The Town of Atherton is a qualified organization for the purposes of charitable contributions that do not provide a personal benefit. There are also a number of locally active charitable organizations established to receive donations intended to benefit a wide variety of local community services and programs.
Most of these organizations are established to support services and programs that meet the social, physical, developmental and recreational needs of local residents. Some of these organizations also support community youth organizations and educational programs through the purchase of equipment and supplies. Tax-deductible donations are accepted by the Town and by these local non-profit organizations. Contributors may specify the type of service they wish to receive the funds. All funds received must be used for their intended purpose and no funds may be directed to administrative overhead costs.
The following are a few of the local non-profit groups accepting donations for their specific charitable direction:
* Atherton Now
* Atherton Civic Interest League* Atherton Disaster and Preparedness Team
* Friends of Holbrook-Palmer Park* Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation
* Atherton Arts Foundation* Atherton Heritage Foundation
Individuals, corporations and community organizations are key sources of financial support for important programs and projects - this includes the Town's Civic Center Project. Atherton-Now's Building Community campaign is committed to raising funds from private citizens, local groups, foundations and the community at large to bring the Town's new Civic Center to reality. In addition to special capital projects such as the Civic Center, gifts and contributions are needed to help people in a variety of ways in Town.
There are many ways to lend your financial support to community services and activities in the Town. Gifts can be unrestricted so the Town or organization can decide which local need is the most pressing. You can also specify that your gift be targeted to a particular program or purpose. You can designate further that the gift be placed in an endowment so that the interest it earns keeps giving for many years. However you choose to support the community service activities in Town, be assured that your gift will help to make Atherton an even better community in which to live.
Gifts to support the community may be made payable to the Town of Atherton or the specific, non-profit, public benefit corporation that accepts and administers private support for the community. Since the Town and the above organizations qualify as non-profit organizations, gifts may also qualify for federal and often state tax deductions. As with all financial considerations, potential donors are encouraged to discuss the tax advantages and other aspects of charitable giving with their attorney, tax advisor or financial consultant.
For more information on the above organizations, visit the Town's Charitable Organizations webpage. For information on possible contributions to the Town to Park improvements, the Civic Center or other specific projects, please contact the City Manager. The Town accepts contributions toward projects in Holbrook Palmer Park, the Civic Center Project, plaques, benches, and rest areas, and/or other community improvement projects and programs.