Giving to the Mercy Foundation

Mercy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. All contributions to the Foundation directly benefit St. Edward Health System programs and community projects in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. While gifts of cash are the most popular method of supporting the Mercy Foundation, there are a variety of options available to potential donors. To learn more, just click on one of the topics below.

Cash • Matching Gifts • Memorials • Wills • Trusts •
Appreciated Securities • Life Insurance
Restricted and Unrestricted Gifts

Cash
A gift of cash is always welcome. Gifts of cash are accepted by way of a personal check or credit card (MasterCard and Visa). If you would like to give by credit card online, you may click here or you may also make a gift by credit card by calling the Mercy Foundation office at (479) 314-1133. Personal checks may be addressed to Mercy Foundation, P.O. Box 17000, Fort Smith, AR 72917.

Matching Gifts
Check to see if you or your spouse’s company has a corporate matching gifts program. Mercy Foundation qualifies for most “Matching Gift” programs. Taking advantage of this wonderful gift option through your company Personnel Benefits Office may allow you to double or even triple your gifts.

Memorials
Memorial donations are typically made in memory of a deceased family member, friend or coworker. Often, the obituary includes a statement indicating which charity the deceased’s family wishes to recognize. An Honorarium donation honors special people in our lives. Memorials and Honorariums are a way to honor loved ones, while at the same time helping others.

A card is sent to the honoree or relative of the deceased to inform them of your gift. To give your gift online, click here. If you prefer, you may call the Mercy Foundation at (479) 314-1133 for more information.

Wills
A Will is the easiest and most effective means to ensure that you fully provide for your family and that your assets are distributed as you wish. Gifts by Will (or bequests), both large and small have been important to the Mercy Foundation since its founding. A bequest in your will can be made to the Mercy Foundation for a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after you have provided for others. Click here to see why you should have a Will.

Trusts
Revocable living trusts and charitable remainder trusts are used to help property owners safeguard their assets and distribute them to loved ones and charitable organizations in accordance with their wishes. A Trust can help reduce or eliminate income, estate and gift taxes; minimize the expense and delays of the probate process; and provide income for your loved ones. A Revocable Trust ultimately left to charity can provide a substantial savings in federal estate taxes.

Appreciated Securities
Stock that has been held more than one year and has gone up in value can make an excellent charitable gift. Not only do you avoid all capital gains taxes, but you also receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of your gift. The full value may be used to offset up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. Any part of the gift that exceeds the 30 percent threshold may be carried forward for up to five additional years.

Life Insurance
You can make a significant gift by naming the Mercy Foundation as the beneficiary and assigning ownership of the policy to the Foundation. With this method of giving, a major give may be made with only a modest annual payment. In addition, you can secure a valuable income tax deduction.

Restricted and Unrestricted Gifts
You may designate that your gift be used for a specific need or you can allow us to apply your donation to meet the foundation's most urgent needs. This type of unrestricted gift may be applied to help numerous hospital services. If you wish to designate your gift for a specific purpose, we ask that you contact us so we can be sure we'll be able to carry out your wishes.