Join a community committed to conservation. Your contribution makes a holistic approach to land use, land management and land conservation possible. Together, we’ve helped to permanently protect more than 430,000 acres, strengthen conservation initiatives and legislation in Richmond and Washington, and maintain a communications network that empowers thousands to make their voice heard at the local, state and federal level, on a broad range of issues.
Membership is just $40. Make a secure, tax-deductible donation online using the Join or Renew option. Already a member? Consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor or giving an additional one-time gift to help further strengthen conservation efforts across the region. You might also give a PEC membership to a friend or loved one.
To donate by check, including IRA/QCD transfers, please make it out to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to PO Box 460, Warrenton VA, 20188. If you’d like your contribution to be restricted to a specific program area, please specify in the memo line or in an accompanying note.
To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact Kendra Atkins at 540.347.2334 ext. 7005.
Gift of Cash
If you want to help The Piedmont Environmental Council today and maximize your charitable deduction, consider making your gift with cash. Cash is the simplest asset to donate, and also the easiest for us to accept and quickly put to good use.
Make your cash gift online, via a check or money order, PayPal, a credit card or a wire transfer. Mailed donations can be sent directly to PO Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188.
Wire Transfer
The Piedmont Environmental Council accepts donations via ACH and wire transfer. Account#: 0005137673071 Routing/ABA#: 051404260. Please follow up on an ACH by contacting Kendra Atkins at katkins@pecva.org or 540.347.2334 ext. 7005 so that we know who has donated!
Donor Advised Funds (DAF)
PEC is happy to accept contributions from donor-advised funds. These funds are created with a financial institution and allow the donor to receive an immediate charitable tax deduction when the fund is established. Subsequent contributions to qualified charities can then be made from this fund.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from your IRA
For those 70 1⁄2 or older, a QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity. QCDs can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) for the year, as long as certain rules are met. When you make this direct distribution to a nonprofit like PEC, it’s not included in your taxable income.
Appreciated Stocks and Securities
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds is quick and simple and may provide you with significant tax benefits. When you give appreciated securities, you may receive an immediate tax deduction and savings on capital gains taxes.
Benefits:
- You receive gift credit and an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them.
- You pay no capital gains tax on the securities you donate.
- You can direct your gift to a specific fund or purpose.
How to contribute gifts of securities
When giving securities, be sure to consult with your financial advisors. Let us know that the gift is coming, and what program or specific fund you would like us to apply it to. Contact us for detailed instructions: pec@pecva.org or 540-347-2334.
Securities held by your broker
Inform your broker in writing that you wish to give appreciated securities to The Piedmont Environmental Council. Be sure to let the broker know when you’d like the transfer made.
Certificates held by you
If you hold the actual stock certificates, you will need to sign a stock power form for each certificate you contribute. You may obtain a stock power from any broker or financial institution. When you sign the power, be sure to sign your name precisely as it appears on the certificate. For example, if you are listed as John P. Smith on the certificate, sign it John P. Smith.
Please note: Many financial institutions do not provide complete donor information when sending a contribution so we ask that you let our Advancement Assistant Kendra Atkins know via email at katkins@pecva.org, or call (540) 347-2334 ext. 7005 so that we can properly acknowledge your gift and make sure it is allocated according to your instructions.
Gifting a PEC membership to a friend or loved one is a heartwarming gesture. An annual membership begins at $40 per year. Please be sure to provide your recipient’s contact information so they can enjoy all of their membership benefits.
With a donation of $100 or more, your recipient can choose to be listed in our Annual Report.
Please use the form below to give a secure, tax-deductible donation. If you would like to mail your gift, please make your check to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kendra Atkins at katkins@pecva.org or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005 with any questions or to make a gift of membership over the phone.
Demonstrate your company’s commitment to promoting and protecting the natural resources, rural economy, history and beauty of the Virginia Piedmont. Corporate partners receive such benefits as visibility in the community, client appreciation opportunities, volunteer opportunities, invitations to special events and special recognition in printed materials.
