Join a community committed to conservation. Your contribution makes a holistic approach to land use, land management and land conservation possible. Together, we’ve helped to permanently protect more than 430,000 acres, strengthen conservation initiatives and legislation in Richmond and Washington, and maintain a communications network that empowers thousands to make their voice heard at the local, state and federal level, on a broad range of issues.
Membership is just $40 annually. To become a PEC member, make a secure, tax-deductible donation online using the Join or Renew option.
Already a member? Consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor or giving an additional one-time gift to help further strengthen conservation efforts across the region. You might also give a PEC membership to a friend or loved one. Contributors to the Piedmont Foundation who donate $100 or more annually have the option to be listed in PEC’s annual report.
To donate by check, including IRA/QCD transfers, please make it out to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to PO Box 460, Warrenton VA, 20188. If you’d like your contribution to be restricted to a specific program area, please specify in the memo line or in an accompanying note.
To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact Kendra Atkins at 540.347.2334 ext. 7005.
Membership is just $40 annually. PEC members receive membership exclusives – special member event invitations, our curated Piedmont View newsletter mailed to you quarterly and more.
Already a member? Gifting a PEC membership to a friend or loved one is a heartwarming gesture. Please be sure to provide your recipient’s contact information so they can enjoy all of their membership benefits.
If you would like to mail your gift, please make your check to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kendra Atkins at [email protected] or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005 with any questions or to make a gift of membership over the phone. With an annual tax-deductible donation of $100 or more, you or your recipient can choose to be listed in our annual report.
Gift of Cash
If you want to help The Piedmont Environmental Council today and maximize your charitable deduction, consider making your gift with cash. Cash is the simplest asset to donate, and also the easiest for us to accept and quickly put to good use.
Make your cash gift online, via a check or money order, PayPal, a credit card or a wire transfer. Mailed donations can be sent directly to PO Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188.
Wire Transfer
The Piedmont Environmental Council accepts donations via ACH and wire transfer. Account#: 1470021464503 Routing/ABA#: 051404260. Please follow up on an ACH by contacting Kendra Atkins at [email protected] or 540.347.2334 ext. 7005 so that we know who has donated!
Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
PEC is happy to accept contributions from donor-advised funds. These funds are created with a financial institution and allow the donor to receive an immediate charitable tax deduction when the fund is established. Subsequent contributions to qualified charities can then be made from this fund.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from your IRA
For those 70 1⁄2 or older, a QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. When you make this direct distribution to a nonprofit like PEC, it’s not included in your taxable income.
Appreciated Stocks and Securities
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds is quick and simple and may provide you with significant tax benefits. When you give appreciated securities, you may receive an immediate tax deduction and savings on capital gains taxes.
Benefits:
- You receive gift credit and an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them.
- You pay no capital gains tax on the securities you donate.
- You can direct your gift to a specific fund or purpose.
How to contribute gifts of securities
When giving securities, be sure to consult with your financial advisors. Let us know that the gift is coming, and what program or specific fund you would like us to apply it to. Contact us for detailed instructions: [email protected] or 540-347-2334.
Securities held by your broker
Inform your broker in writing that you wish to give appreciated securities to The Piedmont Environmental Council. Be sure to let the broker know when you’d like the transfer made.
Certificates held by you
If you hold the actual stock certificates, you will need to sign a stock power form for each certificate you contribute. You may obtain a stock power from any broker or financial institution. When you sign the power, be sure to sign your name precisely as it appears on the certificate. For example, if you are listed as John P. Smith on the certificate, sign it John P. Smith.
Please note: Many financial institutions do not provide complete donor information when sending a contribution so we ask that you let our Advancement Assistant Kendra Atkins know via email at [email protected], or call (540) 347-2334 ext. 7005 so that we can properly acknowledge your gift and make sure it is allocated according to your instructions.
Demonstrate your company’s commitment to promoting and protecting the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont. Corporate partners receive such benefits as visibility in the community, client appreciation opportunities, volunteer opportunities, invitations to special events and special recognition in printed materials.
