Through your donations, West Marin Senior Services is able to respond to the needs of seniors in our community quickly and effectively.  Whatever the needs may be, West Marin Senior Services staff are available to provide resources, compassion and respect to help seniors stay at home.  Our services are provided free of charge and rely on the generosity of donors such as yourself….and we are very grateful!

  Quality care and comprehensive case management services are offered to neighbors in need regardless of their ability to pay.  Whether it be the need for a friendly visitor, daily meals, temporary home healthcare equipment, or daily in-home care – West Marin Senior Services is there to make sure the services are provided.  And should the day come when a neighbor is no longer able to remain in his/her own home, Stockstill House assisted living is here to provide a “home away from home”.   Every year more than 680 seniors and people with disabilities benefit from the programs of West Marin Senior Services.  Lives are made better and outlooks brighter by the care and support provided.  Many seniors and disabled adults are living full and happy lives in their own homes today due to the direct support they have received from our volunteers and caseworkers.    This broad range of care available in our community depends on donations from our neighbors.  Make a gift today to support the work of West Marin Senior Services, we cannot do it without you!  For gift planning assistance, please contact Executive Director, Joan Corbett at 415-663-8148 or jcorbett@wmss.org    

TYPES OF SUPPORT:  

Cash

Cash may be donated in the form of checks or cashiers check. Cash gifts begin working for West Marin Senior Services immediately! Please make your check payable to “WMSS” or “West Marin Senior Services”
 
Endowment Funds  
In addition to it’s annual operating needs, West Marin Senior Services seeks support for its endowment.  An endowment is a pool of money invested for long-term growth and income.  Earnings from the endowment support the general operating budget or designated specific programs.  The principal in an endowment is permanently restricted and generates annual income for the organization in perpetuity.  

West Marin Senior Services has one general endowment fund which is managed by the Marin Community Foundation.
 

 Bequest
 Your thoughtful Will should be the cornerstone of your estate plan.  A Will gives form and substance to your concern for the future of your family and other beneficiaries.   It’s easy to provide unrestricted and designated gifts for West Marin Senior Services in your Will through a bequest.  You can choose to leave a dollar amount or a percentage of your estate to West Marin Senior Services for senior supportive services, endowment funds or where the need is the greatest at the time.  Here is typical language for remembering West Marin Senior Services in your Will or Living Trust. Use in consultation with your attorney.   I devise and bequeath to West Marin Senior Services (tax I.D. 51-0192320), located in Point Reyes Station, California, the sum of ____ dollars ($____) OR ____ percent (____%) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate OR the following described property: ____located at (address):____   Thank you for remembering West Marin Senior Services when you create your legacy of giving. 

Memorial Gifts
To remember someone special in your life, please consider a gift in memory of a dear loved one or friend. Families and friends wishing to make gifts in memory of beloved family members or close friends may send gifts so noted to West Marin Senior Services. All memorial gifts are listed in the Annual Report. 
 
Gift in Honor
To honor someone special in your life, please consider a gift in honor of a special family member or friend. All gifts donated in honor of a special person in your life will be listed in the Annual Report.  

Life Insurance  
Perhaps you own a life insurance policy and really don’t need the benefits anymore. Did you know you can name West Marin Senior Services as the beneficiary of your insurance policy?
                
Gifting an old or new whole life insurance policy with West Marin Senior Services as the beneficiary and owner offers you an immediate tax deduction for the premiums paid or the cash value of the policy at time of transfer, whichever is less. Gifts of insurance, like all other charitable gifts, pass to West Marin Senior Services free of estate tax. 
    
Charitable Gift Annuity  
A Charitable Gift Annuity is a simple agreement which provides you with a fixed, guaranteed, life-time stream of income in exchange for a gift of cash or securities. You would also receive an immediate income tax deduction. By meeting some of a donor's financial needs, gift annuities make it possible for some people to make larger gifts to West Marin Senior Services than they otherwise could.  

Charitable Gift Annuities are ideal for retirees
…Retirees often are interested in having an “income they cannot outlive” – which is just what a Charitable Gift Annuity offers.  Charitable Gift Annuities offer a safe way to “dip into principal” and improve one’s living standards while benefiting a beloved charity such as West Marin Senior Services.   A local California community foundation backs the annuity payments with the full faith and credit of a multi-million dollar organization.  Rates follow the recommendations of the American Council on Gift Annuities and are subject to change. The minimum gift is $25,000 and the minimum donor age is typically 65.   We would be happy to provide you with a personalized illustration of the benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity for you, a friend, or any family member you wish to benefit. 

 GIFTS OF SECURITIES

Stocks
Stock may be transferred to West Marin Senior Services by your broker. We can assist you with this type of gift, whether your stocks have appreciated or depreciated in value. Gifts of stock often generate tax savings and the avoidance of capital gains. Usually it’s better for the donor not to sell the stock but to transfer the stock as is to West Marin Senior Services. To retain the most benefit from your gift, please contact us before making any decisions.

Bonds
Bonds may be transferred to West Marin Senior Services by your broker. We can assist you with this type of gift. Gifts of bonds often generate tax savings and the avoidance of capital gains. Usually it is better for the donor not to sell bonds but to transfer them as is to West Marin Senior Services. To retain the most benefit from your gift, please contact us before making any decisions.  

Mutual Funds
Mutual Funds may be transferred to West Marin Senior Services by your broker. We can assist you with this type of gift. Mutual Funds often generate tax savings and the avoidance of capital gains. Usually it’s better for the donor not to sell mutual funds but to transfer them as is to West Marin Senior Services. To retain the most benefit from your gift, please contact us before making any decisions.  

Real Estate & Property

You can give land, personal property, a vacation home, or rental property to West Marin Senior Services. These types of gifts require careful planning and we would be delighted to assist you with these special types of gifts. You may donate your home but retain the right to live in it and receive numerous benefits. You may also donate revenue from a business but retain the ownership. These gifts often generate tremendous tax savings and the avoidance of capital gains. To retain the most benefit from your gift, please contact us before making any decisions.

Donation from an IRA
On October 3, 2008 the US congress and President Bush reenacting the Pension Protection Act of 2006.  This new act, effective October 3, 2008 to December 31, 2009 enables individuals age 70 or over to donate assets from Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA’s) directly to charities without generating taxable income to the donor.  Gifts may be designated for unrestricted annual funds, endowed funds, or capital project funds.  The IRA based gifts may not be used to fund deferred planned gifts such as charitable gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts.  It is important to note that donors must have their IRA funds sent directly to West Marin Senior Services by your IRA broker.  IRA withdrawals to the donor (even if he or she donates the withdrawal to charity) will trigger taxable income.  For more questions concerning ways to take advantage of this law, please consult with a financial advisor or tax accountant. 

 
Matching Gifts
Corporations sometimes match the donations of their employees. Check with yours and request an employee matching gift form. This doubles each gift you make!