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For Immediate Release For more information contact: Oregon Leaders Call for Support For The Oregon Cultural Trust In the past week, some of Oregon's highest elected officials and editorial boards have announced their overwhelming support of the Oregon Cultural Trust. Governor Ted Kulongoski asked Oregonians to "Join me in giving the gift that grows by making a gift to the Cultural Trust before December 31st." Secretary of State Bill Bradbury said, "Every investment in the Cultural Trust is an investment in our spirit, our values and our people." The Statesman Journal in Salem wrote, "Culture of all kinds makes Oregon what it is. Through the Oregon Cultural Trust, this state has given residents an innovative way to help." The Daily Astorian wrote, "The Trust stands out as a lasting achievement in a public landscape that is otherwise only about disinvestments." Supporting Oregon's culture is really very simple. All you need to do is: First: Make a tax-deductible contribution to any cultural non-profit organization in Oregon; a list of over 1,200 eligible organizations is on the Trust's website: www.culturaltrust.org. Any size contribution counts. (If you have already made a contribution to a cultural non-profit in 2004, you have completed this step. Thank you!) Second: Make a matching contribution to the Oregon Cultural Trust before December 31, 2004. Oregonians can donate online at http://www.culturaltrust.org or may mail a contribution to Oregon Cultural Trust, 775 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-1284. Stock may be contributed to the Trust; details are available online. Third: Claim your 100% tax credit when you file your Oregon tax return. Your entire contribution to the Trust qualifies - (up to $500 for individuals or $1,000 for couples filing jointly or $2,500 for Oregon companies) for the tax credit. It is like making two contributions to Oregon's culture for the price of one. About the Oregon Cultural Trust The Cultural Trust is a statewide program designed to raise significant new funds to invest into Oregon's arts, humanities and heritage. In addition to the creation of a long-term, protected endowment, funds will be distributed annually through competitive grants to cultural organizations, grants to cultural coalitions in Oregon counties and within federally recognized tribes, and grants to statewide cultural agencies. Oregonians who contribute to the Cultural Trust are eligible for an innovative tax credit. Donors to the Cultural Trust are eligible for a 100% tax credit for contributions of up to $500 for individuals ($1,000 for couples filing jointly) and $2,500 for corporations. Because one of the Cultural Trust's goals is to motivate Oregonians to increase direct giving to cultural groups, in order to qualify for the credit, a donor must have also made matching gifts to one or more cultural nonprofits in Oregon during the same tax year. For additional information or to donate online, visit www.culturaltrust.org. |
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