Ways to Give

Cash: The Simplest Way to Give

When emergencies of any kind strike such as a family situation needing crisis intervention or a tornado, the need for cash donations is clear and urgent. We must provide services and help as quickly as possible to the individuals involved. Generous donors like you make this work possible. Cash gifts are just as important to Catholic Charities in calmer times as well and are one of the most common types of charitable gifts made. This may be because writing a check is a simple way to provide immediate support to Catholic Charities and provides an uncomplicated way for you to receive a charitable deduction. With a cash donation, you instantly receive the satisfaction of knowing Catholic Charities is putting your gift to work immediately on behalf of our clients. Keep in mind, larger commitments can take the form of a multi-year pledge where you write a check each year for an amount you commit to during the first year.

If writing a check, please make it payable to: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria and mail to the Development Office at 2900 W. Heading Avenue, West Peoria IL 61604. We recommend your envelope be postmarked by December 31 of the tax year for which you wish to receive the deduction. For further information, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Appreciated Assets

Gifts of securities (e.g. stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares) are simple alternatives that can benefit both you and Catholic Charities. For example, gifts of appreciated securities which have been held for more than 18 months may be deducted at full market value on the date of transfer to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria. If you choose to give Catholic Charities a gift of stock that has increased in value you may claim a charitable gift deduction on your current year taxes and you may not pay the capital gains taxes you would if you sold it yourself. For further information, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Bequests and Gifts from Living Trusts

A bequest is a type of deferred gift. A charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity allows you to make a significant donation while enjoying substantial tax savings and gaining additional income for retirement. By calling and asking your lawyer to prepare a will or trust that includes Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria, you can help ensure our mission of exceptional work on behalf of the poor and elderly continues. You may not need a new will. A simple addition may be all that is required. With beneficiary designations, you can include Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria in your estate plan without changing your will or trust. You may choose to designate the gift for specific or unrestricted purposes. For further information, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Suggested language for Bequests:

“I give to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria, an Illinois non-profit organization located at 2900 West Heading Avenue, West Peoria, IL 61604, the sum of $____________, or ______% of my residuary estate for its general use and purposes.”

Life Insurance

Many people may not think about insurance policies as a method of giving, but these instruments are a good way to support a charity. You may own a life insurance policy you no longer need and making a charitable gift to Catholic Charities could be to your advantage. Consider giving a current insurance policy or purchasing new policy naming Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria as the owner and beneficiary. If the policy has a cash value, you can take a charitable deduction approximately equal to the cash value at the time the gift is made. In addition, if you continue to pay annual premiums for the policy, they will be tax-deductible gifts as well. For further information, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Matching Gifts

Many businesses offer matching charitable gifts. You can make your contribution work twice as hard by checking with your employer to see if a matching gift program is available.

Memorial and Honor Gifts

Giving a gift in memory of someone special is appealing to many people. A memorial to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria provides a means to remember someone special as well as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in our community. Honor gifts to Catholic Charities are gifts to life and a lasting tribute to a beloved relative, friend or business associate. An example of an honor gift is a donation made at a time of celebration such as a special anniversary or birth of a child. Each memorial or honor gift is acknowledged by a note from Catholic Charities sent to the person or family of the person in whose name the gift is made. This notification generally does not include the amount of the gift. You will receive a separate acknowledgement receipt for your tax deductible gift.

When making a memorial or honor gift, please include the name of the person you are making a tribute to and the name and address of their family if it is a memorial. If writing a check, please make it payable to: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoriaand mail to the Development Office at 2900 W. Heading Avenue, West Peoria IL 61604. For further information about how to make a memorial or honor gift, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Donate online

Make your gift start counting today by making a gift online. For your convenience, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria has partnered with Paypal Donations to accept your on-line gift through Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or a debit from your checking account. Paypal Donations provides a secure online method to safely submit monetary contributions to our agency. All information you provide is confidential and will be used exclusively by Catholic Charities and will not be sold to other organizations. To make a gift today, click here.

In-kind Donations

Catholic Charities appreciates and accepts in-kind donations in support of our client programs. For example, office supplies, furniture and clothing are always helpful. Please know, tax deduction claims for donations of goods and services are the responsibility of the donor. For further information, please contact Fund Development Associate Mary Stahl at 309.636.8070 or at mstahl@ccdop.org.

Special Events

During Catholic Charities Month in June and throughout the year there are opportunities for participation in special events to benefit Catholic Charities. For example, you or your business may be interested in sponsoring an event at one of the branch offices or buying a ticket to attend the annual Catholic Charities dinner and auction event held in June. Special events provide an opportunity for Catholic Charities to share our mission as well as raise needed funds to support our programs.

If you have questions about services provided through Catholic Charities, how you can make a specific type of gift or any other questions about Catholic Charities, please contact us at:

Mary Stahl, Fund Development Associate
309.636.8070, mstahl@ccdop.org

Julie Ramlo, Communications and Development Director
309.636.8029, jramlo@ccdop.org

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Peoria is a 501©(3) non-profit organization which makes your gift tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Please consult your tax advisor for specific tax advice.