Working to protect the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities area

Home

Send to Friend

FromTo


Send to a Friend from Friends of the Mississippi River

Supporting FMR: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

Answers

How is FMR supported?

FMR receives cash and in-kind support from members and other individual contributors, foundations and corporate giving programs, corporate sponsorship and pledge revenue from the Mississippi River Challenge, and government contracts. Our Annual Reports include a list of all major contributors for their respective years.

We also rely annually on the help of thousands of volunteers to carry out our work!

Does FMR have an annual report?

FMR publishes an annual report some time around June each year for the previous year, and if you are a member you will receive one in the mail. You can also view the report online or view our organizational profile at GuideStar, a national database of non-profit organizations.

What will my contribution support?

Your contribution will directly support the fine work of an organization dedicated to protecting your community’s water resources, public health as it relates to water quality, and the natural, cultural, recreational and historic amenities you enjoy because of the Mississippi River. This web site is filled with information about the programs, project and activities your gift will support, and you can ask specific questions about particular projects by contacting us.

You can also visit our Dollar Can Do page for an idea of what we can accomplish with gifts of different sizes.

Is my contribution tax deductible?

FMR is federally recognized as a public charily under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, and also by the Attorney General of Minnesota. Your contribution is probably fully tax deductible — however, we recommend checking with your tax advisor if you have questions, concerns or doubts.

My company matches my gifts to 501(c)(3) organizations. Is FMR eligible to receive this type of match?

The IRS recognizes FMR as a public charily under section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. Unless your company has other gift match restrictions, FMR is eligible to receive this type of match.

Is it safe and secure for me to donate online to FMR?

Your online donations are safe and secure. When you donate online, the connection between your computer and our payment processing page is encrypted (look for “https://” at the beginning of the web address — the “s” indicates a secure connection). We rely on professional service providers who serve a wide range of customers to handle our credit card processing and record-keeping, and the security of these vendors is regularly verified. In order to further tighten security, FMR does not store your sensitive credit card or bank account information on our own servers — Only our merchant services provider retains this information.

Can I make a recurring online donation?

Soon you will be able to schedule a monthly, quarterly or yearly gift to FMR via your credit card or checking account. This is a great way to make a big impact for the river with minimal impact on your personal cash flow, and we highly encourage it! In the meantime, please contact our Development Associate, Kerry Walsh, to discuss setting up this option over the phone.

Whom do I contact if I have a question or problem making an online donation?

Please ask for assistance by contacting Gabe Ormsby through our online contact form or calling him at 651-222-2193 x17.

Can I make a donation by phone or by mail?

You certainly can! Please call our Development Associate, Kerry Walsh, at 651-222-2193 x22 to donate by phone with a credit card or set up an automatic deduction plan. Or send a check or money order payable to “Friends of the Mississippi River” to Friends of the Mississippi River, 360 N Robert Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101. Thank you!

Can I make a gift in honor or in memory of someone?

Absolutely, and thanks for honoring us in this way as well! Please note the reason for the gift in the Gift Details section of the online donation page or include a note with your mailed gift. Please be sure to indicate exactly how you want the gift to be recognized in our annual report.

How can I make a gift of stock or appreciated securities to FMR?

FMR has a stock brokerage account established to accept stocks or bonds. Please contact our Development Associate, Kerry Walsh, through our online contact form or 651-222-2193 x22 for DTC instructions.

Will FMR rent, sell or trade my personal information?

We do not rent or sell personal information. FMR does occasionally trade lists (names and addresses only) with other non-profit organizations on a one-time use basis. If you do not want your name traded, please indicate that when you join or at any time thereafter by contacting us.

Can I purchase additional premium items?

A few of FMR’s premium items are available on our FMR merchandise page. Some of them are used exclusively as thank-you gifts in select fundraising appeals, and may not be available for sale at this time. Read more…