Donation Options
You can support the work of Hospice at Home in your community in a number of ways:
Volunteer
Everything that has been worth doing at Hospice, has been done by a volunteer. Volunteering our time and talents is a uniquely American way of giving back to our community. Volunteering is essential to the financial health of Hospice at Home but also is essential to the spirit of the work we do. Whether engaged in direct family supportive service or helping behind the scenes in doing technical support tasks, committee work, fundraising or governance, volunteers contribute thousands of hours of time. Because volunteering is so critical to our mission, the estimated value is reported in our financial statements.
If you can find the time, usually a few hours each week, our volunteer coordinators can find you a meaningful way to contribute. There is no greater way to give to Hospice.
Honorariums or Memorials
These gifts are incredibly meaningful and affirming expressions of your care and concern. The honorarium is a donation to hospice given in honor of a family member or friend celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other special consideration. A memorial is given to commemorate a lost loved one. Your contribution to hospice is acknowledged by Hospice to the honoree, or to the family of the deceased, informing them of your thoughtfulness and generosity. (The monetary amount is not given.)
Gifts of appreciated Stock or other assets
By donating stock or other appreciable asset such as bonds, antiques, automobiles or homes, instead of cash to Hospice, you can maximize the value of your gift, avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and receive a charitable gift tax deduction.
For example, a stock purchased at $25.00 per share whose value has grown to $50.00 per share that is sold would be taxed on the $25.00 appreciation, decreasing the value significantly. By gifting the stock in kind to Hospice, the Hospice and you would each receive 100% of the value of the appreciated stock. It is an easy transaction that your broker can facilitate. For other types of gifts please contact our foundation professionals who can advise you on making these other tax-deductible gifts.
Gifts in Kind
Much of the tangible assets of the Hospice were gifts in kind by individuals and groups in our community. We have a substantial loan closet of Medical Equipment donated to the Hospice by generous people in our community. Hospital beds, lift chairs, over-bed tables are some examples of items that we frequently need and accept if room in our inventory. Gifts of office equipment, artwork and computers have often been made and help to lower the cost of Hospice care and affirm the contribution of technical support staff and office volunteers. Current needs for items are frequently published in our newsletters. Please call the Hospice to discuss the acceptability of items you may wish to contribute.
Corporate Matching Gifts
Many of our local corporations give generously to support charities in our community, such as Hospice. In the last several years, an increasing number have created matching gift programs as a means of supporting the charities supported by their employees. In some instances, the gift is matched, dollar for dollar, thus doubling your contribution.
Do you work for such a corporate citizen? Check with the Human Resources Department or the owner. It usually requires that you fill out a form from your employer who mails it to us. If they don't provide such a program, perhaps you might suggest that they start one. It is a good way for a company to honor their employees as well as manage their giving.
Endowment Fund
An increasingly popular way to make a lasting gift to our communities is by making a donation to the local community foundations Hospice Endowment Funds. There are additional tax benefits to you as a donor in contributing to these funds as there is a Michigan State tax credit for gifts to the community foundation. Endowment giving helps to perpetuate the Hospice charitable contribution to our local communities for years to come. We have established the Greater South Haven Area Hospice Endowment fund through the Greater South Haven Community Foundation. Please contact our foundation staff for information on taking advantage of this way to make a difference in your community
All gifts to our Hospice Community Foundations provide funding for the care and support of families facing terminal illness and help with the costs of our bereavement and volunteer programs.
To talk personally to a Foundation staff person about additional questions regarding donations please call 1-800-717-3811, or click here to make a secure donation online.
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