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How can you help?

Donate Your Vehicle

MRM accepts cars, trucks, vans, mini-buses, boats, tractors, and heavy construction equipment. Sorry — we draw the line at trains. For tax deduction information about such donations, click learn more.

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To donate any vehicle, please email (brichards@muskegonmission.org) or call Brent Richards at (231) 727.6090 first. To donate a car, van, or truck, here’s what you need to know:

MRM can accept any such vehicle, running or not.

The person who owns the vehicle possesses a clear title and has the keys should be the one who calls.

You may deliver your vehicle to us, or if it is in the Muskegon area, we can arrange to pick up your vehicle.

Vehicles that could not be used for ministry will be sold at auction with proceeds benefiting those MRM serves.

You will receive the kind of receipt you need for a tax deduction.

Tax Deduction Information:

Muskegon Rescue Mission is a qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and according to the IRS, you can deduct the fair market value of your vehicle when you itemize your deductions.

How do you estimate the fair market value? We are not able to; however, IRS publication 561 offers this advice: Say “the ‘blue book’ value of a car like yours is $1,600 in good condition. However, your car needs extensive repairs. After checking with repair shops and used car dealers, you find that the car should sell for $750. You may use $750 as the FMV of the car.”

There is no limit on how many vehicles you may donate during a year, but if the fair market value of the vehicle(s) is $5000 or greater, you must file the IRS Form 8283 with your tax return.

Here are some links to the Kelly Blue Book and the NADA Guide to get you started.

Donate Food

We rely on food donations to help feed the thousands of men, women, and children who come through our doors hungry and needing help. Click learn more to see the current pantry wish list.

Donations can be dropped off at our Men’s Shelter located on 400 W. Laketon Ave. Muskegon, MI

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  • Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Baked Beans
  • Canned Fruit
  • Soup
  • Canned Meat
  • Spaghetti Noodles
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Kids Shampoo
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Deodorant
  • Bar Soap
  • Sandwich Bags

Food and Personal Care Drives

Want to help collect food or personal care items for Muskegon Rescue Mission? It’s easy! We encourage schools, families, businesses, and local churches to host a drive during any month of the year. Contact Melissa Boughner at 231.727.6090 to arrange your drive.

Electronic Transfer

This is a convenient way to donate your securities. Instruct your broker to electronically transfer your securities out of your account into the mission’s account.

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Account number: PP1-214897

DTC number: 0443 – Pershing LLC

Account name: Muskegon Rescue Mission

EIN: 38-3525239

Please be sure to notify us directly of the transfer so we can receipt your donation promptly by providing the following information:

  • Your name, address, phone number, and email address
  • The name of the stock and number of shares you are donating

Donate Real Estate

Donating real estate is a great way to help the Muskegon Rescue Mission. If you own property and would like to make a charitable gift, please contact us today, click learn more.

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Someone who donates real estate that has been held for more than one year is generally entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the full, fair market value of the donated property. In most cases, the donor can avoid the capital gain tax on the appreciated portion of the property that would have been taxable if the property was sold. Estate tax savings as well as avoiding probate are other possible benefits.

Other benefits include:

  • Avoid or diminish capital gains tax
  • Receive a charitable tax deduction
  • Eliminate selling problems
  • Simple to transfer ownership
  • No real estate broker fees
  • Possible income through annuity

Giving Appreciated Securities

The benefits of donating appreciated securities (either stocks or mutual funds) are tremendous. You can avoid paying capital gain tax on the appreciation, and you can also claim a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the security at the time of the gift. This is a great way to leverage your gift in support of the mission. Click to learn more.

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As long as you have held the security for longer than 12-months, giving through appreciated securities can be a great way to support the mission and optimize your tax deduction:

Here’s How it Works…

John bought stock 10 years ago for $2,000. The stock has appreciated over the years and is now worth $20,000. John wants to help the poor and homeless in his community and donate the stock directly to the Muskegon Rescue Mission. John got a $20,000 charitable income tax deduction even though he only paid $2,000 for the stock. He avoids paying capital gain tax on the $18,000 of appreciation. The tax avoided could be $3,600 ($18,000 x 20%). Since John transferred the stock directly to the rescue mission, versus selling the stock, he also avoided paying a sales commission to his broker.

There are several ways to transfer stock to the rescue mission. Please be sure to contact us once your transfer has been completed. This is very important, especially if the gift has been transferred electronically to our account or a certificate has been issued in the name of the Muskegon Rescue Mission since your name will not be associated with your donation. We would also like to say “thank you” personally and provide you with an acknowledgment letter for your tax purposes.

Certificate Transfer

Transferring your stock certificate can be as simple as endorsing the back of the certificate and sending it by certified mail to Muskegon Rescue Mission. (Notary public stamps are not an acceptable guarantor for stock certificates.) Be sure to endorse the certificate exactly as your name(s) appears on the front. Insert the Muskegon Rescue Mission tax identification number 38-3525239 in the box on the back requesting a social security number or another identifying number of the assignee. Send it by certified mail to Muskegon Rescue Mission, Attn: Melissa Boughner, 2735 E Apple Ave Ste D, Muskegon, MI 49441.

Employee Owned Stock in Non-Retirement Plans

If you purchased stock from your employer (e.g., non-retirement E.S.O.P.), you can instruct them to issue a certificate in the name of the Muskegon Rescue Mission. You will need to provide them with our tax identification number (38-3525239) and our address (2735 E Apple Ave Ste D, Muskegon, MI 49441).

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