Ways to Give to OCT

Give a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual donation via credit card.  A tax receipt will be emailed to you upon completion of the transaction.

Click here to donate by credit card.

Mail a check to OCT:

Orleans Conservation Trust
203 S Orleans Road
Orleans, MA 02653

If you are 70 1/2 or older you can make a charitable gift directly from your IRA to the Orleans Conservation Trust without incurring federal or state taxes on ordinary income.* Gifts may be up to $100,000 for an individual or $200,000 for a couple who are both 70 1/2 and have separate IRAs. Please remember your gift must made directly from your IRA to the Orleans Conservation Trust, without you taking the disbursement, or it will not qualify for tax exemption.

*If you live outside Massachusetts, please check to see whether your state allows for this tax exemption.

Donating appreciated assets, such as publicly traded stocks or mutual funds, is another easy way to make a gift to OCT.

When you make a gift of appreciated securities, not only do you help OCT but also you could receive a double tax benefit—both a charitable deduction and avoidance of capital gains tax. For this reason, it’s generally a better strategy to give appreciated securities directly to the Trust, rather than selling them and donating the proceeds of the sale. If you own securities that have lost value, you can sell them, take the capital loss deduction, and then make a gift to the Trust.

For instructions on how to give appreciated securities or shares of mutual funds, please call OCT at 508-255-0183, or email us at oct@orleansconservationtrust.org.

OCT's Tax ID (or EIN) is 23-7418072

Through your will or a trust, you can specify that a percentage of your estate be given to the Orleans Conservation Trust, or you can make a gift of a specific amount. Charitable gifts included in wills and living trusts are popular because they are flexible and may be changed throughout your lifetime. Such a gift requires a simple provision prepared by your attorney at the time you make or amend your will or trust.

There is no limit on the deduction from federal gift and estate taxes for charitable gifts made through a will or trust, so no tax will be due on any gifted assets. To plan a charitable bequest to OCT, inform your attorney of your wishes and ask for his or her advice on which method best suits your needs.

A gift through a will or trust also makes you a member of OCT's White Cedar Society.

Assets held in 401(k), 403(b), and IRA plans can be subject to both federal estate and income taxes when they pass to a beneficiary other than a spouse. But naming a charitable organization such as the Orleans Conservation Trust as beneficiary allows these assets to pass to OCT without gift, estate, or income taxes. The full value is transferred.

Speak to your financial advisor or insurance agent about how to change your beneficiary, and how this way of giving could benefit you and your family.

Designating OCT as a beneficiary of a life insurance or retirement plan also makes you a member of OCT's White Cedar Society.

Again and again, people choose to remember a loved one or honor someone special by making a gift in that person’s name to the Orleans Conservation Trust. Perhaps a family member was particularly fond of a certain piece of open space, or loved to take part in our guided walks. Or a friend took an active part in helping to preserve a much-loved place in Orleans.

Whatever the reason, making such a dedicated gift is a way to recognize someone special while helping OCT save beautiful and valuable places for all to enjoy, for all time. The names of the honoree and donor are included in our annual Giving list.

Make a gift online in memory of/in honor of someone, or send a check by mail (tell us whom you are remembering, and if your gift is in honor or in memory).

OCT welcomes gifts of land for conservation as well as gifts of real estate that OCT may re-sell to further our mission. It is critically important that landowners who intend to donate property get in touch with OCT so we can discuss and honor their intentions. Gifts of land for conservation may entail extra tax benefits.

OCT can accept certain forms of cryptocurrency. Please contact our office at 508-255-0183 or oct@orleansconservationtrust.org and we will instruct you on how to make such gifts.