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Support Student Success

with a Donation

Gifts to the Mary Lyon Foundation are completely customizable. You may make a one-time gift or pledge over 3-5 years. Some choose to make a gift every year. Individuals who include the Foundation in their estate plans will be welcomed into the Putnam Hill Legacy Society.

All donations can be allocated to your fund of choice:

  • General Support: Supporting the Foundation wherever it is needed the most.
  • Student Assistance Fund: Providing eyeglasses, groceries, clothes, shoes, and prescriptions.
  • Literacy Program: Providing books to promote literacy.
  • Educator Assistance Program: Supporting innovative teaching practices & professional development.
  • Emergency Fund: Providing support for students & families who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

ways to

Give

Cash Gifts:

Make your gift online at www.marylyonfoundation.org.

Send your check made payable to the Mary Lyon Foundation and mail to:
Mary Lyon Foundation
PO Box 184
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

Pledges:

You can increase your gift with a multi-year pledge. We can craft a pledge form tailored to your gift and mail it to you for your signature. Pledge reminders are sent twice a year for your convenience. Please call our office at (413) 625-2555 for help.

Securities:

We accept gifts of securities. For those who take itemized deductions on their tax returns, a gift of securities creates a charitable deduction. Gift of shares held for at least one year will not have capital gains tax owed.

Real Estate:

The Mary Lyon Foundation accepts gifts of real estate such as a primary residence, vacation home, farm, commercial building, a subdivision lot, undeveloped property, or a fractional interest in the property. Alternatively, you may make a gift of your vacation home or primary residence and reserve the right to occupy or rent it for the rest of your life.

Putnam Hill Legacy Society: 

A gift from your estate is a meaningful way to extend your generosity beyond your lifetime. Your gift can be for a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. Naming us as one of the beneficiaries of a life insurance policy, IRA, 401(k), or other retirement or investment account can be a tax-savvy way of giving. Please consider including us in your plans for any amount and let us know so we can welcome you into the Putnam Hill Legacy Society.

For all of your gift needs, please call Executive Director Kristen-Tillona Baker at (413) 625-2555 or email her at [email protected].

Minimum Qualified Distribution: The qualified charitable distribution (QCD) rule allows traditional individual retirement account (IRA) owners to deduct their required minimum distributions (RMDs) on their tax returns if they give the money to a charity. The rule can effectively reduce your income taxes by lowering your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Are you able to do more?

Volunteer with us

Our volunteers are at the heart of our programming. They are the lifelines of our programming. Without them, we would be unable to make a difference in our community's children, families, and educators. Because of the commitment of our volunteers, we deliver groceries to 130 people every other Tuesday.

Are you interested in making a difference in our community? Do you have a particular skill to offer?

Some of the ways in which you can volunteer at the Mary Lyon Foundation:

  • Assist with our food delivery program
  • Write grants for the Foundation
  • Assist with event planning
  • Serve on our Fundraising Committee
  • Serve on our Board of Trustees
  • Serve on our Finance Committee
  • Help in the office

To talk about volunteer opportunities, please complete the form below or email us at [email protected].

Volunteer