If you want to help the Kennebunk Free Library today and maximize your charitable deduction, consider making your gift with cash. Cash is the simplest asset to donate - there is no appraisal to secure and no acceptance policies to follow. It is also the simplest asset for Kennebunk Free Library to accept and quickly put to good use.

Make your cash gift via a check or money order, a credit card or a wire transfer.

There's an extra tax benefit: Please note that for 2006 and 2007 the Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows people aged 70.5 or older to make tax-free distributions from their IRA accounts in amounts up to $100,000 per year directly to a charity. This applies only in the two year time frame of 2006 and 2007.

Gift Books

Tribute gifts may be made to recognize birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions.  A library plate will be placed in each item added to the collection.  The Library will provide acknowledgement to the honoree or family member of the person memorialized.

Remember a loved one, celebrate an event, or honor a friend by contributing to the Kennebunk Free Library. A memorial gift is a thoughtful way to honor the life and legacy of a loved one.

You'd like to help build the long-term financial strength of the Kennebunk Free Library, but feel you cannot make a significant gift today. Your solution may be a charitable bequest. A bequest under your will or revocable trust can complement your lifestyle and commitments today while supporting the Kennebunk Free Library tomorrow.

Donors choose a bequest because:

• It is not payable until death, so it does not affect your assets or cash flow during your lifetime.
• It is revocable - you can change the provisions in your will or trust at any time, and
• It is private - your will is not filed or made public until your death.

Your giving options are increased

• A bequest can deliver a specific gift to the Kennebunk Free Library ("I bequeath the sum of Ten Thousand [$10,000] Dollars"). Alternately, it can deliver a percentage of the balance remaining in your estate after taxes, expenses and specific bequests have been paid - what's known as the residue ("I bequeath Ten [10%] Percent of the residue of my estate").

Give appreciated securities to the Kennebunk Free Library and you shall receive - a tax break. Whether it's 100 shares of blue-chip stock or a new high-tech gadget, our government does indeed allow you to deduct these gifts as charitable donations. Moreover, you also avoid capital gains tax on the transfer. This double benefit means that you can leverage a larger donation by using appreciated securities rather than cash to make your gift.

We welcome gifts of publicly traded stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares. Some donors own stock in privately held corporations; contact us to learn about using those assets to make a gift. The securities you use to make your gift must have been held by you for more than one year to be fully deductible.

Company Matching Gifts

Maximize your gift to the Kennebunk Free Library through a matching gift from your employer. Many businesses will match gifts made by their employees, retirees, directors or their spouses. Please check with your employer and inquire about their matching gift policy.

With your help, wishes do come true! Please consider making a donation for the purchase of an item on the Kennebunk Free Library Wish List. Every contribution you make helps build your library and support your community!

Give the gift of your time and talent to the Kennebunk Free Library by helping with collections, book sales, mailings and special events. Please contact us to find out about the many ways that you could help.