THANK YOU for considering a donation to the San Diego Watercolor Society.
Since being founded in 1965, the San Diego Watercolor Society has grown to become one of the premier watermedia organizations in the nation. It enriches the arts in San Diego and throughout the world through programming that includes an acclaimed annual International Exhibition, juried monthly Member Exhibitions, and art classes for school children and seniors. In addition, SDWS recruits nationally renowned artists to teach beginning through advanced painting classes and provide painting demonstrations.
Donations Are Tax-Deductible
SDWS's status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization means that your donation can be deducted from your income for state and federal income taxes. (Your tax advisor should be consulted.)
Donations of $100 or more will be acknowledged within 30 days. At the end of the calendar year, all of your donations during the year will be tallied, and donations over $25 will receive a letter by mid-February to verify your tax deduction.
Current Donation Options
- SDWS General Fund: General donation for the San Diego Watercolor Society
- International Exhibition General Sponsorship: General Sponsorship of the SDWS 40th International Exhibition
Donor Benefits
Benefit categories are based on two criteria.
1. Calendar Year: An individual’s total donations during a calendar year.
- Donations over $25 will be recognized with a letter of appreciation as evidence for a tax deduction.
- For total contributions of at least $250, the donor will receive the current year's International Exhibition Catalog.
- For total contributions of at least $1,000, the donor will also receive the current year's Western Federation Exhibition Catalog.
- For a single contribution of $1,000 or more the donor will receive a 15% discount on the purchase of a painting.
2. Lifetime: The total of an individual’s donations since the San Diego Watercolor Society established its database. Total contributions will be tallied at the end of each calendar year. Over time, an individual may eventually contribute enough to move from a lower category to a higher category. Donors with "lifetime" contributions of $500 and above will be recognized (with permission) at the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery on the "Lifetime Giving" display and on the San Diego Watercolor Society website.
"Lifetime" Donation categories are as follows:
- Diamond Circle, $15,000 - $50,000
- Ruby Circle, $5,000 - $14,999
- Emerald Circle, $1,000 - $4,999
- Sapphire Circle, $500 - $999
View Current San Diego Watercolor Society Donors
Planned Giving
Consider being part of the San Diego Watercolor Society Legacy for Art. You will help ensure that the San Diego Watercolor Society can continue to provide artistically inspiring programs and services to members and visitors of the future, and you will always be honored and remembered at the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery.
Bequest
Please designate the San Diego Watercolor Society as a beneficiary in your will, trust, retirement plan, annuity, or insurance policy. Since SDWS is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID 95-3153264), such a gift would not be subject to federal estate tax.
If you wish to bequest part of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) account to SDWS, designate SDWS as a beneficiary of your retirement plan. Your heirs will avoid paying estate and income taxes on the gift, as it can be transferred directly from the IRA to SDWS.
Any bequest can be specified for either general use or for a specific SDWS purpose or program.
IRA Chartibale Rollover
At age 70½ people with Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are required to begin taking annual minimum distributions. Usually, this is considered taxable income and could move a person into a higher tax bracket.
The good news is that on December 18, 2015, the president signed into law a bipartisan bill titled, Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015. This law allows owners of IRAs and Roth IRAs to make tax-free gifts directly from an IRA to any qualified charity, such as the San Diego Watercolor Society. The gift does not need to be claimed as income and would not be taxable, but it would count towards your annual minimum required distribution.
To make an IRA Charitable Rollover gift to SDWS
- You must be age 70½ or older.
- The gift cannot exceed $100,000 each year per taxpayer.
- Funds must be transferred directly from your IRA or Roth IRA to SDWS (Federal Tax ID 95-3153264).
- Please note that such a gift does not additionally qualify for a charitable deduction.
Any gift can be specified for either general use or for a specific purpose or program.
Please mail your check to:
SDWS Development
2825 Dewey Road, Studio 105
San Diego, CA 92106
Merchant Donations
You can help maintain the San Diego Watercolor Society's excellent programs and services by contributing money or materials to be used for exhibition awards, special events, or our watermedia classes for children and adults.
Supporting SDWS will bring you the recognition and appreciation of our members and the many visitors to the SDWS gallery and website.
Shop to Donate
You can support the San Diego Watercolor Society by shopping! A percentage of the money you spend at AmazonSmile and Ralph's Groceries will be donated to SDWS.
AmazonSmile
- Change the Amazon Bookmark on your webrowser to Smile.Amazon.com.
- After you log in, go to Change My Charity and type in "SDWS".
- Now, when you use your bookmark to shop at Amazon Smile you are donating to SDWS!
Ralphs
- Pick up a card at a Ralph's Grocery Store
- Create an account at ralphs.com/community
- Link to SDWS account 81857
Please email questions and/or inquiries to our Development Director.
