Ways to Give

As a nonprofit organization, the Mianus River Gorge Preserve relies on the
generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporations to carry out its mission.
There are a number of ways you can help us be successful.  Scroll below for more
information on each.
  • Annual Appeal

  • Special Project or Fund Donations

  • Matching Gift Opportunities

  • Join the Anable Society

  • Land Donations

  • Bargain Sale of Land

  • Conservation Easements
This forest was saved from donations from
concerned citizens, foundations, and the
Town of Pound Ridge.  We also received
funds from The Nature Conservancy and
Environmental Conservation through its
NYS Conservation Partnership Program.
Give to the Annual Appeal

    Your support of our annual appeal is the lifeblood of the MRGP. Your donation will be put to good
    use, right where it is most needed. Typically, this support helps cover the cost of our research
    and educational programs, the care and management of the Preserve, and other general
    operating expenses. Donors can designate their support of particular projects or programs if
    they desire. As a supporter, you will receive a spring and fall newsletter, which contains articles
    that show how your dollars are at work.

If you are interested in becoming a supporter, please call or write to:

    Mianus River Gorge Preserve
    167 Mianus River Rd
    Bedford, NY 10506-1808
    (914) 234-3455
    rchristie@mianus.org


Give to a Special Project or Fund

    Land Fund - Contributions to the Land Fund are used specifically to purchase and/or protect
    priority parcels of land.

    Research and Education Programs - The MRGP conducts a number of research and education
    projects involving staff, graduate students, and high school technicians across numerous facets
    of ecological science. To learn more about each, please see our research page.



Matching Gift Opportunities

    Many business and foundations, generously match their employees financial contributions. This is
    an easy way to increase, sometimes double, your donation.



Join the Anable Society

    Gloria Anable (1901-1988) scientist, explorer and conservationist, was one of the five original
    founders of the Gorge whose vision and indefatigable spirit guided the evolution of MRGP for
    over three decades. In her memory, we have established the Anable Society to honor individuals
    who have made a provision in their estate planning to benefit MRGP. Including the MRGP in your
    will or other estate plans is a great way to provide a legacy of support for the Gorge while
    allowing you to make the most of an asset throughout your lifetime. We welcome your
    consideration of a qualifying gift at an appropriate time for you. In addition to cash, such gifts
    include conservation value land, a conservation restriction on land , or in some circumstances a
    gift of non-conservation value land that would be sold to fund our endowment.

    If you are interested in the Anable Society, please write Rod Christie, our Executive Director, at
    rchristie@mianus.org



Land Donations

    The donation of land for conservation purposes is one of the greatest legacies a person can leave
    future generations. It can result in a significant income tax deduction and substantial estate tax
    benefits. It may eliminate costly capital gains taxes associated with the sale of the land, and it
    may even be structured in such a way as to allow you to continue to live on the property. Some
    examples of the vehicles for donating land are:

    Outright gift – This is easiest and provides an immediate tax deduction for the donor.

    Reserved Life Estate – This mechanism allows you to donate your land while continuing to live
    on it before passing on to a land trust. It is even possible to use this technique to pass land to
    an heir and then have it ultimately pass to the Gorge.

    Donating land by will – One way to insure your land will be protected after your death is by
    donating it in your will.



Bargain Sale of Land

    This option allows you to realize some immediate income from the sale of your land while making
    it possible for a not-for-profit organization like the Mianus River Gorge Preserve to purchase it.
    You sell your land for less than the fair market value and in the process avoid some capital gains
    tax and get an income tax deduction.



Conservation Easements

    The MRGP also has over 170 acres of conservation easements in the Mianus Watershed. A
    conservation easement is a flexible tool by which you can protect certain natural, historic or
    scenic features of your property while still maintaining ownership. It is a legal agreement between
    you and a land organization, like the Gorge, that restricts what you can and can’t do on all or
    part of your property. The degree of restriction is up to you and the holding organization. Since
    you still own it, you can continue to use the land, sell it or pass it on to heirs. In addition, if the
    easement meets the Federal tax code requirements, it can result in a potentially significant
    income tax deduction, a reduction in estate taxes and a possible property tax reduction as well.
    The easement can be donated during life or by will and can help substantially reduce estate taxes
    for your heirs. Once established, the easement runs with the land to protect it in perpetuity.
    Please remember that you should always check with your tax advisor to fin out what type of gift
    is best for your situation.

    If you are interested in any of our land donation methods, please write Rod Christie, our
    Executive Director, at rchristie@mianus.org





The Mianus River Gorge Preserve, Inc., is a New York Not-For-Profit Corporation and is recognized by the Internal
Revenue Service as a publicly supported, tax-exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3).

Please remember that you should always check with your tax advisor to find out what type of gift is best for your
situation.

The Nature Conservancy is a close land partner of the Gorge, but does not provide any financial support.
*MIANUS RIVER GORGE PRESERVE, INC. has partnered with Network for
Good to securely process your online credit card donation via the Network for
Good Donor Advised Fund.  This transaction will appear on your credit card
statement as "Network for Good".  Please be assured that your donation will
only be used to support the Mianus River Gorge Preserve.
2009 Annual Report