pay upon your death.
  • Reduce current income taxes with a sizable income tax deduction.
  • Increase your spendable income throughout the rest of your life.
  • Create a significant gift benefiting others for years to come
  • Avoid probate and maximize the assets your family will receive after your death.
Life Insurance Gifts

Naming the Mountain Lion Foundation as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy is a simple way to protect mountain lions for years to come.

You can name the Mountain Lion Foundation as the primary beneficiary of your life insurance policy or as contingent beneficiary should your other beneficiaries not survive you. After your lifetime, the benefits from your policy pass to us free of federal estate tax.

Changing or adding beneficiaries is simple. Contact your insurance carrier and request a beneficiary form.
Retirement Plan Gifts

Although your retirement plan is for your use during retirement, it is recommended that you name beneficiaries in the event you pass away with funds still in your account. Along with family and friends, non-profit organizations may also be named as the beneficiary.

Most retirement plans are income tax-deferred, no income tax was paid on the funds when they were contributed to the plan or on the growth of the assets within the fund. Income taxes must be paid when the funds are distributed either by you or by your beneficiaries.

Retirement fund assets can be great charitable gifts because of the tax implications to your non-charitable beneficiaries. Most retirement plans are income tax-deferred, meaning you do not pay income tax on the funds contributed to your plan or on the growth of the assets within the fund. However, you are responsible for paying the tax when the funds are distributed. Your beneficiary(ies) are also required to pay the income tax that has not been paid.

The Mountain Lion Foundation is tax-exempt and not liable for the unpaid taxes. If you name the Mountain Lion Foundation as a beneficiary of your retirement plan, the full amount of your gift will be used for Saving America's Lion.
Legal Designation

The Mountain Lion Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our federal tax identification number is 94-3015360.

The information on this site is for educational purposes. For legal, tax or investment advice, please consult an attorney, tax professional or investment professional.