Guide to Giving - Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Why Give Through BerkshireTaconic Community Foundation?LOCAL EXPERTISEYou can benefit from our in-depth understanding of community needs and the organizations addressing them,derived from current research and long-term experience. We can help you learn about local nonprofits andprograms that make a difference to the issues that you care most about. With a fund at Berkshire Taconic, yourgiving can be more effective and make a greater impact where you live.$100millionPERSONALIZEDGiving back is a highly personal investment in the issues and organizations that matter to you – we can helpyou develop an approach to giving that reflects your personal values, interests and concerns.We offer a variety of charitable funds that enable you to give now or through your estate. A popular andpowerful choice for many BTCF donors is a donor-advised fund, which makes it easy to support nonprofits andschools anywhere you want, any time you want. You can name your fund after your family, honor someone, orhighlight an issue of special concern. You can make giving a part of your legacy, ensuring that your generositywill be felt for many generations. You can involve your family in your tradition of giving back. You can giveanonymously, if you want. We will work with you and your attorney, accountant, or other advisor to ensure thatboth your financial and charitable goals are met.Amount BTCFhas distributedto strengthen ourcommunity inour first 25 yearsFINANCIALLY SMARTBTCF provides powerful financial benefits and expert giving advice to its donors. You receive the mostadvantageous tax benefits available for charitable giving. You benefit from world class investment performanceand the expertise of BTCF's Investment Committee, comprised of seasoned investment professionals who overseea highly diversified portfolio of investments. And you can contribute a variety of assets to your fund, includingcash, appreciated securities, life insurance, real estate, closely held stock and more.EASYYou focus on your giving. We handle all the administrative aspects, including investments, annual tax reporting,due diligence about the organizations you want to support, and making sure your giving complies withcurrent laws and IRS regulations. This makes giving through BTCF a compelling alternative to a privatefoundation. Through our online site for donors (DonorCentral), you can easily track your fund and make grantrecommendations.We are here to help you make a differenceYOU CAN CREATEa lasting impact for our future‘‘Berkshire Taconic’s education enrichment funds have altered thelandscape of opportunity for hundreds of public school children in our region –exposing their minds to rich new ideas and experiences.’’CATHERINE MILLER, DONOR & FOUNDER OF THE EAGLE FUND, SHEFFIELD, MAberkshiretaconic.org 5