PEC is a leader — empowering citizens to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place and encouraging them to pursue a positive vision for the region’s future. Become a leader today to ensure that the Piedmont continues to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
All corporate partnerships can be customized. For more information please contact Nora Seilheimer at [email protected] or 540-347-2334 extension 7008.
A recurring gift is a wonderful way to support PEC’s mission all year long. Please use the form below to give a secure, tax-deductible monthly donation. By electing to become a sustaining donor, your credit or debit card will be charged an amount of your choosing on the same day of each month.
Annual membership begins at $40 per year. With a donation of $100 or more, your recipient can choose to be listed in our annual report.
You can change or cancel your monthly pledge at any time by visiting our secure self-service portal or by contacting Kendra Atkins at [email protected] or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005. If a monthly commitment is not the right choice for you at this time, please consider making a one-time gift.
If you would like to mail your gift, please make your check to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kendra Atkins at [email protected] or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005 with any questions or to make a gift of membership over the phone.
Named in honor of former PEC board member and Piedmont Foundation President Bill Backer, the Bill Backer Legacy Society recognizes generous individuals who have included PEC in their estate planning, through provisions in their will or another form of deferred gift.
Designating The Piedmont Environmental Council as a beneficiary in your will, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan or other estate planning documents enables PEC to continue its work to protect and restore the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Legacy gifts are accessible to everyone and can enable donors to leave a larger gift in their will than they might be able to give during their lifetime.
By informing PEC of your commitment to a planned gift, you’ll be recognized as a member of the Bill Backer Legacy Society. Members have the opportunity to be publicly acknowledged in our annual report. By choosing to be listed in our Annual Report, your generosity and dedication to the future of the Piedmont could inspire others to support PEC with a legacy gift of their own.
If you have already included PEC in your estate plans, please let us know. We’d like to thank you and recognize you for your commitment to protecting and conserving the Piedmont.
Ways to Give
The Piedmont Environmental Council recommends that you consult with your lawyer, tax or financial advisor about how to make a planned gift to PEC that supports your financial goals and circumstances. Some tools that our donors have used before include:
Bequest
A bequest is when an individual or household includes PEC in their will or living trust. Bequests of cash, securities, property or a percentage of your estate are ways to provide support for PEC.
If you wish to name The Piedmont Environmental Council in your will or estate plan, please name us as “The Piedmont Environmental Council, a charitable organization organized under Virginia law, now maintaining its headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia. Tax ID #54-0935569”.
Retirement Accounts
PEC may be named the beneficiary of a variety of retirement accounts by completing a beneficiary designation form online or by mail through your plan administrator. Significant income or estate tax savings can be a benefit of designating PEC as a beneficiary of your retirement plan.
Life Insurance
Naming PEC as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy is a low-cost way to make a planned gift to PEC. Premiums paid after gifting the policy can enable you to receive an income tax charitable deduction when the premium is paid.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)
A Charitable Remainder Unitrust is a tax-exempt vehicle that generates income and provides a charitable donation to PEC. A donor can name a beneficiary to receive annual income from the trust, the remainder of which transfers to PEC when the terms are complete.
Charitable Lead Trust
A Charitable Lead Trust is an irrevocable trust established to provide annual income to PEC for a period of time. Once the terms are complete, the remaining assets will go to family members or other beneficiaries.
Questions?
If you are considering making a planned gift to the Piedmont Environmental Council, or if you have any questions, please contact Nora Seilheimer at [email protected] or (434) 977-2033 x7008.
All requests for anonymity will be honored and all inquiries are confidential with no obligation. If you wish to designate your gift to a certain project or program area, please contact us to ensure we are able to honor your wishes.
The Piedmont Environmental Council is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 54-0935569) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Transactions through our website are considered as donations or event registrations, and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Piedmont Environmental Council has a written donor privacy policy, which states unambiguously that 1) it will not sell, trade or share a donor’s personal information with anyone or any outside organizations, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, unless engaged in a joint venture with The Piedmont Environmental Council or 2) it will only share personal information once the donor has given the charity specific permission to do so.
