(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski, courtesy of SAVE) caption: GOING TO THE DOGS: SAVE, Princeton's animal shelter, is starting up a non-cash donation program that will help the shelter raise more money for its capital campaign program. This puppy was one of three left abandoned in an empty house. Donations to SAVE help take care of animals like this one. end of caption

SAVE Animal Shelter Launches Non-Cash Donation Program

Candace Braun

Looking for more ways to increase funding for its capital campaign, SAVE, Princeton's animal shelter, recently started up a program that allows residents to offer non-cash donations to the organization.

After creating a partnership with Donation Exchange, SAVE can now accept donations of property and goods, such as fine artwork, residential and commercial real estate, privately held stock, boats, collectible vehicles, business interests, intellectual property, machines, jewelry, rare coins, and wine. Donations must have an assessed value of $25,000 or more.

"These are donations we've had to decline in the past, because like most charitable organizations, we are simply not equipped to efficiently convert gifts of goods to cash," said Sara Nicolls, the shelter's executive director. She added that the partnership with Donation Exchange will open up the possibility of receiving more donations from the Greater Princeton community.

Ms. Nicolls said that while there has been a lot of interest in the program, the shelter has not received any donations thus far.

The program is designed for people who have a valuable item to donate, such as an art collection inherited from a distant relative. Donation Exchange matches up the item donated with someone in its national network of liquidators, brokers, or auctioneers, depending on where the item best fits, said Brad Caswell, a representative of Donation Exchange.

"Our entire focus is on providing donors with an easy and pleasant way to give, and the non-profit organization with a trouble-free way to accept non-cash donations," said Ken Ghazey, chairman of Donation Exchange. He added that the donation is also a valuable tax deduction for donors.

As part of the donation process, Donation Exchange can introduce certified appraisers to the donor and assist with paperwork documentation as required by the IRS to claim charitable gift deductions. The company will also coordinate pick up and delivery of the donation.

The shelter's capital campaign is a $5 million fundraising effort to build a new, state-of-the-art shelter to replace existing structures. Donations will also help pay for the shelter's operations, including rescue, shelter, health and welfare, spaying/neutering, adoption, and human education.

Currently, the shelter has raised approximately $2.2 million of the needed funds.

"I think we're right on target," said Ms. Nicolls. "As our campaign gears up, we hope to close the gap soon."

To make a tax-deductible donation of property or valuables with a value of $25,000 or more, call Sara Nicolls at (609) 921-6122, ext. 206, or visit www.save-animals.org. Cash donations are also welcome.