Cause-Related Marketing

Many organizations and individuals choose to set aside a portion of the proceeds of a certain product or service to charity in a practice known as cause marketing or cause-related marketing. Cause marketing campaigns may range from a single annual donation by an organization, to a percentage of the sale price of a company product line, to net proceeds from a limited-edition product by an individual engaging their fan base for a good cause. 

Donor-Advised Funds

A donor-advised fund is a fund commonly held at a community foundation that distributes funds to other charities, such as Friends. You can open one with a written agreement between you and the organization that gives you (or other family members) the right to recommend that the distributions (i.e. grants) be made from your fund to Friends. One caveat: you cannot direct distributions. You have the right only to make recommendations regarding how much, how often, and to which charities. Most donor-advised funds will follow your advice if it is consistent with the fund's objectives and the selected charities are qualified charities.

IRA Charitable Rollover

Friends who are 70.5 years old and older- you can give any amount (up to a maximum of $108,000) this year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity like Friends of the Chicago River, without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value of $108,000 or less are eligible for the benefit. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, or QCD for short. You must be 70.5 years old on the date of your gift. Your contribution will have a direct and prompt impact on Friends' work. Please contact Friends' Director of Development, Annie Hanrahan, with any questions about giving this year, at ahanrahan@chicagoriver.org.

Long-term Appreciated Securities

Maximize your contribution and minimize the cost to you with a gift of long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds. You can take an income tax deduction for the full market value and avoid capital gains taxes. Contact Friends at ahanarahan@chicagoriver.org for more information. 

Matching Gifts

In addition, some companies are involved in matching gift programs. Ask your workplace if they participate in these programs and help facilitate the donation of additional funds to protect and improve our amazing river. 

Vehicle Donation- Cars and Boats

Donating a car or a boat is a substantial gift and may even qualify for a tax deduction! As you clear out the garage, driveway, or boat dock, we'll use the proceeds from the sale of your car or boat to continue our programs, such as the Chicago River Schools Network or native habitat restoration. Our nonprofit partner who will administer your donation is Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS); they will also benefit from your donation. Contact Friends at friends@chicagoriver.org to learn more about the process, or visit here to start your car or boat donation. 

Workplace Giving

An easy and effective way to support Friends is by giving through your workplace. EarthShare Illinois represents Friends and dozens of other charities in workplace giving payroll contribution campaigns in Illinois. Here's how it works: Through EarthShare Illinois, you can contribute a small amount from each paycheck to help support Friends' important work to make the river healthier and cleaner.

To learn more about how your employer can host a campaign or how EarthShare Illinois can be added to an existing campaign, please contact EarthShare Illinois by visiting www.earthshare-illinois.org. EarthShare Illinois also offers resources to help with CSR and greening businesses.

If you have any questions about the above, please contact Friends at friends@chicagoriver.org, or at (312) 939-0490, ext. 10.

All contributions to Friends are fully tax-deductible unless goods or services were provided. Friends of the Chicago River is a 501 (c)(3) organization as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Our Federal Tax ID is 36-3559764.