Six Alternative Ways to Give

James Parsons   Website

Author: Claire Cekander  |  Updated:  November 22, 2022  |  Category: How-To 

Eastern Oregon is home to extraordinarily intact sagebrush steppe, rushing waters that support abundant wildlife, a night sky studded with endless stars, extensive flocks of migrating birds, and rocky vistas that stretch out for miles and miles. There are dozens more wonders that draw us to the desert and even more ways to support our conservation work.

Here we highlight six alternative ways to donate beyond the checkbook to preserve the environment you love.

With creativity and generosity, places like the Owyhee Canyonlands, Sutton Mountain, hundreds of miles of desert streams, and numerous populations of sage-grouse, native trout, pronghorn antelope, and more can gain and sustain the protection they so richly deserve.

voices

Taylor Goforth, Sage Sustainers member

Taylor Goforth, Sage Sustainers member

“I support ONDA on a monthly basis as a way I can keep in touch with the root of my conservation ethic and allow for their strong advocacy work to keep going. I count on them!”

voices

Aaron Tani, Sage Society Member

Aaron Tani, Sage Society Member

“It feels good to support ONDA on a monthly basis, because I know they never stop supporting our public lands. ONDA works to help make our lands a better place for the future, and I feel like I’m a part of that every month with my support.”

voices

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

Elisa Cheng, member since 2013

“ONDA stewardship trips inspire me. I get to learn new things and see new places, and in the process perform important work that improves the wildlife habitat.”

1. Claim a match from your employer

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please ask your employer. The impact of your gift to ONDA could be doubled or even tripled.

2. Make an IRA Distribution

This one’s for all ONDA supporters age 73 or older. At this age, you must begin taking required minimum distributions if you have a traditional IRA, even if you don’t want or need the money. Instead of taking a disbursement and paying taxes on these funds, a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA is worth considering. To realize the tax savings, funds must be directly transferred from the IRA custodian to ONDA, an eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

3. Make a monthly gift via bank transfer

You’ve probably heard of monthly giving and know setting up a monthly gift is one of the best ways to sustain high desert conservation year-round. But did you know setting up or converting your monthly gift to a bank transfer means you never have to worry about credit card expiration dates and you avoid processing fees? Selecting “eCheck” on our donation form will provide all the prompts. Or, go to ONDA.org/givemonthly.

4. Make a Legacy Gift

Legacy gifts are about planning for the future – your future and the future of Oregon’s wild desert lands, waterways and wildlife. Leaving a legacy for Oregon’s desert wildlands is surprisingly simple and accessible to most people. Learn about including ONDA in your will or naming ONDA as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account. Already included ONDA in your estate plans? Let us know so we can thank you! 

5. Donate stock

Giving appreciated stock to Oregon Natural Desert Association is a relatively simple process with some advantages over giving cash. Your gift avoids capital gains tax, and you gain a charitable deduction. And, you may be able to make a larger gift in support of critical high desert conservation needs than you ever thought possible. ONDA has an account ready to receive your donation of stock, and our staff is available to help or you can receive our account information by filling out our stock giving interest form.

6. Give through a donor-advised fund

Recommending a donation to ONDA through your donor-advised fund is a simple, convenient way to support high desert conservation. If your fund is hosted by Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable or BNY Mellon you can begin the recommendation process right from our website. And, we accept donations from all donor-advised funds, including Oregon Community Foundation, so you can also go through your institution’s regular grant-making process to recommend a contribution to ONDA. Questions about giving via a donor-advised fund? ONDA is available to assist with the process.

 

Thank you for all you do to care for and conserve Oregon high desert. Because of you, Oregon’s high desert is wild, vibrant, and brimming with opportunities to inspire and explore, now and always.

Michelle Alvarado   Website

Chris Christie

Greg Burke