Legacy gift

LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY FOR TRINIDAD

As you contemplate estate planning, consider the community you love and an enduring way to have a positive impact by leaving a charitable gift to the Trinidad Civic Club that aligns with your personal philanthropic goals. Your generosity demonstrates lifetime values and reminds heirs that giving is a heartfelt gesture of hope for the future.

WHY THE TRINIDAD CIVIC CLUB?

Community Development: The Trinidad Civic Club has had a significant impact on the Trinidad community for over 100 years of service since 1913. From helping with building and maintaining the Town Hall, to assisting in erecting a concrete cross on Trinidad Head (where the original wooden cross was placed by Spanish explorers in 1775), to building the landmark Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse, then saving it from coastal erosion and constructing the Lighthouse Monument in Trinidad Harbor, the Civic Club women have enhanced their beloved community. The library, cemetery, school, fire department, tennis courts and more have benefited from efforts of the Club. All these endeavors have a tremendous impact on our community.

Scholarship Programs: Two scholarship recipients are honored each year. The Carmen and Jim Kidder Scholarship is awarded for academic achievement to pursue a college or university degree. The trade scholarship supports technical training for skill development. The scholarship program reflects a commitment to education and youth, along with the Student of the Month program recognizing citizenship at Trinidad Union School.

Health & Human Services: A number of non-profit organizations have benefited from Club donations. The Club has raised thousands of dollars for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) supporting foster children in the court system and the Alzheimer’s Foundation to fund research for a cure. Other programs include The Betty Chinn Homeless Foundation, Humboldt Domestic Violence Services, Eureka Rescue Mission, Trinidad Food Pantry, as well as other worthwhile organizations meeting the needs of the community. Additionally, the Club has a history of sponsoring important health initiatives such as: a Polio clinic in 1957 and the Humboldt Blood Bank for over 35 years. During the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, the Civic Club contacted the County of Humboldt and offered the Clubroom to support drive-up testing and vaccines for residents in the Greater Trinidad Area.  Club members also sewed and distributed protective wear (hundreds of face masks & surgical caps) to essential hospital workers and the community, along with Gratitude Baskets and banners of support. 

Memorial Sites for Lost or Buried at Sea: The 1949 Memorial Lighthouse was built to preserve maritime history with the 1871 Fresnel lens and the 1898 Bell decommissioned from the Head Lighthouse. The Lighthouse was dedicated as a monument to those lost or buried at Sea when the Memorial site was established in 1975. A lovely Memorial Ceremony has been conducted since 1995 to honor loved ones.

Coastal erosion in 2017 required the moving of the Memorial Lighthouse to the Trinidad Harbor in 2018, where a new Lighthouse Monument was constructed. As stewards of the Lighthouse Monument and Memorial sites, the Club maintains and provides all the funds for ongoing maintenance and paid $72,000 for moving the Lighthouse. The Club’s major fundraising campaign paid engineers, permit fees, site designers and construction costs for the Monument with community and Trinidad Rancheria support.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

Any gift, regardless of size, will help carry out the Club’s mission of service and will be greatly appreciated:

The Trinidad Civic Club is a non-profit, community-service organization devoted to providing community support, enhancing the lives of others by cultivating harmonious community spirit through volunteer service.

Please explore these tax-deductible options:

1. Wills, Trusts or Outright Gifts:  May be made directly, through a will/trust or through a private foundation. Suggested wording for a trust: “To the Trinidad Civic Club, a non-profit organization for the support of its mission in the community.” For giving to specific programs, you may designate the Scholarship Program or the Memorial Lighthouse Monument. Please refer to the Memorial Lighthouse Friends List under the Donate tab on our website: www.trinidadcivicclub.org.

2. Permanent Endowment Fund: A gift by establishing an endowment fund through the Humboldt Area Foundation stating: “This gift shall be invested, reinvested and kept invested with only the income therefrom used for the support of the Trinidad Civic Club.”

3. IRA: Designating distribution money from an IRA is not included in the owner’s income and thus, not taxed. If you are over 70.5 years old, you qualify to simply ask your investment institution to make a qualified distribution to the Trinidad Civic Club.

4. Real Property: Real estate qualifies for a tax deduction based on the current appreciated value. The Club accepts estate sale items of value, including art, collectables and jewelry, which can be sold at fundraising events to benefit our worthwhile causes.

WHAT STEPS ARE REQUIRED?

For Wills & Beneficiary Gifts:

     1. Contact your retirement plan administrator, bank or financial institution for a change-of-beneficiary form.

     2. Decide the percentage (from 1 to 100%) you would like the Club to receive and then name the California Federation of Women’s Clubs: Trinidad Civic Club, Inc. and the percentage, on the beneficiary form.

     3. Return the completed form as instructed.

For an Endowment Fund:

Contact the private fund administrator or the Humboldt Area Foundation (707-442-2993) for guidelines.

For Real Property:

Contact one of the officers below to discuss your gift. Real property can be written in your Trust Letter of Intention designating who will receive estate personal possessions.

CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS: TRINIDAD CIVIC CLUB, INC. is a member of the parent organization, California Federation of Women’s Clubs with EIN 95-2009211 GEN 82S8. The organization holds IRS 501c(3) Tax Exempt Status covering some of its subordinated member Clubs and Districts, including the Trinidad Civic Club. These women’s clubs are also affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Washington, D.C.

FEDERAL IRS ID NUMBER: #94-2750007

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Jan West, Fundraising Chair & Co-President

Trinidad Civic Club

707-677-3655

tcc@trinidadcivicclub.org

Patti Fleschner, Treasurer

Trinidad Civic Club

707-677-3816

baycity@sonic.net