Workplace Giving

Studies show that giving through payroll contribution at your workplace is three times more effective than simply writing a check. First, spreading out your donation over the course of a year allows smaller, more manageable amounts to be taken out of your paycheck, which can allow you to give more overall. Second, the money is deducted automatically, so the decision to pledge only needs to be made once a year. Third, it gives you and other employees a stake in your community. Payroll contribution lets every employee be a workplace philanthropist!

Eco-Cycle is a member agency of Community Shares of Colorado. Community Shares is a non-profit federation that provides financial support for more than 115 Colorado charities through over 150 workplace giving campaigns reaching 150,000 potential donors each year. With an average gift of $1 a day, over the past 25 years Community Shares has inspired $20 million in giving!

The Community Shares giving program allows you to donate to a non-profit(s) of your choice through payroll deduction. For example, you can elect to deduct $1, $5, $20 (or an amount of your choice) per pay period from your check and have it distributed to the non-profits you choose. While giving $5 a pay period may not seem like a very large donation, by year’s end it will accrue to $120, which is a significant gift!

Contact Community Shares at 303-861-7507 or cshares@cshares.org to learn more about adding choice in giving to your company's employee giving campaign.

Planned Giving

Planning Today for a Gift to Eco-Cycle Tomorrow

Planned giving provides a way for you to make a gift to Eco-Cycle and also receive a charitable income tax deduction or reduce estate taxes, accomplishing goals for both you and Eco-Cycle. A planned gift may enhance your future financial well-being (and your family’s) while at the same time providing for a meaningful charitable gift, in some cases, a much more substantial gift than you thought possible in your lifetime.

There are many planned giving options—from naming Eco-Cycle as a beneficiary in your will (see below) to a more complex trust arrangement. Planned giving is a very individualized process and determining what type of gift is right for you is just as important as making the gift. Ultimately, the best plan for you will encompass what you wish to accomplish for yourself, for your family, and for your charitable interests.

Making a Bequest

Many people would like to help support Eco-Cycle’s mission with a significant gift but feel they cannot afford to make such a gift today. One of the easiest ways to leave a lasting legacy to Eco-Cycle is through a charitable bequest. A bequest is a gift of property or assets to a beneficiary as defined in your will. The benefits of making a bequest to Eco-Cycle are many:

• Your assets remain in your control during your lifetime.

• You can modify your bequest if your circumstances change.

• There is no upper limit on the estate tax deductions that can be taken for charitable bequests.

• You can have the satisfaction now of knowing that your bequest will support Eco-Cycle in the way you intended when you are gone.

There are several different ways to make a bequest, which can all be tailored to complement your financial goals. Please discuss the options for doing so with your attorney as you prepare to update your will. And, if you include Eco-Cycle in a bequest provision, please notify us so that we have the opportunity to thank you for your generosity and can ensure your wishes are fulfilled. Your notification will be treated confidentially. If you have not already done so, please consider putting Eco-Cycle in your will today.

For more information about planned giving, please contact Nicole Theerasatiankul.

Support Eco-Cycle by donating your unwanted car, truck, boat or recreational vehicle

When you donate your vehicle, it's resold at an auto auction and the proceeds go to Eco-Cycle. It's a great way to 'recycle' an unwanted car, truck, boat or RV. 

To donate a vehicle, contact Vehicles for Charity at 303.308.2400 or 1.866.628.2277.

What Do I Need Before I Can Donate Vehicle?

Have three things ready:

• A clear title, which means a title with your name listed in the owner’s section, without an assignment or transfer to another person. All liens must be released prior to donating the vehicle.

• Your car keys

• Current mileage

It's that easy!

How Does the Program Work?

Call Vehicles for Charity at 303-308-2400 or 866-628-2277 and let them know that you would like to donate a vehicle to Eco-Cycle. Upon completion of your information you will be contacted by a tow company who will schedule a pick up. At the time of pick up, the driver will give you a receipt indicating your name, the year, make and model of the vehicle, VIN number and Eco-Cycle’s Federal Tax ID number (provided by Vehicles for Charity). You provide the driver the keys and the title to the car, truck, boat or RV.

Does My Car Have to be Running to Qualify for Donation?

No. However, cars that are in extremely poor condition may be declined because the cost to tow them may be more than the value of the vehicle.

Do I Pay for Towing ?

No, there is no charge to you for towing.

How Long Will I Wait Before My Car, Truck, Boat or RV is Picked Up?

Typically, your vehicle will be picked up in 2 to 4 business days. The tow company will contact you in advance to schedule the pick up.

Do I Get a Tax Deduction for the Donation?

If you itemize your deductions, you can deduct the “fair market value” of the vehicle. IRS publication 526, Charitable Contributions and Publication 561 Determining the Value of Donated Property, provide more detailed information. The vehicle’s fair market value must be determined by you. If the value of your donation is $5,000 or more, a qualified vehicle appraisal is required by the IRS.

To find out the value of your donation, we recommend Kelly Blue Book or NADA Guides.

Four good reasons to donate stock to Eco-Cycle

1. Receive a Tax Deduction

If you have owned the stock for a year or more, you will receive a percentage (depending on your tax bracket) of the stock’s fair market value on the day you make your contribution. A stock’s fair market value is the amount you would receive if you sold the stock. If you have owned stock less than a year, you can still donate it, but you will only be able to deduct the fair market value of the stock when you purchased it (not the value it holds on the day you donate it).

2. Save on Capital Gains

By donating stocks or mutual funds, you avoid paying capital gains taxes. For example, if you originally paid $500 for your shares that are now worth $2,000, your gain would be $1,500. If you were to sell those shares you would currently have to pay 15% of the $1,500 gain. By donating the shares in this example, you would avoid paying $225 in tax.

3. Stocks are the same as Cash

Whether you donate $1,000 in cash or $1,000 in stocks, Eco-Cycle receives the same amount of money. You enjoy the capital gains tax savings, and Eco-Cycle puts your money to work.

4. It’s Easy

To donate stock all you need to do is contact your broker or call Eco-Cycle for more information.

Please consult a tax planner or financial advisor to discuss your financial situation, your goals and your options for giving. Contact Nicole Theerasatiankul for more information.