Woody Guthrie certainly struck a chord with the American public when he penned these words. As school children, we committed the words to memory and our hearts throb with patriotic pride whenever we hear this song.
Land, what a significant four-letter word! When we think of our land, we see “purple mountain majesty” and “waves of golden grain.” We think of “shining seas, bountiful lakes and flowing rivers and streams.” Further, we think of large metropolitan areas, small villages and towns. There are “ribbons of highway” and “unending skyways” beneath us and above us. We think of a vast diversity of people, cultures and religions that make up the humanity of our land.
Land supports human, animal and vegetable life by providing shelter and food. Land offers oils and ores from below its surfaces. It allows us to build upon it, reshape it, travel over it or simply rest upon it in the shade of a tree, which the land sustains. Whether viewing it from space or from its many caves and caverns, it offers scenes that thrill our souls. Land is all of this and yet so sensitive that it requires our utmost care.
Though its very essence is natural, it is also very valuable monetarily. Wars are fought over its ownership and multiplied millions have died in order to retain and possess it. Even today, a hallmark of success is acquiring a little slice of it for ourselves. We buy it, sell it, trade it and, in the end, only a wee bit of it may become our final resting place.
Land, as a gift, has for centuries supported effective and useful services to humankind. Land has been given to universities, hospitals, churches and synagogues and numerous public facilities. Millions of acres of land have been donated to a wide range of organizations all around the world. Often, that land has been changed into cash which funds vast charitable services.
The Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) has been able to fund research for nearly 50 years, in part, due to gifts of land.
A gift of land not only benefits the recipient; there are numerous benefits to the donor of land as well. Donated land is removed from the tax roles and the giver has no further tax liability. In addition, as a gift to a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, land donated to DRF results in a large tax write-off. Depending on the value, the tax write-off may be extended throughout a period of years if the donor chooses.
Land makes a good gift regardless of whether it is developed and improved or has a home or other building on it. Any transfer of land involves much documentation but we can make this process as easy as a phone call. DRF is ready to provide full assistance with your donation of land or other property, including connecting you to realtors and legal counsel.
Or if you wish to donate land or property in a private and confidential manner, a realtor, financial planner or attorney in your own community can and will be happy to assist you. Just let them know that you want to donate your land and property to DRF and they will help you achieve your goal of supporting our vital research.
Land and property, in addition to all its wondrous natural qualities and the influence it possesses over men, also has the miraculous potential, via your gift, to provide better hearing to future generations.
We are ready, willing and able to provide the assistance you need to donate your land or property to fund research supported by the Deafness Research Foundation. Contact us today.
