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Anglers of the Au Sable
  • Home
  • Become a Member
  • Donate
  • River Conditions
  • Events and Projects
  • Who We Are
  • History
  • Youth
  • Data Library
  • Member Sign-In

Donate

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Giving Options

Invest in the Au Sable Watershed’s Future

It takes money to protect the river and enhance its habitat. To block the development of the Grayling fish farm, we had to hire lawyers and expert witnesses. To track water levels and water quality conditions, we’ve bought, installed and monitored stations throughout the watershed. To slow erosion, we work with other groups to put in steps. Emptying sand traps. Building new habitat. Sponsoring the cleanup.

It all adds up. That’s why we need your help. Individuals, corporations, foundations and trusts can make a difference. And if you want your donation to go specifically to habitat improvement, you can earmark a contribution to the Rusty Gates Memorial Fund, with proceeds used just for that purpose.

If you have questions about making a donation of any kind, please email Anglers’ Board member Josh Greenberg at Josh@GatesLodge.com.

The Gates Conservation Endowment Fund
Named for Anglers’ principal founder and guiding light, Rusty Gates, this Fund is a reserve of money dedicated to a principal focus and function of Anglers – improving the Au Sable River for trout. Its initial funding came from donations in memory of Rusty Gates, his work and dedication to our River. Anglers started the fund with more than $60,000 in 2020 for the first phase of a major project to restore fish-holding structure on the North Branch near the Dam Four site. Much more needs to be done. The Anglers’ recently committed to investing in the River a minimum of $50,000 per year for the next 10 years. That’s only possible with support from our members. Contributors to the Gates Conservation Endowment Fund can be assured that every dollar they donate, principal and interest will be invested into the River.
Traditional Donations

Anyone make a one-time donation to the Anglers, or choose to make a recurring annual donation. You don’t even need to be a member!

To make a donation to the Anglers, use the online Make a Donation form.
You may also choose to honor a spouse, family member or friend who has passed away by making a donation to the Anglers in their memory. Just check the Memorial Gift opportunity and add the person’s name.

(MAKE A DONATION FORM)

Amazon Smile

Turn your next Amazon purchase into an Anglers of the Au Sable donation through the Amazon Smiles program. You can have 0.5% of your purchase price automatically donated to the Anglers. There is no cost to you.

To enroll, go to smile.amazon.com and enter “Anglers of the Au Sable”. You’ll be enrolled, and Anglers will benefit.

Trusts

Charitable Remainder Unitrusts

An irrevocable gift that may be funded with cash or appreciated assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, tangible personal property). Charitable Remainder Unitrust specifies that income beneficiary (recipient) is to receive annual payments determined by multiplying a fixed percentage (which cannot be less than 5%) by the net fair market value of the trust assets, as determined each year. On death of beneficiary (or survivor beneficiary, if more than one,) charity gets the remainder. Tax benefits include charitable income tax deduction, capital gains tax avoidance, and estate tax reduction.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts

An irrevocable gift that may be funded with cash or appreciated assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, tangible personal property). Specifies a fixed dollar amount (at least 5% of initial fair market value of transferred property), which is to be paid annually to income beneficiary (recipient for life). On death of beneficiary (or survivor beneficiary, if more than one) charity gets the remainder. Tax benefits include charitable income tax deduction, capital gains tax avoidance, and estate tax reduction.

Charitable Lead Trusts

An irrevocable gift that may be funded with cash or appreciated assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, tangible personal property). Similar to charitable remainder trust, however, payments are made to charity for a life or a predetermined number of years. Remainder interest is paid to family members or other non-charity remainder persons. Tax benefits include possible charitable income tax deduction and possible estate and gift tax reduction.

If you have questions about making a donation, please email Anglers’ Board member Neil Wallace at newall@aol.com.

Donations through Estate Planning and Trust

Life Estate Gifts

Donor can obtain income and tax benefits by making an irrevocable charitable gift of his personal residence or farm even though he or she retains the right to use the property for life. A life estate may be retained for one or more lives, or may be retained for a term of years. Tax benefits include capital gains avoidance, charitable income tax deduction, and estate tax reduction.

Bequests

The most common type of planned gift. A bequest is a gift through your will that can be either a fixed amount or a percentage of testamentary assets. It can be directed to family, friends, charitable organizations, etc.

  • Testamentary charitable bequests can be made outright or structured using any of the gifting methods discussed above
  • A specific bequest of a dollar amount.
  • A specific bequest of a percentage amount.
  • A bequest of the “residue” of the estate (what’s left after specific bequests).
  • A bequest of income to charity for a term of years via a trust that ultimately is distributed to heirs (such as grandchildren, etc.)
  • A bequest of income to family via a trust with the trust remainder ultimately going to charity.
  • A bequest to family of the right to use property (such as house or farm) with the property ultimately going to charity.

 

Charitable Gifts of Life Insurance

Life insurance has always been an integral part of the comprehensive estate plan. From this ever innovative industry, life insurance has become a valuable asset within the overall financial portfolio now offering competitive rates and as much utility as other assets. Life insurance figures prominently in charitable gift planning as well. Often utilized in wealth replacement estate plans, life insurance policies can also directly benefit charity. With little out-of-pocket expense to donor, a charitable gift of life insurance can provide significantly to charity through an outright gift of a paid-up policy or an outright gift of a whole life policy.

Outright Gift of Paid-Up Life Insurance Policy

A gift of a paid-up life insurance policy can be made by naming the charity as beneficiary and transferring ownership of the policy to the named charity. The donor receives a charitable contribution deduction for the replacement cost of the policy at the time of the gift. Transferring ownership of the policy to charity may reduce a donor’s estate thus avoiding federal estate taxation of the asset. Charity can cash the policy at any time or receive the full death proceeds at donor’s passing free of income or estate taxes.

Outright Gift of a Whole Life Policy

Donor purchases policy naming charity as beneficiary and subsequently transfers ownership of the policy to charity. Donor gives amount equal to annual premium to charity and charity in turn pays the premiums. The gift is made on an “installment” plan and Donor receives a charitable contribution deduction for each annual gift. Gift is not part of Donor’s taxable estate, and therefore avoids federal estate tax. Gift goes directly to charity and is not subject to probate or attachment by heirs.
If you have questions about making a donation, please email Anglers’ Board member Neil Wallace at newall@aol.com.

20th Au Sable River Cleanup

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About Us

The Anglers of the Au Sable are a 1100-member strong, 501(c)(3) environmental conservation organization founded in Grayling, Michigan, on January 18, 1987. There is no paid staff. Our client is the Au Sable River and its natural and recreational environs, including the neighboring Manistee River.

Contact Anglers of the Au Sable

  • Anglers of the Au Sable
  • P. O. Box 200 • Grayling, MI 49738
  • membership@ausableanglers.org

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Our Mission

To preserve, protect and enhance the Au Sable River System for future generations of fly fishers.

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