PEC is a leader — empowering citizens to protect what makes the Piedmont a wonderful place and encouraging them to pursue a positive vision for the region’s future. Become a leader today to ensure that the Piedmont continues to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
All corporate partnerships can be customized. For more information please contact Nora Seilheimer at nseilheimer@pecva.org or 540-347-2334 extension 7008.
A recurring gift is a wonderful way to support PEC’s mission all year long. Please use the form below to give a secure, tax-deductible monthly donation. By electing to become a sustaining donor, your credit or debit card will be charged an amount of your choosing on the same day of each month.
Annual membership begins at $40 per year. With a donation of $100 or more, your recipient can choose to be listed in our Annual Report.
You can change or cancel your monthly pledge at any time by visiting our secure self-service portal or by contacting Kendra Atkins at katkins@pecva.org or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005. If a monthly commitment is not the right choice for you at this time, please consider making a one-time gift.
If you would like to mail your gift, please make your check to “The Piedmont Environmental Council” and mail it to P.O. Box 460, Warrenton, VA 20188. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kendra Atkins at katkins@pecva.org or at 540-347-2334 ext. 7005 with any questions or to make a gift of membership over the phone.
Help secure the future of the Piedmont through a charitable bequest. Bequests are gifts made through a will or trust that can help you achieve your financial and philanthropic goals, increase your giving options and maximize tax benefits. A bequest is also a way to leave a legacy of protecting the Piedmont for future generations. By including The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) in your estate plan, you will help ensure that the Virginia Piedmont remains a beautiful and productive place to live, work and visit for generations to come.
Choose a bequest that fits your goals
Charitable bequests can take many different forms, so it is important to plan your bequest in a way that will best accomplish your goals. Your attorney can help you consider what type of bequest fits your overall estate plan, family commitments, and charitable goals. Some common types of bequests include:
- Specific bequest – A specific dollar amount or asset
- Residuary bequest – All or a percentage of the remainder of the estate after expenses have been paid.
- Contingent bequest – A gift to PEC only in the event of the death of other named beneficiaries.
- Testamentary trust – Combines multiple goals and long-term asset management, usually giving lifetime income to family members and the trust remainder to PEC.
You may designate a bequest for a specific PEC project such as land conservation or education. Or you can choose to make an unrestricted gift, which allows PEC to respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise and to fulfill our core mission over the long term.
Become part of the Bill Backer Legacy Society
To express our sincere appreciation to those who commit to leaving a gift in their will, The Piedmont Environmental Council offers membership in the Bill Backer Legacy Society. As a Bill Backer Legacy Society member, you will enjoy special privileges and opportunities along with the satisfaction of knowing that you play a significant role in preserving the Piedmont.
Society members are recognized each year in the PEC annual report and receive regular updates on PEC activities. Members also have the opportunity to include their name on a memorial plaque located at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook on Paris Mountain, which will remain in place for future generations.
Our legacy society is named for the avid conservationist and former Piedmont Foundation President Bill Backer. Beginning in the 1960s, Bill recognized the potential for loss of the Virginia countryside to sprawling development. He rallied concerned citizens to participate in early efforts to plan for future growth and conservation in Virginia.
How to name PEC in your will
It is important to schedule a meeting with your attorney and add the correct legal language to your document when updating your will.
If you wish to name The Piedmont Environmental Council in your will or estate plan, we should be named “The Piedmont Environmental Council, a charitable organization organized under Virginia law, now maintaining its headquarters in Warrenton, Virginia. Tax ID #54-0935569”.
If you have already included The Piedmont Environmental Council in your will or estate plans or would like more information about how to do so, please contact us by email at pec@pecva.org or by calling (540) 347-2334.
All requests for anonymity will be honored and all inquiries are confidential with no obligation. This is an indication of your intent to leave a future gift. An intention is neither a legal nor binding commitment; rather, it is a courtesy notification of your desire to make a future gift to PEC.
The Piedmont Environmental Council is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 54-0935569) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Transactions through our website are considered as donations or event registrations, and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Piedmont Environmental Council has a written donor privacy policy, which states unambiguously that 1) it will not sell, trade or share a donor’s personal information with anyone or any outside organizations, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations, unless engaged in a joint venture with The Piedmont Environmental Council or 2) it will only share personal information once the donor has given the charity specific permission to do so.
