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Make a Donation

IMG_0496There are many giving opportunities that allow you to play a leadership role in contributing to the growth and excellence of The Bridge. Please refer to our guide below:

Types of Funds:

Annual Giving:  The Annual Fund plays an important role in enabling The Bridge to help fund urgent needs and provide program and services to our clients.

Restricted Giving:  Many donors prefer to donate or set up funds for a particular area of their special interest and restrict the use of the funds. Restricted funds can be endowed funds where the interest from the fund is used for a specific need at The Bridge.

Methods of Giving:

Gifts by check:  The easiest and most direct means of making a gift is with a check. Checks should be sent to Ann Hyatt, Director of Development at The Bridge at 248 West 108th Street, New York, NY, 10025.

Pledge Gifts: Donors may prefer to make a pledge and pay this off monthly, quarterly or semi-annually. 

Credit Cards: The Bridge accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.  Be sure to include your credit card expiration date and the amount of the contribution along with your signature and address when making a credit card gift.

Making a Gift Online: If you would like to give online, click the “DONATE NOW” button and follow the instructions.

Matching Gifts: This is an excellent means of doubling or tripling the power of your gift. Current or retired employees  and their spouses can be eligible for matching gift programs, which are available at many corporations. Check with your human resources department to obtain the necessary forms to apply.

Securities: Gifts in the form of appreciated securities can provide valuable tax benefits for donors who wish to avoid capital gains taxes. In general, Federal Tax Law allows a charitable deduction for the full market value on gifts of securities. The donor in such instances does not pay capital gains taxes on the application. If interested in donating securities, please contact Ann Hyatt, Director of Development.

Memorial/Tribute/Birthday Gifts: Donors may wish to honor or memorialize someone with a donation to The Bridge. We will send a lovely card to the person you would like to pay tribute to telling them that you have made a contribution in their honor. (The amount of the contribution is not mentioned). Please send the name and address of the person who will be receiving the card, and what you are acknowledging. 

Corporate and Foundation Funding:

Many corporations and foundations find the important mission of The Bridge to be consistent with their philanthropic goals. Proposals are currently available or can be prepared for many  programs at The Bridge. Select programs that we are seeking funding for are:

  • Cognitive Remediation Program
  • Bridge Art Program
  • Bridge Poetry Program
  • Housing Development including homeless veterans initiatives
  • General Operating Funds
  • HIV/AIDS Residential Program
  • Urban Farms and Horticulture
  • Soup Kitchen for clients
  • PROS Readiness Demonstration Project
  • Veteran’s Project Research
  • Substance Abuse Program

For other funding opportunities, please feel free to contact Ann Hyatt, Director of Development & External Relations at 212-663-3000, ext. 379 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Estate Gifts

Planned Gifts can provide opportunities for donors to support The Bridge in a very significant way while protecting their estate for children and other heirs. Some of the most commonly used vehicles include:

Bequests: Including your favorite organization in your will is the most popular kind of estate gift.

Life Income: There are several kinds of Life Income Instruments. They include remainder trusts, lead trusts, unitrusts and annuity trusts. Donors benefit by receiving valuable income provided by the capital involved for the life of the trust. 

Life Insurance: Making The Bridge the beneficiary or co-beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan can create significant charitable deductions for your estate.

Property: Gifts of appreciated property like appreciated securities can provide your estate with a deduction for the full market value and avoid costly capital gains taxes.

The Bridge Legacy Society

The Bridge Legacy Society honors those individuals who make estate commitments or life-income arrangements that benefit The Bridge.

In recognition of their thoughtful support, members of The Bridge Legacy Society receive a variety of special privileges. We invite you to join this group of dedicated individuals. Please contact us for more information and read our estate planning tips.
 
The Bridge is proud to recognize The Bridge Legacy Society members with the following special privileges:

  • Opportunity to schedule a private tour of our facilities.
  • Special recognition in the Annual Report and our newsletter and our website
  • Invitations to estate planning seminars
  • Invitations to exclusive donor events as a member of The Bridge Legacy Society

Depending on the type of gift, you may be able to take advantage of one or more of the following:

  • Immediate income tax charitable deduction
  • Minimize recognition of capital gain
  • Minimize the imposition of the estate tax

A gift to The Bridge in your will or revocable trust proclaims your confidence that we will continue to serve our mission and make a difference in the lives of future generations. A bequest:

  • Is easy to arrange
  • Will not alter your current lifestyle in any way
  • Can be easily modified to address your changing needs

Residual Gift Language for a Bequest

A residual bequest comes to us after your estate expenses and specific bequests are paid:

I give and devise to The Bridge, located in New York all (or state a percentage) of the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal, to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program)

Specific Gift Language for a Bequest

Naming The Bridge as a beneficiary of a specific amount from your estate is easy:

I give and devise to The Bridge, located in New York, NY the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Contingent Gift Language for a Bequest

The Bridge can be named as a contingent beneficiary in your will or personal trust if one or more of your specific bequests cannot be fulfilled:

If (insert name) is not living at the time of my demise, I give and devise to The Bridge located in New York, NY, the sum of $ _______ (or all or a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).

Retirement Plan Bequest

You may name The Bridge as a beneficiary of your IRA or other qualified retirement benefits. Donors should consult with their tax advisor regarding the tax benefits of such gifts.

Naming The Bridge as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(k), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or profit-sharing pension plan will accomplish a charitable goal while realizing significant tax savings. It can be costly to pass such assets on to heirs because of tax consequences. By naming The Bridge as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the asset while living, but at the donor's death the plan passes to support The Bridge free of both estate and income taxes.

Making a charitable gift from your retirement plan is easy and should not cost you any attorneys fees. Simply request a change of beneficiary form from your plan administrator. When you are done, please return the form to your plan administrator and notify The Bridge. We can also assist you with the proper language for your beneficiary designation to The  Bridge.

General Information

  • Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
  • Checks should be made out to The Bridge and sent to the attention of the Development office.
  • The Bridge operates on a July 1 through June 30 fiscal year. Gifts must be received by June 30 to be included in a fund year.
 
 

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