A letter to our supporters
For Iowans like you, who care deeply about clean air, clean water, climate change, and our wild and scenic places, protecting the environment is challenging. The Sierra Club has been active for over 130 years, and we've witnessed our fair share of awful, anti-environmental leadership and destructive projects. Our resolve is stronger than ever.
With the help of folks like you, we are here to defend our lands, skies, and water. It is crucial to let your elected officials know where you stand on environmental issues. It is necessary that you write letters to the editor about environmental concerns. Don't be afraid to call into talk radio and challenge anti-environmental sentiments.
This effort is not easy and requires financial support from our members. The Iowa Chapter is uniquely positioned to be the organization in Iowa to take on this important challenge. We count on folks like you to support our efforts. Thank you for all of your generosity and dedication to protecting Iowa. And don't forget to spend time enjoying the natural areas that we have protected in Iowa and the rest of the country.
Ways to Donate to the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club
To make a non-deductible donation
Contributions, gifts, and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax-deductible; they support the Sierra Club's effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. When you donate to the Iowa Chapter, all of your donation stays in Iowa. Make your non-deductible donation with a credit card gift today.
If you prefer, a non-deductible check can be written to the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter and mailed to:
Treasurer
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
PO Box 1058
Marion, IA 52302
To make a deductible donation
Contributions and gifts to the Sierra Club Foundation are tax-deductible as charitable contributions as they support grants for public education, research and public interest litigation necessary to further the Sierra Club's conservation goals. When you donate to the Sierra Club Fundation Iowa Chapter Fund, all of your donation is used for conservation work in Iowa. Click this link to make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card.
If you prefer, a deductible contribution can be written to the Sierra Club Foundation with “Iowa Chapter” written in the memo line and mailed to:
Treasurer
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
PO Box 1058
Marion, IA 52302
Resources for Planning for the Future
The Iowa Chapter has three resources to assist you in planning for the future - one pagers about giving via Donor Advised Funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and planned gifts.
The flyer Donor Advised Funds (aka DAF) covers basics of Donor Advised Funds and how an individual can designate support specifically to the Iowa Chapter.
The flyer Giving through an IRA covers how to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (aka QCD) and how it can be directed to the Iowa Chapter.
The flyer Plan Today Protect Tomorrow covers the basics of planned giving, including bequest language to make a gift to the Iowa Chapter.
If you need assistance, contact Julia Curtis at 800-932-4270, giftplanning@sierraclub.org .
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions Can Benefit the Iowa Chapter
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, also referred to as Charitable IRA Rollovers or IRA QCDs, are a way to support the Sierra Club Foundation and the Iowa Chapter as a qualifying charity without incurring federal income tax liability.
To be tax-free, the donation must go directly from your IRA account to the Sierra Club Foundation without passing through your hands. Don’t deposit the distribution into your personal bank account or it will not qualify as a charitable distribution and will be treated as taxable.
To Qualify:
You must be 70 ½ years or older when the gift is transferred.
You may transfer up to a maximum of $108,000 to qualified charities per year. Gifts must be made by December 31 of each year.
If you are a joint tax filer, your spouse can also give $108,000 per year if he or she is over 70 ½ and has an IRA.
This only applies to eligible individual retirement accounts and does not apply to group plans, 401(k) plans, or 403(b) plans.
Additional Considerations:
Certain states may not exclude gift amounts withdrawn from an IRA for state income tax purposes.
If you reach are 73 or older, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution.
How To Make a Gift:
To make a gift from your IRA to the Sierra Club Foundation, contact your IRA administrator to arrange a direct transfer from your account. The check should be made payable to the Sierra Club Foundation and include "Iowa Chapter" on the memo line. You can download a sample letter to your IRA administrator here. We strongly recommend you instruct your broker to include your name and address with the check. The gift should be mailed to:
Sierra Club Foundation
2101 Webster Street, Suite 1350
Oakland, CA 94612
Please note that the Sierra Club, as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, is not eligible to receive IRA charitable rollovers. Confirm with your IRA custodian that your IRA charitable rollover is made payable directly to the Sierra Club Foundation as the qualifying 501(c)(3) public charity.
The Sierra Club Foundation does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your own professional tax or legal advisor before making any charitable gift decision based on this information.
For more information, see https://www.sierraclubfoundation.org/ira-qualified-charitable-distributions
Donate your used vehicle
As the Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter continues to raise charitable funds to support its work in Iowa, won’t you consider participating in our vehicle donation program? Our partners over at CARS have made the process of donating your unused or unneeded car, truck, motorcycle, boat or RV easy, efficient and secure. They’ll take care of everything from the pick up of your vehicle to sending you a tax receipt for your generous gift. To learn more about The Sierra Club Foundation's Iowa Chapter vehicle donation program, please call 844-674-3772 or visit scfch.careasy.org.
Sierra Club Foundation promotes climate solutions, conservation, and movement building through a powerful combination of strategic philanthropy and grassroots advocacy. The Foundation is the fiscal sponsor of Sierra Club’s charitable environmental programs.
For more information
Planned giving
Ensure your environmental legacy by naming the Iowa Chapter in your will or trust. These gifts cost you nothing now. You can hold onto your assets for as long as you need them.
