Ways To Give

There are several ways you can choose to support the mission of Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation. All donations are graciously accepted, are tax-deductible, can be given in any amount, and can take the form of the following.

You can give by mailing a check payable to "Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation" to:

Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation
420 West High Street
Dowagiac, MI 49047

Please note the designation of your gift in the memo of the check.

Call (269) 226-8100 to make a credit/debit card gift by phone.

If you are older than 71 1/2 years and required to take distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you can direct all or part of that distribution to be made directly to the Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation as a charitable gift. Simply instruct your financial institution to remit a check payable to the Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation (annotated with the specific fund or designation you would like to support). IRA charitable distributions are made tax-free and still count towards your required minimum distribution (RMD).

Gifts of cash

Cash gifts can be made with cash, check or via credit card or automatic bank withdrawal. You can mail your gift, make it in person in our offices, or use our secure online giving form.

Gifts of cash can also be deferred until you or your loved ones pass away by naming the Foundation as the recipient of a bequest in your will or estate plans or by designating a bank or retirement account to be payable to the Foundation upon death. You can also use gifts of cash to fund a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, or a charitable lead trust.

If you itemize your federal taxes, your gift of cash may provide a benefit through a charitable tax deduction.

Gifts of appreciated securities

You can make a gift of closely held appreciated securities. You may directly transfer securities or mutual funds that have appreciated in value and that you've held for at least a year. To transfer securities, simply instruct your broker to transfer the securities to the Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation (if you have the physical securities, contact us so we can help you handle the transfer). You can also leave gifts of securities through transfer orders upon your passing, through a will or other estate plans, and can also be used to fund a charitable trust.

Direct gifts of securities may help you reduce or avoid capital gains taxes on the transfer and possible income tax savings through a charitable deduction. Securities are also commonly used to fund charitable lead trusts, which could result in a tax-free transfer to your loved ones after you pass.

Gifts-in-kind

A gift-in-kind is a gift of personal, tangible property that is made use of for charitable purposes by the Ascension Borgess-Lee Foundation. Gift-in-kind may be usable items or equipment or may be valuable items that can be converted into funding for critical needs. If you have items you are considering donating, please contact the Foundation so we can work with you on maximizing your impact.