Master Gardener Program
Erika Johnson, Program Coordinator
erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu
(564) 397-5738
Clark County Master Gardener Endowment
| If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden. — Robert Brault |
About the Endowment
How You Can Help
Other Ways to Give
Reasons to Give
FAQ
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About the Endowment
An endowment is a permanent fund whose principal is invested to generate income which provides financial support for an organization. Each year, four percent of the fund’s market value, averaged over a 36-month period, is available for our programming.
How You Can Help
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You have several choices on how to support the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program Endowment. WSU Foundation is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. The federal ID number is 91-1075542. On any gift, please include the account number GF005334. The buttons at right will help for checks or online giving.
- Cash, stock or bonds, including formal pledge agreements.
- A memorial gift to honor a friend or loved one.
- A transfer from a donor-advised fund.
- A qualified charitable distribution from a retirement account if you qualify based on your age.
- A bequest in your will.
- Naming the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program as a beneficiary in your IRA, 401 (k), SEP, annuity, or life insurance policy.
Your contributions to the Clark County Master Gardener Endowment are secure, and they benefit from the oversight and professional management provided by the WSU Foundation.
Other Ways to Give
Trust or Annuities
With a planned gift to the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program, you may enjoy a lifetime income from your assets, while taking advantage of generous tax deductions. These planned giving opportunities include:
- Charitable Gift Annuity
- Charitable Remainder Trust
- Retained Life Estate
To learn more about these, please see the information at WSU for planned giving.
Employer Match
Many employers will match their employees’ donations to Washington State University. Some employers will even match the gifts of retired employees, spouses, parents, and even contributions from their board of directors. All matched funds will be designated to the area to which you originally contributed your gift.
Learn more and find out if your current or former employer has a match policy.
7 Excellent Reasons to Give
- Your donation enhances Clark County’s and WSU’s awareness of our Master Gardener volunteers.
- Your donation expands the influence of our Master Gardener volunteers and the entire Master Gardener Program within Clark County.
- Donors receive recognition from WSU.
- The CCMG Endowment is particularly well suited for complex donations that require attorneys, monitoring, and a long-term commitment.
- This may include Real Estate, a pledge that you fulfill over time, a planned gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust, a beneficiary designation, or a bequest.
- You can donate your residence or other property while retaining lifetime use through a Retain Life Estate option.
- WSU handles the complex attorney and filing requirement.
- WSU has a Gift Planning division to help donors select options that meet their needs and wishes.
- WSU provides access to estate planning information and planners.
- All donations over $1,000 qualify the donor for honors as a WSU President’s Associate.
- All donations are tax deductible.
And the best reason of all: The Master Gardener Program of Clark County will exist forever because of your generosity!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an endowment? Our endowment is a sum of donated money deposited with the WSU Foundation. WSU invests the money and each year, distributes a portion (usually four percent of the principal amount) to the Clark County Master Gardener Program. WSU also takes a portion (usually one and a half percent) of the amount deposited as a fee for managing the account. The remaining income is reinvested.
In the event that the principal amount falls below the amount contributed, distributions from the Endowment will be suspended until such time as the principal equals or exceeds the amount donated.
Why an Endowment for the Clark County Master Gardener Program? The Endowment provides a source of income specifically designated for the Master Gardener Program of Clark County. Because funding can fluctuate from year to year, the Endowment helps bridge shortfalls in lean years and helps expand the Program’s services in normal years. Plus, the Endowment has the potential to grow large enough to provide independent funding to the Master Gardener Program, thus ensuring its perpetual existence.
How do the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners, the WSU Clark County Master Gardener Endowment, and the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County relate to each other?
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WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners provide volunteer educational services to Clark County residents and homeowners about horticultural practices. Each year, between 50 and 55 participants enroll in the program to start on the path to become Master Gardeners.
The Clark County Master Gardeners Program raises the needed funds for staff, workshops, and other activities annually. Sources include distributions from the WSU Clark County Master Gardener Endowment, grants from the Master Gardener Foundation of Clark County, grants from other entities, and program fees.
The WSU Clark County Master Gardener Endowment was created to support the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners Program. Gifts to the endowment are invested to provide long-term financial security for the Program. Annual fundraising increases the amount in the endowment, which then increases the amount available for distribution. Endowment funds are held and managed by WSU Foundation.
The MG Foundation of Clark County (MGFCC) is an independent public, non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. MGFCC raises funds each year to support the Clark County Master Gardener Program. MGFCC organizes a variety of fundraising activities such as the Mothers’ Day Plant Sale and others. It is akin to a “Friends of” group like those formed for parks or wildlife refuges.
Why do we have both the Clark County Master Gardener Endowment and the MG Foundation? These two entities provide different sources of funding for the CCMG Program.
The Endowment’s sole purpose is to support the MG Program and that support is perpetual. The Endowment began with financial gifts to WSU Foundation to benefit Clark County Master Gardeners. It is continually increased by donations from the Foundation, private individuals, and businesses. It assures that there will always be a Master Gardener Program in our county. Distributions from this fund typically support the salary of the Master Garden Program Coordinator.
MGFCC generates annual funding for the Master Gardener program in Clark County and grants those funds for needs identified by the Master Garden Program Coordinator. In recent years, MGFCC grants have support staff salaries for the School Garden Program, supplies and equipment for the Small Fruit Team, supplies and equipment for the Organic Field Team,
Who decides how the proceeds from the endowment will be spent? Those decisions are made by the Director of the Clark County Extension Program.
Why establish an Endowment? An endowment does have a beginning; but it has no end. Donors began the Clark County Master Gardener Endowment because they saw a need for a stable funding source and were willing to contribute toward a permanent fund. The endowment has grown since its founding through additional gifts and through investment returns.
Who can contribute to the CCMG Endowment? Anyone can contribute.
How do I give? Please make your check payable to WSU Foundation. In the memo section write CCMG Endowment, Account GF005334, and mail it to:
CAHNRS & WSU Extension Office of Alumni and Friends
PO Box 646228
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6228
| WSU Clark County Master Gardener Program 1919 NE 78th Street • Vancouver, WA 98665 (564) 397-5738 |
