WAYS TO GIVE
Your financial support is essential in helping us protect, preserve and enhance the long-term health and viability of the Bighorn River.
Tribute & Memorial Gifts
Honor someone special or celebrate a meaningful milestone through a gift to BHRA. Tribute gifts can be made in honor of someone living - celebrating milestones, achievements, or meaningful connections. Memorial gifts are made in memory of someone who has passed. Both offer a meaningful way to recognize someone special while supporting the long-term protection of the Bighorn River.
Donor Advised Funds
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) allows you to recommend a charitable grant to BHRA through a fund you have already established with a sponsoring organization. Giving through a DAF is a simple, tax-efficient way to support the long-term protection and stewardship of the Bighorn River.
To designate BHRA, please provide your DAF sponsoring organization with the following information:
EIN: 36-5177006
Address: Bighorn River Alliance
3333 2nd Avenue N #170
Billings, MT 59101
IRA Gifts
Qualified charitable distributions from your IRA allow eligible donors to give directly to BHRA in a tax-efficient way. A “Qualified Charitable Distribution” (QCD) allows individuals to donate up to $111,000 each year, subject to deductible contributions made to your IRA. Please consult your tax advisor or financial planner for more details.
Wills, Bequests & Simple Beneficiary Designations
Leaving a gift to BHRA through your will, a bequest, or a beneficiary designation is a meaningful way to create a lasting legacy. With guidance from your attorney or financial advisor, you can include BHRA in your estate plans or name BHRA as a beneficiary of retirement accounts or life insurance - helping ensure the Bighorn River remains protected for generations to come.
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Through a Will or Bequest: Work with your attorney to include language in your will or trust that leaves a specific amount, percentage, or asset to BHRA. (Click here for Sample Bequest Language)
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Through a Beneficiary Designation: Contact your retirement account provider, life insurance company, or financial institution and list BHRA as a full or partial beneficiary on the account form. Click here for instructions.
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Let Us Know: While not required, notifying BHRA of your plans helps us thank you and ensure your wishes are understood.
Montana Endowment Tax Credit
Montana residents can support the Bighorn River Alliance by utilizing the Montana Endowment Tax Credit (METC). The METC is a powerful way to support the Bighorn River Alliance while receiving significant tax benefits. Established in 1997, this credit allows:
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Individuals receive a 40% tax credit on the federal charitable deduction of a qualifying planned gift (up to $15,000 per year, or $30,000 for couples).
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Businesses receive a 20% tax credit on direct gifts (up to $15,000 annually).
Call us at 406-534-2915 for a personalized illustration of what this could mean for you!
Other Tax Advantaged Giving
Tax advantaged giving refers to charitable contributions made to the Bighorn River Alliance using financial tolls that provide potential tax benefits and the state and federal level. These strategies allow donors to:
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Reduce income taxes
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Avoid or reduce capital gains taxes
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Receive charitable deductions
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Support BHRA sustainably
Common forms of tax advantaged giving include charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and other planned giving vehicles. These giving methods not only help donors reduce their tax burden but also amplify the long-term impact of their generosity.
Corporate Matching Gifts
You may be eligible to double or even triple your contribution!
The Bighorn River Alliance encourages its members to use their employer’s matching gifts programs as an easy way to increase the donation to the organization. Simply contact your employer (or former employer, if you’re retired), request a matching gift form and send it to the address below. Forms need not accompany your gift to be eligible; you may send at any time or even request that gifts you’ve already given be matched. By using your matching gifts programs, you will double or maybe even triple your contribution to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Bighorn River.
Matching Gifts
Bighorn River Alliance
3333 2nd Avenue N #170
Billings, MT 59101
EIN: 36-5177006