Donate
Giving Opportunities
Sponsor Our Work
Volunteer
DCH is a recipient of GuideStar’s 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency, its highest level of recognition. This seal is given to highlight progress made by an organization that has taken substantive steps to increase their transparency with donors, peers, and the media. To reach the Platinum level, DCH added extensive information about our goals and projects and mission-based measurables. We are incredibly proud of this important Platinum Seal designation, as we continually strive for excellence in all aspects of our organization.
Giving Opportunities
The critical work DCH performs in communities throughout our cities and state is made possible by you –people dedicated to making a difference through the power of plants. Supporting DCH looks different for everyone. For some, it means contributing to DCH’s annual fund or including DCH in your estate planning; for others, it means becoming a member, volunteering, or attending a DCH event. Whichever way you choose to support our mission, THANK YOU, as your continuing community engagement is key to sustaining our work.
Year-round Giving
Your contributions to DCH’s annual fund help us meet a variety of needs, whether general operating support, upfront project costs and supplies for our education programs. Your contributions support our youth and community gardening programs, Arbor Day programs, volunteer tree plantings, and our public landscapes projects, among others. Individual gifts also help DCH offer our programs to people who may not otherwise be able to participate.
Make it easy! If you are an annual donor or someone interested in making your gifts on a more regular basis, please consider a recurring monthly donation. For as little as $10 per month, you can invest in DCH programs and reduce our administrative costs through your online contribution. Becoming a monthly donor is secure and easy to manage, and you can opt out at any time. Just select an amount, and then click ‘Monthly’ for your donation frequency. And as always, THANK YOU for your support.
Planned Giving
Named in honor of our co-founder Helen Ayers Detchon, DCH’s Planned Giving program recognizes individuals and families who have made a financial legacy commitment to DCH in support of our mission to inspire individuals and communities through the power of plants. Your planned gift of support is the greatest sign of your belief in our role as a leader in greening and ecologically beneficial efforts throughout our state and region.
There are a variety of ways to make a planned gift to DCH, and we have detailed some of those options below. Please talk to your attorney or financial advisor about a comprehensive review of all estate and planned giving options. If you have already included DCH in your estate plans, please let us know, so we may include you as a member in the Helen Ayers Detchon Society, which recognizes friends and benefactors who have included DCH in their long-term financial plans.
Donate Now
Explore Your Options
Contact Marcia Stephenson, Director of Advancement
Bequest
A bequest is a gift of personal property, securities, or cash. There are three levels of bequests:
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- Unrestricted: DCH can use this gift for a variety of purposes, including contributing to the organization’s long-term sustainability through DCH’s building and operating endowment. Quite often, this is the most helpful, as we can freely determine when and how to use it depending on our changing needs.
- Restricted bequest: You, the donor, can specify how the funds will be used. This offers you the chance to donate to a special project or cause of personal significance. If you choose this option, please discuss your wishes with Marcia Stephenson to determine if and how your wishes can be best executed.
- Endowed bequest: With this type of bequest, the principal of your gift is held permanently by DCH, and only the investment income is used.
Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Remainder Trust
By creating a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT), you give money, assets, and securities to a trust created by you that will pay you an income for life (or a set number of years). The trust can also provide income to other beneficiaries of your choice. The remaining balance goes to DCH at the conclusion of the final beneficiary’s life.
Donating IRAs or Other Retirement Plans
Gift of Life Insurance Policy
Giving the gift of your life insurance policy is one creative way of making a gift that might not otherwise be financially possible. If you have a life insurance policy and the beneficiary who originally owned it no longer needs protection, the policy can be transferred to DCH as both owner and beneficiary. This option of donating entitles you to an income tax deduction. This information does not constitute legal advice. Please speak with your lawyer or financial planner to discuss the option best for you.
Matching Gifts
Employee Matching Gift Program FAQs
When should I submit a matching gift form?
In general, you should submit the matching gift form immediately after making a donation. In case you forget though, most companies have a 3-12 month grace period.
What companies match gifts?
Over 65% of Fortune 500 companies match gifts and many smaller employers do as well.
My company does not match, but my spouse’s company does. Is my donation eligible to be matched?
It varies by company. If possible, when you submit your gift, make sure the eligible spouse completes the gift form and signs the check.
Sponsor Our Work
Getting involved with DCH as a sponsor provides you a unique opportunity to increase your name recognition and market your products and services to our members, our visitors and event attendees, and the thousands of people we reach through our newsletters and social media presence. And even more important, it shows your commitment to your local community by supporting DCH greening programs, which contribute to cleaner air, soil, and waterways for your neighbors.
Let us create a sponsorship package or opportunity that is customized to your own interests and priorities for brand recognition, reaching our audience of gardeners and the public. Sponsorships are available for our Public Landscape sites located throughout the city of Wilmington, DCH events and lectures throughout the year, volunteer events, our Member Discount program, and features at our facility and on our vehicles. Whatever your involvement goal may be, we have a sponsorship that fits the bill!
Sponsor our Fall Fundraising event: Dance for Plants
Dance for Plants is a members’ and community favorite event where we showcase a specific plant and what makes it extraordinary. This year, we’re celebrating the benefits of the beet as we ‘dance to the beet’! There will be music, fun, and beet-inspired food and drinks. Find out more about this event here.
If you’re interested in supporting our event, complete our form below and choose from our various sponsorship opportunities available.
Volunteer
DCH was founded as a volunteer organization in 1977. True to our roots, volunteerism is the engine that drives our success.
We offer many opportunities for you or your business to get involved –from tree plantings and grounds maintenance to event photography and urban farm harvesting.
Whatever your interest, we have a volunteer match for you!
View our available opportunities in the VolunteerEasy Calendar!
Questions or Comments?
Please contact Liz Davison, Membership and Volunteer Manager via email or phone (302) 658-6262 ext. 108.
