Ways To Give
Annual Silent Auction
Our Annual Silent Auction, held each year in conjunction with the American Wine Society Conference, is our primary fundraiser. We rely on our members and friends to make donations of items for conference attendees to bid on and take home. We’re planning for our 2025 auction to be our best yet. Please plan to donate wines and wine-related items, check with wineries you know and ask them to send some bottles to us. We appreciate you!
Please ship to AWSEF c/o Walter Rachele, 38881 Irish Corner Rd., Lovettsville, VA
20180 or bring with you if attending conference.
Raise Donations as a Chapter
It’s always more fun to raise a glass while raising money for a good cause and any amount helps! Check out our “Chapter Fundraising Ideas” for fun, easy ways to enjoy doing what you love while supporting a good cause. Does your chapter already have a great way to raise funds for the AWSEF? Tell us about it at president01@awsef.org. The AWSEF would love to feature your chapter’s fundraising event in our “News” section and share your great ideas!
Charitable Giving Options
Any time of year, especially at year’s end, there are personal income tax planning issues that can be considered. Among these is the opportunity to gift appreciated assets (e.g., stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate) to qualifying organizations, such as the American Wine Society Educational Foundation. Such gifts are normally tax deductible to the donor at full market value.
The AWSEF has three fund types established to support both operation of the Board of Trustees and to provide scholarships. These funds are;
- the General Fund that supports Board operation,
- the Endowment Fund that provides Foundation scholarships into perpetuity, and
- Special Scholarship Funds that bear the name of an individual, group or corporation.
As a tax-qualified 501(c)(3) organization, the AWSEF welcomes charitable gifts. Contributions should be tax deductible but to be sure please check with a tax advisor.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO LEAVE A LEGACY TO THE AWSEF
The AWSEF requests that those who are considering year-end charitable gifts remember AWSEF in their planning. Please contact your personal financial advisor or one of the AWSEF Trustees named below for additional information.
Planned Giving Options
Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity is a contract between a donor and the AWSEF whereby the donor transfers cash, marketable securities or other assets, to the AWSEF in exchange for a partial tax deduction and a lifetime stream of annual income. The payment will not fluctuate regardless of the stock market or interest rates. When the contract is terminated, the remainder is
contributed to a donor designated the AWSEF fund to provide for future scholarships and/or grants to deserving students.
Long-Term Appreciated Securities
Making a gift of long-term appreciated securities can benefit you in two ways: you can receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value (some restrictions may apply) of the appreciated securities, while at the same time avoid paying capital gains tax on the profit.
Contacts
Contact AWSEF Board members for questions about donations and charitable giving.
Walter Rachele
Treasurer
PO Box 264
Lovettsville, VA 20180
(443) 280-2319
Email: treasurer01@awsef.org
Therise Collier
Vice President, Private Development
Email: vpprivatedev01@awsef.org
The AWSEF is related to but operates independently from the American Wine Society (AWS). The Foundation is governed by a board of trustees elected by its membership and is tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code.