Gifts to Heifer International are tax-deductible

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Oct. 14, 2011) — Tax season is still several months away, but now is the time to think about making a charitable donation to claim a deduction on your taxes for 2011.

In this time of responsibility and accountability, consider your charity choices carefully. Look for an organization that demonstrates a return, a benefit, just as you would with any investment. And giving to Heifer International is an investment.

The purchase of a cow, goat or other animal through Heifer International doesn’t just deliver that cow or goat. It covers the costs of up to a year of training for families before they ever see the animal, in animal care and management, in gender equity, in environmentally friendly agro-forestry techniques, in how to grow food for the animal without impacting the family’s food supply. All of this—and more—is covered by the gift.

The investment grows, too, as every family agrees to Pass on the Gift, which means that every family that receives training and farm animals promises to pass on that training and the first-born offspring of their animal to another family in need. With this, families that have struggled for years experience the pride and dignity that comes with being able to help someone else.

Heifer recipients often say that the thing they are most excited about is helping someone else become self-reliant.

Remember: charitable donations to Heifer International are tax-deductible only if you itemize deductions on your tax return.  And only if the gift is made by Dec. 31, 2011.

Also, if you receive a refund from the Internal Revenue Service, please consider Passing on the Gift again to Heifer International.

Since 1944, Heifer International has helped more than 70.5 million smallholder farmers and their families in more than 125 countries because of generous gifts from caring individuals—personal investments in others’ futures. The tax deduction is just another benefit in a line of benefits that come from giving a gift through Heifer International.

Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the U.S., to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call (800) 696-1918.