Making a Contribution

The American Red Cross relies on financial contributions from the American public to provide its vital services.

With your financial support you help ensure that our volunteers are ready with practical, compassionate relief to families when disaster strikes . . . with vital life saving blood to patients in our hospitals . . . with training to teach people CPR, first aid and water safety . . . with around the clock emergency communication link for military families and providing transportation for senior citizens to medical appointments.

Your gift will be used efficiently and effectively to provide the maximum benefits to the people of our community.

Make A Contribution Now (Cash, Check or Charge Card*)

By Mail:
American Red Cross
Northern Lower Michigan Chapter
2350 Mitchell Park Drive
P.O. Box 2478
Petoskey, MI 49770

Or

By calling us to charge by phone: 231-348-7666, 231-533-4037 or call Toll Free 1-888-592-4001
We accept MasterCard and VISA. Feel free to leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible!

* We accept MasterCard and VISA. When mailing your contribution, please include Type of Card, Name (as shown on credit card), Credit Card Billing Address, Credit Card Number, and Expiration Date.

Other Methods for Contributions

Stocks and Bonds that have increased in value are an excellent vehicle for charitable gifts to the American Red Cross. It is advantageous to the donor to give these securities directly to the Red Cross rather than to sell them and give the proceeds from the sale. By making a gift of the appreciated securities themselves, donors may completely avoid the capital gains tax, allowing the gift to be made at a significantly lower cost while receiving a deduction for the full current fair market value.

A Gift Through Life Insurance

Life insurance policies provide donors with additional ways of making generous gifts to the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter. A donor may name the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter as a beneficiary, co-beneficiary or contingent beneficiary of an existing policy or add the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter as a remainder beneficiary in case the primary beneficiaries do not survive the policyholder.

A donor may give ownership of a paid-up policy to the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter and enjoy a tax deduction or may purchase a policy and irrevocably name the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter as owner and beneficiary. If the donor on a policy owned by the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter pays annual premiums, the donor would enjoy a charitable deduction in the amount of those premiums.

An Outright Gift of Real Estate

A donor may make an outright gift of a personal residence, ranch or farm to the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter or may reserve the right to live in the house or to continue farming the property for as long as the donor and/or named beneficiary lives. If the gift is irrevocable, the donor may take an immediate income tax deduction based on the present value of the remainder interest to the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A donor may transfer cash or negotiable securities to the American Red Cross Northern Lower Michigan Chapter for the purpose of setting up a Charitable Gift Annuity that assures the beneficiary a fixed income for life. The donor receives a charitable deduction in the year that the gift is made. (The size of the deduction is based on the amount given, the annual income and the age of the beneficiaries. It is computed using actuarial tables.) A donor may reduce or delay capital gains tax when giving long-term securities that have risen in value.

A Charitable Remainder Trust

A donor may create a life-income trust, which provides the donor and any beneficiaries with either a fixed income through a charitable remainder annuity trust or a variable income through a charitable remainder unitrust.

Gifts In Honor and In Memorial Gifts

Sometimes, to show the depth of our feelings, we need more than words.

In time of celebration, the lives of friends and relatives deserve special recognition. A gift to the Northern Lower Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross is a unique and meaningful way to mark births, graduations, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and achievements.

In time of remembrance, giving a gift in the name of a person who has died is a thoughtful way of showing bereaved friends or relatives that you care deeply about their loss.

When you make a gift in honor or in memoriam, a tasteful and appropriate card will be sent to the person you indicate, announcing your gift. The amount of your gift will be kept confidential.

Getting Help

It is always a good idea to discuss your wishes with your financial consultant, attorney or accountant. If you would like to discuss your wishes before going to your advisor, please contact our office 231-348-7666 for a personal and confidential discussion of your wishes.

We are here to assist you and can often suggest ways to meet your goals as well as saving money on taxes, estate fees or probate.

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