Editorial

Supporting cultural trust pretty painless

The Gresham Outlook, Dec 15, 2009, Updated Dec 23, 2009

Dec. 31 is nearing, and in addition to the holidays and the New Year, it’s also time to think about taxes — specifically, how you can support a worthy cause in East Multnomah or Clackamas County and get a chunk of money knocked off your 2009 tax liability.

The Oregon Cultural Trust is a program that isn’t as well known as it should be. It has laudable goals — including the enhancement and preservation of arts and culture in Oregon. But it also has a unique tax advantage that should make it of special interest at this time of year: For every dollar contributed to the trust (up to $500 per individual), the donor gets an equal amount removed from his or her Oregon taxes — an actual tax credit, not a deduction.

That in itself is an incentive to donate toward a richer arts and cultural scene in Oregon, but the real reason to give is the opportunity to support valuable organizations in your own community. Before making a gift to the trust, participants must first contribute to a local group that’s aligned with the trust. So, for example, if you give $250 to the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, Sandy Actors Theatre, Sandy Historical Society, Gresham Historical Society or Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre, you can give $250 to the trust and claim your $250 tax credit.

Investing in culture doesn’t get any more painless than that — and the above examples are just a few of the local groups that qualify for such donations. The only catch is that you have to hurry. Donations must be made by midnight Dec. 31 to qualify for this year’s tax returns. Find out more information at www.culturaltrust.org, or by calling 503-986-0088.

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