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Establishing a recurring gift to the Council helps sustain Rhode Island’s humanities community. With the flexibility to make your gift monthly, quarterly, or annually you can make a big difference with the commitment that’s right for your budget and philanthropic goals. Make your donation using the form here, and select “monthly,” “quarterly,” or “annually” as the donation frequency.

The Pell Circle is a giving society of philanthropic leaders who increase the impact of the Council’s work in our state. 

Join a circle of leaders who believe in a vital public square, the value of our history and cultural heritage, and education that inspires critical thinking, connections, and creativity.

Benefits:

• Invitation to annual signature facilitated conversation with esteemed humanities speaker, as well as invitations to special activities when available 
• Personalized service through the Council’s development office
• Regular insider briefings on Council activities and current issues
• Quarterly mailing of Humanities, the Magazine of the National Endowment for the Humanities

​To become a Pell Circle member, individuals are united to make a cumulative gift of at least $2,500. Gifts pledged over multiple years are encouraged and help to establish stability and growth. Make your gift online here (link to giving platform). To learn more about joining the Pell Circle, contact Sophia Mackenzie at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.

If you are 70 ½ year old or older, you can make a gift to the Humanities Council directly from your IRA, and it will not count towards your taxable income for the year! It may also lower your Medicare premium. Even if you do not itemize, you can exclude from your gross income a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) made directly from your IRA. To qualify, the gift must be made directly from your IRA to the Council, and must clear your account by December 31 to be counted towards the current year’s taxes.

Individuals who are at least 70 ½ years of age may make a charitable contribution of up to $100,000 each year directly from their IRA to the Council without counting the transfer as income for federal income tax purposes. Married couples, where both spouses have traditional IRAs, can contribute up to $200,000 per couple while also satisfying their required IRA minimum distribution.For more information contact Sophia Mackenzie at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.

Giving through a Donor Advised Fund can provide you with favorable tax benefits and the flexibility to support the Council’s work when it’s convenient for you. We encourage you to consult with your financial or tax advisor to determine whether giving through a Donor Advised Fund is right for you. If needed by your Fund Administrator to process your gift, the Council’s identification number (EIN) is: 05-0376246. 

For more information contact Sophia at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.

Donations of stock incur no capital gains tax when given for charitable purposes. 

If you would like to donate appreciated stocks you can contact Harkins Wealth Management at contactus@harkinswealth.com. The DTC clearing number is 0226.

Once the gift has been transferred to our account, our bank will sell the shares and report the amount of the proceeds to the Humanities Council. We will send you a letter acknowledging your stock transfer. 

Be sure to let us know when you make a stock donation so we can accurately record the gift on your behalf.

For more information, contact Sophia Mackenzie at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401.273.2250.

Would you like to make sure that the Council is supported beyond your lifetime? By designating the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities as a beneficiary in your will or on your life insurance policies, your heirs can pay fewer estate taxes and you can leave a legacy too. Your legacy gift ensures that future generations of Rhode Islanders will inherit a more connected, creative, and civically minded state, and that they too will have opportunities to engage with meaningful programs, exhibits, conversations, and award-winning media that reflects the diversity of their home state.

Sample bequest language to share with your estate planner:

“I [name], of [city, state, zip], give, devise, and bequeath, the sum of $___ [dollar amount, percentage of estate, or residue of estate] to the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, an independent nonprofit as described in section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, whose current address is 131 Washington St, Ste 210, Providence, RI 02903, to be used for the benefit of the Humanities Council as the Council may determine.”

Please contact your attorney, accountant, financial planner, or insurance sales representative to find out how you can include the Council in your estate plans and contact Sophia Mackenzie at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.

The Council is eligible for United Way’s Open Donor Choice Program. If you give through United Way, please consider designating the Council (on your donation form) as your charity of choice.

Does your company match employee charitable contributions? Consider making a gift to the Council and asking your employee to match your contribution. Your company’s match will increase your impact.  

Make a gift in honor or memory of a family member, friend, or colleague.  

For more information, contact Sophia Mackenzie at sophia@rihumanities.org or 401-273-2250.

The Council hosts an annual Celebration of the Humanities each fall to honor leadership, creativity, innovation, and scholarship in Rhode Island and mark National Arts & Humanities Month. Proceeds from the event support culture, history, education, and civic engagement in our state. Consider attending and sponsoring our Celebration of the Humanities event this year.