Give to the arts, but wish you could give more? This year, join other shrewd patrons in making use of a tax credit to double your contribution.

Here’s the deal: First, make a donation to any of the 1,300 arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits supported by the Oregon Cultural Trust. Then, make a matching gift to the Trust. When you do your 2010 Oregon taxes, you’ll be able to claim a tax credit, reducing what you owe the State of Oregon, for the full amount of your gift to the Trust, effectively doubling your support of libraries and writing programs, historical societies and heritage festivals, visual and performing arts centers, theater and dance companies… at no additional cost.

"The more donations the Trust receives by December 31, the greater our grants will be for 2011-2012," says spokeswoman Cynthia Kirk. "This year, we were able to distribute $1.47 million in grants benefiting 57 cultural nonprofits, 40 county and tribal coalitions and five statewide cultural partners."

Oregon is the only state in the nation that allows its citizens to designate part of their state taxes to cultural funding. You’re free to exercise that right up until 11:59 PM on F/December 31 – New Year’s Eve – if you donate online at www.culturaltrust.org.

Donations can also be taken:

by phone 503-986-0088 (8 AM – 5 PM, including New Year’s Eve)

or by mail 775 Summer St, NE, Ste 200-M
Salem, OR 97301 (must be postmarked Dec 31, or earlier)