Donations to Dark Skies

As an IRS 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization, donations to us are tax-deductible. Donations can be sent to our mailing address: Dark Skies, P.O. Box 634, Westcliffe, CO 81252, and they will be acknowledged in writing shortly thereafter. Donations other than monetary should be discussed with the president, see Members page link button to the left.

Special Opportunity in 2007 to Magnify Your Donation

The Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007 Spirit Campaign. The Spirit Campaign is a program of matching gifts awarded by the Community Foundation based on individual donations to non-profit organizations (including Dark Skies) in Custer County. Founded in 2004, the Spirit Campaign has generated over $300,000 in private donations and matching funds provided by the Community Foundation. The Spirit Campaign allows residents to focus their donations on non-profits of their choosing while knowing a matching gift will be awarded by the Community Foundation.

Donors wishing to take advantage of matching funds for their favorite local organizations should make use the donor form found in the November 15 and November 22 issues of the Wet Mountain Valley Tribune. The donation form is also available on the Community Foundation web site at <www.wmvcf.org>in a downloadable .pdf file format.

Checks should be made out to the Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation, not the non-profit organization and the amount gifted should be noted on the donor form. All checks MUST be received no later than December 31, 2007 to receive matching gifts from the Community Foundation. Any checks received after December 31 will be accepted and credited to the non-profit organization, but no matching gift will be applied.

As last year, the maximum amount that will be matched is $500 per family and/or business. If the Foundation receives total contributions of more than $30,000 or less, the private donations will be matched dollar-to-dollar. If the total exceeds $30,000, then the matching portion will be pro-rated. Donations may also be made directly to the Community Foundation Spirit Campaign to increase the matching fund and further stretch the community’s charitable dollars. Donations to churches through the Spirit Campaign are not allowed under IRS regulations. For more information, call 719-783-2361.

Note: In 2006, the Foundation matching funds for Dark Skies were approximately 50% of the amount donated by individuals.