Charitable Giving Information

Posts Tagged ‘Donation’

Donations Pick Up Denver

For those struggling with the metaphorical question—which came first, the chicken or the egg?—the answer is nigh for some folks living in Boulder, CO: it’s neither the chicken nor the egg; it’s metal.

The Children, Youth, and Environments Center for Research and Design at the University of Colorado has collaborated with Boulder County Going Local and the Institute for Intentionally Sustainable Neighborhoods to launch Urban Hens in Boulder.

The Urban Hens project seeks to develop a sustainable model for establishing chickens in urban settings.  Backyard chickens can provide a healthy, local food source and bring a not-so-new dimension to homes, schools, and communities seeking sustainability. The goal of the three organizations is to strengthen and enhance communities through collaboration, education, and sustainable solutions.

The sustainable solution used to house the hens is a prefabricated arched structure made of corrugated metal, designed to offer people room to stand inside for easy access to the five-plus birds that are kept in the metal pole barn.

“My students decided to investigate prefabrication, and combined with our historic precedent research, we quickly discovered Quonset huts,” says Rob Pyatt, who teaches the university’s Environmental Design students about basic design, construction systems, and community engagement. “We also liked the material efficiency with using a relatively light-gauge steel combined with the structural stability of the geometry (arch).”

The first Urban Hens metal barn building, which was built in Pyatt’s backyard, took three weekends to construct. During this time, Pyatt walked his student crew step-by-step through the construction process. “That {time frame} is based on what we are teaching—slab, metal, framing, etc.,” says Pyatt. “It’s pretty simple and efficient! We worked with SteelMaster Buildings (based in Virginia Beach, VA) to create the buildings, which are elegant and have been well received.”

The metal barn is equipped with horizontal wooden slats which provide both shade and ventilation. Sand covers the floor for easy clean up, and the fully-enclosed structure is firmly bolted to a concrete slab so it will not tip over.

Outside of Pyatt’s backyard, Urban Hens recently installed its first two coops, one at Shawnee Gardens assisted-living center in Boulder and one at a North Boulder cooperative residential community. They have grant funding for three more coops, one of which is planned for Park Hill Elementary School in Denver. The student crew is scheduled to start the installation in mid-September at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art as part of a three-month exhibition. Once that has concluded, the coop will be relocated to the elementary school.

Urban Hens plans to design and sell chicken-coop kits across the country based on Pyatt and his students’ design, with proceeds allowing them to donate built coops to low-income neighborhoods and community organizations.

Andy Garcia in Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead

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Value Donations Goodwill

Question: I heard that now you have to itemize your donated items to Goodwill to get tax credit. Is that true?

We used to just take a carload of stuff to Goodwill and just estimate the overall value but now I heard you have to itemize every single thing to qualify for tax credit. I’ve got a bunch of stuff and would like to know this answer before dropping it off at a donation center.

Answer: You don't really have to but it would be a good idea if you donate a lot. "a lot" would have to be checked with the IRS and your state.

Donate to Goodwill

Salvation Army Donations Value

Question: Can I use my furniture donation as a tax deduction?

I have been trying to sell my 8-yr old used bedroom furniture and it’s not going. I am thinking of just donating it to the Salvation Army. Can this be used as a tax deduction? On their site, it says the normal value of full bedroom sets is $250-$1,000, and I am asking $600. What is the procedure? Is this worth it?

Answer: Certainly. You would go by thrift shop value. When you donate it, ask for a donation receipt with the donated value, to use for preparing your income taxes. Anything that gets the taxes down is definitely worth it!

Man Steals Salvation Army Kettle & Assaults Ringer, Woods Update + More

Car Donations Salvation Army

Question: How do you know your christmas donations are going to the starving and homeless?

and not to greedy managers that you hear so negatively about, , i want to donate to the salvation army or some other charity to feed the homeless at christmas, but unless i can go out personally and hand them the money or food, how do i REALLY know if its going to good use, ive heard some horror stories that the managers drive around in flashy cars (maybe not the salvation army) but it has been documented that only 15% of any donating goes to the actual people mostly needs it. is it a con, how do you actually know where its going. in proof.

Answer: For Thanksgiving, I donated to a family that lives near by. I know the father lost his job, mother has health problems and they have kids of various ages. I did up a big box with a turkey and all the fixings and threw in a bunch of things for them to at least have a nice dinner. Not knowing how to give it, I simply knocked on their door the Monday before Thanksgiving and told them I had all this extra food I didn't need and wanted them to have it. They were so grateful and happy. For Christmas, I'm going to do the same. I know it will be useful, needed items going to a family that I know really needs the help. I learned that this is the true spirit of Christmas. My husband and I no longer give each other gifts. We have what we need and want the folks in need to at least have a happy holiday. So, if you personally know of a family near by in need.......and that could be as close as your next door neighbor these days, help them out. This way you KNOW where it is going and to those who really need it. I see their kids could use new winter coats. So, I got their sizes and will buy that for them, along with a few items I know the whole family will enjoy. I never felt my money more well spent. Merry and blessed Christmas to you and your family.

Car Donations - Salvation Army auto donations

Furniture Donations To Salvation Army

Question: Salvation Army in my city…picks up donations of furniture and then….?

instead of putting most of it out on the floor of their thrift store for poor people to buy…they sell best pickings, when the truck comes in, to a lady running a second hand furniture store?

I just think its not right. I know they need to make money, but isnt that the point of running their thirft store. What do you think?

Answer: they just try to make money the fastest way they can then spend it on the people they help
it may not seem right the way they do it but it works for them to help as fast as they can
talk to them they will explain the way they work to help as best as they can

Salvation Army Thrift Store in Lake Worth & West Palm Beach