“The history of Sacramento is important,
and people of Sacramento should be invested,
if not because of that, then simply because it is their community and thus their history.”
Burnett Miller, Board Member
Sacramento History Foundation
Ways to Give
The Sacramento History Foundation is the nonprofit tax-exempt fundraising arm of the Center for Sacramento History. The foundation welcomes gifts of any amount by providing a variety of ways to give. In many cases you may want to consider consulting with your tax advisor or attorney before deciding on a gift that best matches your charitable goals. Listed below are some of the many ways you can support the Center for Sacramento History with your generous gift to the Sacramento History Foundation. Should you have any questions please feel free to Contact Us for further assistance. We are always happy to talk to our supporters.
Gifts to the Annual Fund
The Annual Fund is a crucial part of the foundation’s fund-raising program and seeks to increase annual giving to provide support for the Center for Sacramento History. In practical terms the Annual Fund can be thought of as the foundation’s checking account (money to be used in the current year for expenses). We count on your support to help us reach our annual giving goals and to significantly increase participation from the community. Your gift will be put to immediate use funding the foundation’s operating expenses in an effort to reach more supporters.
Gifts to the James E. Henley Endowment
Named in honor of emeritus City Historian Jim Henley, the James E. Henley Endowment is dedicated to providing paid internships for students to engage with professional staff and gain hands on experience working with a wide range of historical collections. Building the endowment is a critical factor in achieving long term support for the Center for Sacramento History. Currently, the Henley Endowment is insufficient to meet the needs and ambitions of the Center. If you know Jim, you know his passion for supporting the region’s history. Please take a minute to honor his work by making a gift to the Henley Endowment.
Gifts in Honor
Please consider making a gift to the Sacramento History Foundation to mark an important event in someone’s life. Give a gift to honor those close to you celebrating a birthday, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, an anniversary, a wedding, the birth of a baby, or other special occasion. We will send a personalized card acknowledging your thoughtful donation in the name of the recipient you select, in addition to sending you an acknowledgement suitable for tax purposes. The foundation is happy to designate your gift in celebration of any special occasion. Simply include this information when making your gift.
Gifts in Memory
Many people choose to celebrate the memory of a loved one by giving to the Sacramento History Foundation. A gift to the Sacramento History Foundation is a lasting tribute that lives on. In lieu of flowers, consider remembering someone special by making a gift in their memory. We will recognize your gift in your loved one’s name on our in memoriam wall at the Center.
Gifts of Securities
A gift of appreciated securities provides increased value to the Sacramento History Foundation at a decreased cost to you. If you have owned securities for at least a year and a day, you may deduct the current fair market value of securities given to the foundation and at the same time avoid capital gains taxes. By using appreciated securities to do some of your giving, you can conserve cash for other uses. For security reasons, we do not publish our brokerage account information online. If you are interested in making a gift of appreciated securities please Contact Us.
Gifts of Life Insurance
If time has diminished or alleviated your need for life insurance, naming the Sacramento History Foundation as a beneficiary of all, or a percentage of, your existing life insurance policy is an easy way to make a gift and establish your legacy. To name the foundation as a beneficiary of your existing life insurance policy, ask your life insurance company for a change of beneficiary form and simply name the Sacramento History Foundation as your primary or contingent beneficiary.
Gifts through Wills and Trusts
Including the Sacramento History Foundation in your will or living trust is one of the easiest ways to make an important difference in the future of the foundation. It is generally as simple as adding a brief statement to your estate documents. (Often you can just add a codicil to an existing document.) While this type of gift creates no immediate tax benefits, it will be completely tax deductible for estate tax purposes. The following are two ways that you can name the foundation as a beneficiary in your will.
Percentage Gift - Name the foundation as a percentage beneficiary in your will.
- Example: “I hereby give, devise and bequeath an amount equal to _____% (_________ percent) of the total value of my estate to the Sacramento History Foundation located at 551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95811.”
Specific Gift - Name the foundation as beneficiary of a specific monetary amount or securities from your estate.
- Example: “I hereby give, devise and bequeath, the sum of __________ dollars (or describe the specific securities, to the Sacramento History Foundation located at 551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95811 .”
Many people use a trust as part of their estate plan. While your attorney is responsible for the legal aspects of your trust, naming the Sacramento History Foundation as a beneficiary can easily be done. The following are options for naming the foundation as a beneficiary of your trust estate.
Percentage Gift - Name the Sacramento History Foundation as a percentage beneficiary of your trust estate.
Specific Gift - Name the Sacramento History Foundation as beneficiary of a specific monetary amount or securities from your trust estate.
Vehicle Donations
Donating your used car, truck, boat, trailer, RV motor home, Jet Ski, motorcycle or even your used snowmobile is a great way to help the Sacramento History Foundation. Save yourself the hassle of selling your vehicle and receive a charitable tax deduction. Our contracted processing company, Car Program LLC, will arrange to pick up your vehicle, and provide you with a receipt for tax purposes. Find answers to common vehicle donation questions on Car Program’s Frequently Asked Questions page. You may reach Car Program by calling them toll-free, seven days a week at 1-800-240-0160.
1849 Society
Named in honor of the City’s founding year, the 1849 Society recognizes gifts of $1000.00 or more made to the Sacramento History Foundation. We respect those wishing to remain anonymous.
