Ways to support

Your gift to The Royal Oak Foundation strengthens our programs in the United States and our support of the National Trust and its stewardship and conservation work overseas. Public support over the last 35 years has allowed Royal Oak to grant over $7 million to support a wide variety of National Trust projects.

We need and appreciate your direct support because membership dues only go so far to underwrite our mission. Royal Oak is an independent U.S. not-for-profit organization based in New York City. All contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Cash
Online Gifts by Credit Card
Corporate Matching Gifts
Stocks and Other Securities
Life Insurance
Real Estate
Supporting Royal Oak and National Trust Priorities
More Information & Questions

Britain's breathtaking Lake District is a haven for hikers and anyone who enjoys peaceful natural splendor

Gifts of Cash

A gift of cash is appealing to those who want the satisfaction of knowing their gift will be available to Royal Oak for immediate use. In most cases, gifts are fully deductible if itemized on Federal income taxes. Donors may deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in any one year, with any remainder carried forward for up to five additional years.

You may use this form to contribute by mail. (PDF)

Make A Donation Through Our Web Site

We are currently accepting on-line donations for the 2011 National Trust appeal to restore the wall hangings at Ham House. Please visit our donations page.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Corporate matching gifts are an easy way for people to increase the impact of their personal contributions to The Royal Oak Foundation. By taking advantage of a employer’s matching gift program, a donor may generate an additional gift that may automatically double or triple his or her own contribution

Rocks at a national trust protected coastline site. The Royal Oak Foundation helps keep areas like this free from industrial development. Here's how to make a matching-gift:

Check with your company's human resources department to find out about the company’s matching-gift policy.
Many employers will provide a form for you to fill out and send to us with your donation.
We will verify your gift and return the form to your company, which will then issue a matching gift contribution to the Foundation.

Please send all gifts and forms to The Royal Oak Foundation (Tax Identification Number 23-7349380)

Gifts of Stock and Other Securities

Making a charitable gift of stock to The Royal Oak Foundation is both economical and easy. Stocks may have appreciated in value by so much that potential donors would be subject to high capital gains taxes if they sold the stock and used it for their own purposes. Tax laws today allow a person to deduct the entire market value of the stock, including the capital appreciation, if it is donated to a charity. In addition to making a tax-efficient gift, one that costs far less than the value donated, the donor is not responsible for capital gains tax.

A woman gardening at a national trust property. Royal Oak helps the Trust preserve historic gardens for all to enjoy

A gift of stock can be transferred to Royal Oak via:

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC DTC # 0374
for Royal Oak Foundation account # 1003-9754

The Royal Oak Foundation
35 West 35th Street, Suite 1200
New York, NY 10001-2205

click here for a printable version of this information. (PDF)

Gifts of Life Insurance

A gift of life insurance is an attractive option for those individuals who no longer need the financial protection of an existing policy. For many, assigning a life insurance policy to Royal Oak – or designating the Foundation as beneficiary – is a simple means of making a significant gift without diminishing current assets.

A man standing on a beach protected by the National Trust.

In addition, by transferring ownership of an insurance policy to the Foundation and naming it as a beneficiary, you qualify for an immediate income tax deduction. The amount of the deduction depends on the status of the policy. In the case of a paid-up policy, the charitable deduction generally equals the replacement value of the policy. If the policy is not paid-up, the charitable contribution is approximately equal to the cash/surrender value. In either case, the contribution cannot exceed the donor's basis in the policy.

Many donors who choose to name Royal Oak as the owner and irrevocable beneficiary of their life insurance policy choose to make their premium payments directly to the Foundation. In turn, Royal Oak pays the life insurance company the annual premium and the donor receives an income tax charitable deduction for the value of the premium. This way, the donor receives a tax deduction in the year the gift is made for the current cash/surrender value of the policy. The donor will receive an additional deduction each year for the premium paid to Royal Oak.

Giant's Causeway is an important world heritage site. Areas such as this are a refuge for both animals and people.

Gifts of Real Estate

Real estate, such as a piece of land, a house, or a farm, may be given to Royal Oak outright, in which case the Foundation will sell the property and use the proceeds immediately. It is also possible for real estate to be used to fund a trust and provide the donor (or another person) with lifetime income. A donor may also donate a house to The Royal Oak Foundation and retain the right to live in it during his or her lifetime. This type of gift provides the donor with an immediate charitable deduction.

Supporting Specific Royal Oak and National Trust Priorities

Please feel free to contact us by telephone or email if you wish to make a gift to support a particular aspect of Royal Oak's work, such as Fellowships and Scholarships or Lectures and Tours in the U.S. Colorful boats tied up at a dock. Royal Oak makes it enables Americans to enjoy every part of the vast National Trust visiting experience

You may make a gift and recommend that it be applied to a favorite National Trust property, or projects such as ongoing work to protect and increase access to the British Coastline, or Royal Oak’s appeal for Country House Libraries, for example.

In conformity with U.S. law and Internal Revenue Service Regulations, your donation recommended for the National Trust is considered unrestricted until is it reviewed by the Grants Committee and approved by the Royal Oak Board of Directors, on a quarterly basis.

More Information & Questions

Children playing in the surf at a national trust beach Should you wish to discuss any of the above options in greater detail or if you questions, please contact Jeong Bae, Director of Administration and Finance, at (800) 913-6565, extension 206 or send an email to donate@royal-oak.org. The above text is provided for informational purposes only and any individual considering a planned gift is encouraged to also consult with their tax advisor or accountant.