Ways to Give

All gifts to the Laboratory make our important work possible, no matter the type. We gratefully accept:

• Cash Gifts
• Stock
• Gifts of Personal Property
• Planned Gifts
• Charitable IRA Rollovers

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation, with tax ID #01-6006001. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Gifts by Cash, Check, or Credit Card

The majority of charitable contributions to Bigelow Laboratory are in the form of cash, usually by check, and are deductible for federal income tax purposes. You can give a cash gift in the following ways:

• Credit Card: Make a secure online donation.
• By Phone: (207) 315-2567 ext. 106
• By Mail: Send a check payable to Bigelow Laboratory to:
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Attn: Advancement Office
60 Bigelow Dr
East Boothbay, ME 04544

Gifts of Stock

You can help the Laboratory and save as well. Donate appreciated securities and avoid capital gains tax. You receive credit for your donation and an immediate income tax reduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them.

To obtain delivery instructions for making gifts of stock, please contact the Advancement Office at dwilson@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112. Our bank requires that we confirm stock gifts within 24 hours of delivery, so please call or email with the details of your donation.

Gifts of Personal Property

When you donate your valuable tangible personal property, such as a boat, vehicle, or real estate, you can receive a charitable deduction based on a fair appraisal and reduce or eliminate capital gains tax. All gifts are subject to the provisions outlined in our Gift Acceptance Policy.

Boat donations: We work with Block Island Maritime Funding to arrange donations of boats and subsequent sale with proceeds going to Bigelow Laboratory’s Annual Fund, supporting operations, outreach, and education programs. Block Island Maritime Funding is a non-profit corporation that promotes Boat Donation Programs at a variety of New England organizations. For more information, please contact dwilson@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112.

Charitable IRA Rollover

The Charitable IRA Rollover allows individuals over age 70½ to directly transfer up to $100,000 per year from an IRA account to Bigelow Laboratory, without incurring income or estate tax on the withdrawal. (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015)

This is good news for people who want to make a charitable gift during their lifetime from their retirement assets, but have been discouraged from doing so because of the income tax penalty.

The Charitable IRA Rollover is now a permanent provision. It was signed into law in December 2015.

Taxpayers must contact their IRA administrators if they intend to take advantage of the tax-free distribution. IRA administrators may require several weeks to process rollovers.

Planned Giving

A planned gift to Bigelow Laboratory enables you to make a substantial donation in your name that will endure forever and support the mission of ocean discovery and science education.

Whether you choose to name us in your will, designate the Laboratory as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, or donate a life insurance policy you no longer need, leaving a lasting legacy is easy and helps you to realize significant financial and tax benefits. Read more about gift planning options here. Contact Jennifer Cutshall at jcutshall@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112 for more information.

Please note that Bigelow Laboratory cannot render tax or legal advice and we urge you to consult with your professional advisor about your situation before making a charitable gift.