Welcome to Mercy Learning Center • Bridgeport, CT

MAKING A PLANNED GIFT TO MLC
Planned gifts are a meaningful way to support Mercy Learning Center’s efforts to “Educate a woman…Educate a family.” MLC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity.

Private giving is critical to the success of MLC. Your gift will make a significant, direct impact on the lives of the students at MLC where 86% of your donation goes directly to our educational programs for low-income women and children.

There are many ways to give that not only help the students at MLC, but contribute to your own personal and financial goals. For more information or assistance on gift-giving options, please contact us or consult your advisors.

WAYS TO GIVE: Make Gifts Now

Cash Donations
Checks in any amount, payable to MLC, are gratefully accepted at any time. Donations postmarked on or before December 31 qualify as a charitable deduction for that calendar year. You can maximize your gift if you or your spouse’s employer has a Matching Gift Program. Please send the company's form with your gift. You’ll be credited with your gift and the matched amount.

Securities
Gifts of appreciated assets provide tax benefits to you and help MLC achieve its mission. Your donation of stock, bonds and mutual funds gives you a charitable deduction and avoids capital gains tax.

Tax-free Distribution from IRAs
If you have reached age 70½, you can make a tax-free distribution from your IRA to MLC this year. This charitable distribution must be made directly to MLC on or before December 31, 2007. There is a $100,000 limit and the distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution for the year.

Honorials/Memorials
A gift made in honor or in memory of someone is a unique way to acknowledge a special person and support MLC.

WAYS TO GIVE: Plan for Gifts in the Future

Bequests
Make a bequest to MLC in your will or trust. You can give a specific amount, specific assets, a percentage of your estate, or name MLC as the residuary beneficiary. Your bequest will be a charitable deduction to your estate.

Retirement Plans
Designate MLC as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k) or annuity. Because MLC is a charity, a gift made in this manner is free of income and estate taxes.

Life Insurance
Name MLC as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. If you transfer ownership of the insurance policy to MLC, you will receive a charitable deduction.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Fund a trust and receive a specified amount from the trust each year or for a defined period. When the trust ends, MLC will receive the remaining trust assets. You receive an income tax deduction for the present value of the amount that will pass to MLC. The trust is exempt from income tax.

Charitable Lead Trusts
The opposite of a charitable remainder trust, in that MLC will receive the income for a period of time and when the trust ends, the remaining assets will be given back to you or a family member. You will receive a charitable deduction for income, gift and estate tax purposes for the gift of the value of MLC’s income interest.

Donor Recognition
We are grateful for every gift we receive. Throughout the year, MLC thanks its individual donors in a number of ways for the important role they play. Our Annual Report lists every donor, based on giving levels. Major donors are listed in the Center’s newsletter. MLC hosts an annual President’s Luncheon for those who have made significant gifts during each year. Fundraising events can bear the name of a special donor. We would be happy to discuss these and other opportunities for recognition.

Your Gift Makes a Difference
With more than 34,000 illiterate individuals in the city of Bridgeport -- two-thirds of whom are women -- our literacy and life skills programs are more essential than ever.
A planned gift to Mercy Learning Center underscores your commitment to end illiteracy and poverty in the greater Bridgeport, Connecticut area. Your contribution is an investment in improving the lives of low-income women and children. Thank you for considering a planned gift that will benefit Mercy Learning Center and you.

For more information on planned giving or to make a donation, please contact Kathy Flynn Parisi, Mercy Learning Center’s Development Director.

Support Mercy Learning Center now by making a donation through Network for Good, the Internet's leading charitable resource. Click on the logo to support our efforts today!