The ACKCSC Health Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels through research funding, education, awareness, and community collaboration.
The ACKCSC Health Alliance has its own Trustees and is a separate entity from the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, also referred to as the ACKCSC. The ACKCSC, however, endorses and supports the ACKCSC Health Alliance and the work it does. IRS approval of the Trust means that it has been granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS and, therefore, contributions to the Trust are tax deductible; however, donors should consult with their tax advisors. As specified by the IRS, funds may only be accepted for “charitable purposes” which the IRS defines as “charitable, scientific, literary, cruelty to animals or educational purposes.”
All donors to the Trust will receive an acknowledgement letter specifying the amount of the donation made. For donations greater than $1,000.00, the Social Security number of the donor must be provided.
There are a variety of ways you can provide financial support to the Trust:
- Direct Cash Gifts: A donor may make a cash or check donation to the Trust. Keep in mind that many employers have Matching Gift programs which will double your donation.
- Direct Gifts of Goods or Property: A donor may offer property ranging from real estate to fine art or memorabilia. In these cases, an appraisal of the item(s) will be needed to establish value.
- Donations in Memoriam: A donor may make a gift in memoriam for a deceased Cavalier, a Cavalier-fancier, or family member. Such donations will be recognized in Trust website or publications as deemed appropriate by the Trust.
- Direct Gifts of Appreciated Securities: This method conserves the donor’s cash while helping to avoid capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated securities. The market value of the securities are deductible in the current year’s tax return; however, the donor should consult with their tax advisor.
- Direct Gifts of Life Insurance: If you have a life insurance policy that is no longer required, transferring the policy to the Trust may provide benefits for donor and the Trust. The Trust will ultimately collect the policy value and the donor may be entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the policy’s value; consult with your tax advisor.
- Wills: The donor may list the Trust as a beneficiary in their will. The distribution of the estate is then made at the donor’s death.
- Charitable Remainder Trusts (Gift Annunity): This technique allows the donor to contribute significant assets or securities to the Trust and to receive an income in exchange for the gift. For this type of gift, please ask for further detailed information. A description of this type of trust may be found here: What Is A Charitable Remainder Trust? – Forbes Advisor
What kinds of things can the Health Alliance support? The ACKCSC Health Alliance supports the following categories:
- Health Research: This is the primary use of funds, sponsoring research on specific health issues to provide solutions to health issues in our breed.
- Education: This is a broad category and may include, to name only a few possibilities, the costs for a Seminar speaker on a health issue, a Workshop Instructor for a performance event, or a Flyer on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for the general public.
- General Fund: This will provide for administrative costs (postage, printing of stationary, etc.) as well as funds that will be used by the Trustees to supplement the three categories of funds described above. Keep in mind, however, that the Trust is an all-volunteer organization, so administrative costs are minimal.
In all cases, a full Application for funds from the appropriate Committee/group /individual must be submitted to the Trustees for their review. The Trustees will make all final decisions regarding the use of Trust funds. Applications Forms are available upon request.
Please give serious thought to making a donation to the Health Alliance, and encourage your friends and clubs to support this worthy cause. Your gift can help the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the areas of education, health research, rescue and in many other ways.
For more information about how you can contribute to the Health Alliance, please contact: Mark Baillie, Trustee, at donations@cavalierhealthalliance.org.
How would you like to help the Cavalier Health Alliance?
Make a donation in memory of a special deceased animal or person
Make an significant impact with a relatively modest financial commitment.
Easily manage your contributions by setting them up on an automatic basis.
Make a one-time donation to help provide a healthy future for our Cavaliers.