You care about saving land. So do we! Let’s work together: Ways to Give
By supporting Athens Conservancy, you become an important partner to help protect the beautiful lands of southeastern Ohio, preserve natural habitat, ensure water quality, and protect wildlife. These efforts are crucial today, as we work to combat climate change, and keep our precious planet healthy for generations to come.
Our local lands are part of an essential resiliency area. The Appalachian Corridor has been identified as one of four regions in the world as a healthy, connected, resilient landscape for the preservation of biodiversity as climate changes.
That’s what makes our work so important. And why we rely on support from people like you. By making a gift to our nonprofit land trust, you help protect the land, air and water around us, and help create a more vibrant and healthy community.
Started in 2002, Athens Conservancy protects nearly 3,000 acres, including 14 nature preserves, 11 conservation easements, and a portion of a multi-use rail-trail. Our local lands are mostly forested and include ridge tops, stream bottoms, dramatic rock formations, and beautiful vistas.
Find the Right Giving Opportunity for You!
GIFTS OF STOCK
When you donate appreciated stock or other securities, such as bonds or mutual funds, you support our mission and you may realize significant tax benefits, such as avoiding paying capital gains taxes. For information specific to you, please consult with your personal tax professional. Stock donations intended for Athens Conservancy are handled through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. We can provide you with specific instructions and contact information to make the transfer.
GIVING FROM AN IRA
Making a gift from your IRA can have tax advantages. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a gifting strategy available if you are at least age 70 1/2. By making a QCD from your IRA you can satisfy your required minimum distribution without paying taxes on the gift, and you can give any amount, up to $100,000 per year, to a qualified charity like Athens Conservancy.
Transfers from an IRA may be made directly from your IRA administrator to Athens Conservancy. For specifics, please consult with your personal financial advisor or tax professional. For a sample letter requesting a QCD from your IRA, click here.
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
You may give to Athens Conservancy during your lifetime from an established donor-advised fund and/or designate Athens Conservancy as a future beneficiary of your fund. A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account that you open for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations.
PLANNED GIFTS
You may want to make a charitable gift part of your overall retirement or estate planning. This is a meaningful way to leave a powerful legacy and support land conservation for future generations. By making well-thought-out choices, you may be able to achieve your financial goals, reduce your tax burden by making Athens Conservancy the beneficiary, and make a significant contribution to a cause you love.
BEQUESTS
When you arrange a gift in your will or living trust you are creating a personal legacy to support conservation and protect 
land for the future. You may insert a clause in your will to specify the donation of land, cash or other assets, or a conservation easement. We can provide you with suggested language to include, which designates part of your estate as a gift to Athens Conservancy. Please contact us if you would like more information.
GIFTS OF LAND
Landowners may choose to donate their land to Athens Conservancy for conservation and protection. Preserving land and wildlife habitat is one of the most significant legacies a landowner can leave for future generations. Another meaningful option is creating a conservation easement to permanently protect your land. It is a legal agreement between a landowner and land trust to permanently limit use of the land to protect its conservation value, and can have tax benefits to the landowner.
ENDOWMENTS
Athens Conservancy has two endowment funds, housed at local foundations: Athens Conservancy Endowment Fund, at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; and the Athens Conservancy Endowment, at The Columbus Foundation. Contact Victoria at victoria@athensconservancy.org for details.
SELINDE ROOSENBURG MEMORIAL FUND
A fund in memory of a local young woman and aspiring wildland firefighter supports Athens Conservancy’s land conservation efforts in southeastern Ohio. Gifts to the Selinde Roosenburg Memorial Fund are tax deductible and can be made through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.
HEALTHY FOREST FUND
Our Healthy Forest Fund fully supports efforts to care for our lands, keeping them healthy and resilient today and for future generations. To donate to this important fund, simply use our secure online form and choose Healthy Forest Fund in the drop-down menu.
MONETARY GIFTS
Donate to Athens Conservancy to make an investment in protecting local land, and you become a member of our Conservancy family. Your dollars go directly to local land preservation and forest stewardship, and support our mission to protect land and wildlife habitat, and to connect our community with nature. As a member, you will be invited to Athens Conservancy’s special events, and will receive updates on our activities.
You may donate by using the secure online form on our website, or you can send a check to Athens Conservancy, PO Box 2281, Athens OH 45701. You will receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.
You may make your gift a recurring gift. An automatic, monthly donation is an easy way to spread giving through the year. Simply indicate this choice on the online form.
LET YOUR EMPLOYER HELP
Many employers offer a company dollar-for-dollar matching program, an easy way to amplify your gift! Check to see if your employer offers a matching program.
IN-KIND GIFTS AND VEHICLES
We happily accept donations of items you may no longer need, from hammers and work gloves to post-hole diggers and pruning shears. Or donate a vehicle! An old car, truck, motorcycle, boat, trailer, or ATV can be turned into a charitable donation with tax advantages for you. Contact us for information about this simple process.
ATHENS CONSERVANCY’S MISSION
Athens Conservancy preserves wild and scenic places, protects water quality, and maintains healthy, resilient ecosystems that support native biodiversity and help counteract the cause of climate change. Our conserved lands are valued by the community and connect people with nature for recreation, education, research, and inspiration.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
Official name: The Athens Conservancy
Address: PO Box 2281, Athens OH 45701
EIN Number: 32-0035073
Let’s Work Together! We are happy to work with you and your financial advisor, estate attorney, or accountant to help you explore ways to give, and find opportunities that match your interests and fit your goals.
Contact: email Victoria Ellwood at victoria@athensconserancy.org