Other Ways to Give

Credit: Bill Lynch

Support Our Efforts by Becoming a Member

An annual membership includes free admission to many of our fantastic events, including exclusive hikes and educational seminars, as well as a subscription to our biannual print newsletter. But most importantly, a membership in GSWA ensures that we will be able to continue our important work of monitoring and protecting the Great Swamp Watershed and Passaic River. Annual giving is one of our primary funding sources and is absolutely critical to our success. To make a contribution, send a check to GSWA, P.O. Box 300, New Vernon, NJ 07976, or to make a donation online, click here.

Become a Sustaining Member

We love our sustaining members! When you become a sustaining member, your credit or debit card will automatically be billed each month for as long as you’d like. This helps reduce our paper mailing costs and makes our organization more sustainable, both environmentally and financially.

Preserve Land

GSWA encourages contributions of land, both to GSWA and to other local land preservation organizations. In most cases, individuals, corporations, or other entities that contribute land can obtain a tax deduction in the process. For more complete information and advice, consult your attorney or estate planner. Please contact our Executive Director, Sally Rubin, at (973) 538-3500 or via email at srubin@greatswamp.org if you’re interested in preserving land.

Make a Gift Through Your Will and Estate Plans

Providing for GSWA in your will, living trust, or other estate plan represents a gift that will help us preserve and protect the Great Swamp Watershed and Passaic River long into the future. There are several types of bequests, each with its own benefits. For more complete information and advice, consult your attorney or estate planner.

Contribute to Our Endowment Fund, a Gift That Keeps Giving

Our endowment fund was established in 1997, based on a generous gift from the Cassa family of Chatham Township. The fund provides an additional source of income to supplement annual giving, fundraising events, and grant awards, all of which can fluctuate with the economy and consumer confidence. To make a contribution, send a check to GSWA, P.O. Box 300, New Vernon, NJ 07976, with endowment noted in the memo line.

Contribute Appreciated Securities

If you would like to contribute to GSWA and you own appreciated securities (that is, stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have increased in value during your ownership) in a taxable account, you can most likely avoid capital gains taxes and get a deduction based on the current market value of your contribution (rather than your cost) by contributing appreciated securities. For more complete information and advice, consult your financial adviser.

Create a Deferred Annuity

A deferred gift annuity can help you provide income for yourself and others during your retirement years while making an important gift to GSWA. For more complete information and advice, consult your financial adviser.

Create a Charitable Remainder Unitrust

A charitable remainder unitrust can be created through a minimum gift to GSWA of $50,000 for trusts established with cash or securities, and $100,000 for trusts established with real estate. For more complete information and advice, consult your financial adviser or estate planner.

Foundational and Corporation Support

We have enjoyed significant support on both a restricted and unrestricted basis from a wide variety of foundations and corporations, and will be delighted to document our track record, as well as the need for current support. Foundations and corporations interested in exploring opportunities to support our efforts are encouraged to contact our Director of Institutional Relations, Lynne Applebaum, at lapplebaum@greatswamp.org or by calling (973) 538-3500.