Bluff Lake is a licensed Colorado childcare provider, and your donations go to support our summer camp and after school programs. Our license and these programs ensure that your donation is eligible for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. Colorado taxpayers who make a monetary contribution to promote childcare in Colorado may claim an income tax credit of 50% of the total contribution. Both corporate and individual donors may benefit from the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit.

The easiest way to donate is online via our Colorado Gives portal, which allows donors to make one-time and recurring donations (monthly, quarterly, or annually).

You can also donate to us via check, addressed to Bluff Lake Nature Center at 4760 Oakland St, Suite 200, Denver CO 80239.

Unless specified, donations are designated as General Operations funding and are unrestricted. These funds are incredibly important to our organization, as they support our mission and our general annual operating budget. Donors can request that their contributions be restricted to certain areas, such as our educational programming that serves over 8,000 youth annually, our scholarship fund that assists over 50 campers each summer, or Bluff Lake’s ongoing site restoration, which helps conserve our place of nature in the city.

The Hadley Smith Endowment Fund was established in 2020 by a $1,000,000 gift from the Smith family in memory of their daughter Hadley. The fund is held and invested by The Denver Foundation. Each year, Bluff Lake can withdraw 4.5% of the fund’s year-end balance (or $50,000, whichever is higher) to support building Bluff Lake’s significant long-term philanthropic efforts and imagining the future of our organization. Our endowment fund is an integral part of Bluff Lake’s planning for the future and growth of this organization, and its support means that we will be able to serve our community for generations to come.

If you wish to contribute to the endowment, please make a note on your donation, or contact Leila at leila@blufflake.org to ensure it is correctly allocated.

As a 501c3, Bluff Lake Nature Center can accept contributions from donor advised funds. These contributions will not receive a tax deduction, as established by the IRS, but will still receive an acknowledgment letter and recognition on our website and in our annual impact report.

As a 501c3, Bluff Lake Nature Center can accept contributions as a part of the percentage retirees must distribute annually from their IRA accounts. These gifts are a great choice for donors to avoid income tax on their required withdrawal.These contributions will not receive a tax deduction, as established by the IRS, but will still receive an acknowledgment letter and recognition on our website and in our annual impact report. If you have any questions, please contact leila@blufflake.org.

Many companies will match the contributions of employees and former employees, which could possibly double your gift. Check with the human resources department at your company to find out if there is a matching gift program and, if so, let us know by emailing Leila at leila@blufflake.org.

A gift in memory of a loved one who has passed away or a friend who has made an impact in your life is a wonderful thought for those to whom nature means so much. If you would like to make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, you can note their name in the space provided on the Colorado Gives donation page, or in the memo space of the check. If you provide us with the honoree’s contact information, we will let them know a donation has been made in their honor.

Become a part of Bluff Lake’s future with a legacy gift that will ensure your impact is felt for generations to come. Such gifts are instrumental in the continuation of Bluff Lake’s sustainability. If you choose to make a planned gift in your estate plans, please contact Leila at leila@blufflake.org to be guided through the process with the correct documentation.

Stock gifts are a great way to lower your capital gains tax while supporting Bluff Lake’s mission. If you wish to make a stock transfer gift to Bluff Lake, please email Leila at leila@blufflake.org to ensure that you have the correct information for your broker to make the transfer. According to Bluff Lake’s financial policies, all stocks will be sold and the funds deposited in our general operating account within 60 days.

There are so many items that can be of use for our programming, from binoculars to duct tape! For a full list of items we can use, please visit https://www.blufflake.org/item-donations. For special items that would be of use in the silent auction at our annual Wine and Cheese donor appreciation event, please contact Leila at leila@blufflake.org.

Use GoodSearch.com or Amazon Smile when you search and shop online. Connect your King Soopers Card to Bluff Lake and donate every time you make a purchase!

Got a tax refund and want to make a difference? You can easily contribute some or all of your state tax refund to directly support Bluff Lake through ReFUND CO. Use our registration number 20023005562.

We can benefit from that old car, truck, camper van, boat, or motorcycle that you need moved out of your driveway! Donate your unwanted vehicle to Bluff Lake easily through Cars Helping Charities.