La Mirada Community Services Foundation
"Improving The Quality Of Life In La Mirada"

In the broadest sense, the Foundation helps improve the quality of life in La Mirada. It does so by supporting services and programs meeting the social, physical, developmental and recreational needs of local residents. More specifically, the Foundation is accepting donations to assist with construction of the La Mirada Aquatic Center and Sheriff's Station expansion. This ambitious project will provide recreational opportunities for the entire family ranging from swim lessons for toddlers to therapy sessions for senior citizens. The project will also significantly enhance law enforcement services in La Mirada. The Foundation also purchased more than $20,000 in lifesaving equipment for City facilities and vehicles.

The Foundation also supports community youth organizations and educational programs through the purchase of equipment and supplies.

Tax deductible donations are accepted by the non-profit La Mirada Community Services Foundation. Contributors may specify the type of service they wish to receive the funds. All funds received by the Foundation are used for their intended purpose and no funds are directed to administrative overhead costs.

Social Needs
 are formal and informal positive human interactions that help build stronger relationships between individuals, families and the community.

Physical Needs
 include food and health services necessary for the physical well being of the individual.

Developmental Needs
 include education and training necessary to improve the ability of the individual to cope with life’s challenges.

Recreational Needs
 include passive and active leisure activities necessary for the physical and mental development of the individual.

Individuals, corporations and community organizations are key sources of financial support for important programs and projects such as the La Mirada Aquatics Center.

Gifts and contribution are needed to help people in a variety of ways in the City of La Mirada by the La Mirada Community Services Foundation.

Why Should I Support The La Mirada Community Services Foundation?

The La Mirada Community Services Foundation is working to make lives better in the community. The Foundation assists young people and senior citizens. It helps individuals and families. It needs your help to continue making a difference. The Foundation seeks the generous private support of long-time residents, newcomers, businesses, foundations, and caring people like you. Every contribution, no matter how small or large, is important.

Ways to Support Community Services

There are many ways to lend your financial support to community services and activities in the City of La Mirada. Gifts may be unrestricted in use so the Foundation can decide which local need is the most pressing. You may also specify that your gift be targeted to a particular program or purpose. You may designate further that the gift be placed in an endowment so that the interest it earns keeps giving for many years. If a gift is not designated for endowment, it is considered a "current expenditure" gift. Some donors make current gifts, and others choose to satisfy their commitment over a period of time.

You may wish to retain an interest in your gift, such as the right to receive income from it, or to give through your estate. Under certain circumstances, your gift may entitle you to significant tax benefits.

However you choose to support the community service activities in La Mirada, be assured that your gift will help to make La Mirada an even better community in which to live.

Gifts to support the community may be made payable to the La Mirada Community Services Foundation, a non-profit, public benefit corporation that accepts and administers private support for the community.

Since the La Mirada Community Services Foundation is a non-profit organization, gifts may qualify for a federal, and often state, income tax charitable donation. As with all financial considerations, potential donors are encouraged to discuss the tax advantages and other aspects of charitable giving with their attorney, tax advisor or financial consultant.

You can help build a better La Mirada by making a donation using the La Mirada Community Services Foundation’s on-line gift form.  For detailed information on any aspect of giving, contact the La Mirada Community Services Foundation at (562) 943-0131. A representative of the Foundation will be pleased to answer your questions.

Outright Gifts
Outright gifts or donations in the form of cash, securities or other property can be an important means of assisting the Community Services Foundation. Outright gifts can have an immediate impact on the community because they are available to address a variety of current needs.

Gift Pledges
A pledge is a formal statement of intention to make a gift to the Community Services Foundation. It may be followed by an immediate gift, or it may simply confirm your intention to make a gift in the future. Donors may choose to complete their gift pledge by making regular payments over a period of time. This method often allows donors to give more generously than they may have originally considered. Whenever possible, the Foundation encourages full payment of pledges within five years of the original commitment.

Gifts with Retained Interest
Your gift to the Foundation can allow you to hold an interest in that gift for your lifetime or for a specified term of years. After that time, the funds become available to the Foundation. For example, you can set up a charitable trust allowing you to receive income from that trust for a specified period, or for life.

Unrestricted Gifts
When you do not designate a specific use for your gift, the Foundation gains flexibility. Unrestricted gifts can be used at the discretion of the Foundation Board of Directors to meet the most pressing needs in the community at the time.

Gifts of Endowment
Your long-term commitment to building a better La Mirada can take the form of a gift for endowment. An endowment is a fund that is maintained in perpetuity, and only a portion of the annual investment return is used for the purposes specified by the donor. The rest of the investment yield is returned to principal. This process allows the fund to grow and hopefully keep pace with inflation. Endowments, which typically bear the name of the donor or donors, reflect your interests and serve an enduring testament to your generosity.

Appreciated Securities
A gift of long-term appreciated marketable securities helps you save taxes twice. Such a gift may provide an income tax charitable deduction and capital gains tax savings.

Closely Held Securities
Securities in a company that is not publicly traded are known as closely held securities. When a donor makes a gift of these securities to the La Mirada Community Services Foundation, the donor may enjoy tax savings and can even increase his or her income from the donated stock.

Matching Gifts
Many corporations may be willing to support the La Mirada Community Services Foundation by matching, or multiplying, their employee’s gifts to the Foundation, up to a set amount. Before making a gift to the Foundation, you may want to ask whether your employer offers such a program. Certain restrictions may be applied to matching gifts. Consult with your company’s personnel office for further information.

Gifts of Real Estate
When you give a gift of real property to the Foundation, you may claim an income tax charitable deduction based on the full market value of the gift, avoid capital gains taxes, and eliminate certain costs associated with the transfer of real property. Gifts of real estate can also provide income to you.

Gifts-In-Kind
You may wish to give the Foundation a personal possession of special interest. The Foundation may accept a variety of such gifts, including historical materials, works of art, vehicles, equipment and other items. To determine the Foundation’s interest in the specific object you would like to give, please contact the Foundation.

Planned Gifts
Planned gifts offer specific tax advantages and often include lifetime income to a beneficiary named by the donor. Planned giving methods offer several benefits to the donor: capital gains tax savings, increased income, and income tax savings. A planned gift maximizes your giving potential and can even allow you to ensure your future financial security or that of a loved one. For further information about making a planned gift or bequest to the Foundation, contact the Foundation.

The Rewards of Giving

Whatever way you choose to demonstrate your support for community services and programs in La Mirada, you will be helping to build a better La Mirada.

• Your support can help teach a child the skills needed for a better life.

• Your gift can provide nutritious meals and health services for Senior Citizens.

• Your contribution can help individuals and families facing a variety of life’s challenges.

• Your generosity can expand the recreational opportunities available to the entire community.

There are almost as many ways of giving as there are programs, projects and priorities that need your support. For more information, contact the La Mirada Community Services Foundation at (562) 943-0131, or fill out the response form.

See: Community Services Foundation Board