Ways to Give

Your gift makes our important work possible, no matter the type or size. Common ways to give are listed below. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Bigelow Laboratory is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation, with tax ID #01-6006001.

Gifts by Cash, Check, or Credit Card

The majority of charitable contributions to Bigelow Laboratory are in the form of cash, usually by check, and are deductible for federal income tax purposes. You can give a cash gift in the following ways:

• Credit Card: Make a secure online donation.
• By Phone: (207) 315-2567 ext. 106
• By Mail: Send a check payable to Bigelow Laboratory to:
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Attn: Advancement Office
60 Bigelow Dr
East Boothbay, ME 04544

Gifts of Stock

You can help the Laboratory and save as well. Donate appreciated securities and avoid capital gains tax. You receive credit for your donation and an immediate income tax reduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them.

To obtain delivery instructions for making gifts of stock, please contact the Advancement Office at dwilson@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112. Our bank requires that we confirm stock gifts within 24 hours of delivery, so please call or email with the details of your donation.

IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions

Individuals 70 ½ and older may qualify to make gifts directly from an IRA (up to $105,000 per year) tax-free, known as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) or charitable IRA rollover. Contact your IRA provider to make a QCD gift to the Laboratory today. While gifts from your IRA do not qualify for a charitable deduction, they do count towards your Required Minimum Distribution and are not subject to personal income taxation.

Donor-Advised Funds

Making a recommendation to allocate a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) gift to the Laboratory is simple. Please contact your DAF provider to initiate the gift. Fidelity, Schwab, and BNY Mellon DAF holders can easily recommend grants online via DAF Direct by clicking here.

Planned Giving

A planned gift to Bigelow Laboratory enables you to make a substantial donation in your name that will endure forever and support the mission of ocean discovery and science education.

Whether you choose to name us in your will, designate the Laboratory as a beneficiary of your retirement assets, or donate a life insurance policy you no longer need, leaving a lasting legacy is easy and helps you to realize significant financial and tax benefits. Read more about gift planning options here. Contact Jennifer Cutshall at jcutshall@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112 with any questions or fill out our online form here to request info or notify us of an existing planned gift.

Gifts of Personal Property

When you donate your valuable tangible personal property, such as a boat, vehicle, or real estate, you can receive a charitable deduction based on a fair appraisal and reduce or eliminate capital gains tax. All gifts are subject to the provisions outlined in our Gift Acceptance Policy.

Boat donations: We work with Block Island Maritime Funding to arrange donations of boats and subsequent sale with proceeds going to Bigelow Laboratory’s Annual Fund, supporting operations, outreach, and education programs. Block Island Maritime Funding is a non-profit corporation that promotes Boat Donation Programs at a variety of New England organizations. For more information, please contact dwilson@bigelow.org or (207) 315-2567 ext. 112.

Please note that Bigelow Laboratory cannot render tax or legal advice and we urge you to consult with your professional advisor about your situation before making a charitable gift.