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Help preserve our past and shape the future

When you make a gift to The Arts Council, you play an essential role in our mission to continue its legacy which began in 1976 by offering one of the best experiences of arts and culture in welcoming historical environments that inspire and delight.

Discover the many ways that your gift to The Arts Council will continue to build a lasting legacy. Whether you’re interested in supporting a specific exhibition or program, becoming an Individual or Corporate Sponsor, making an Annual Fund gift or including us in your estate plans, know that your gift helps us to inspire and educate audiences of all ages through performances, exhibitions, educational programming and continued care of our historical venues and performance spaces.

The Arts Council is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law. (Tax exempt number: 58 1163155)

Individual Giving

Legacy Planning

The Smithgall Arts Center and the historic First Methodist Church (Sanctuary) stand as extraordinary examples of legacy at its finest. Lessie and Charles Smithgall generously gifted these treasured properties to The Arts Council, along with a seed endowment to ensure their care. Through her will, Lessie further provided funds to begin restoration of the historic church. Her vision was clear: that these beloved spaces remain dedicated to presenting unique arts and cultural experiences for the entire community.

You, too, can create a legacy that ensures The Arts Council continues to enrich the lives of students, families, and future generations. Planned gifts not only make a lasting difference but may also provide meaningful tax advantages or income benefits for you and your loved ones.

There are many simple ways to leave such a gift—through your will or living trust, gifts of life insurance or retirement assets, and more. Whatever form it takes, your legacy will help keep the arts alive and accessible for years to come.

Gifts of Stock

Using appreciated stock is an excellent way to make a gift to The Arts Council because it offers significant tax benefits without affecting your cash flow.

Gifts of stock or appreciated assets
Many donors choose to make gifts of appreciated stocks or mutuals rather than giving cash to offset their capital gains even further. Like giving cash, donating appreciated stock can offer a sizeable charitable deduction. When you donate appreciated assets directly to a charity, the receiving organization gains the full proceeds from the sale, and you eliminate any realized capital gains that would’ve occurred if you sold that asset and instead donated cash. These assets can also be used to fund a charitable trust or a life income agreement.

Transfer of Stock
Before transferring stock to The Arts Council, please notify us of your intentions and the details of your gift, including stock type and number of shares to be transferred. We will need this information to properly credit you and issue a receipt for tax purposes.

For more information on making a gift of stock, contact:
Advancement & Engagement staff at 770.534.2787 or pamela.wl@theartscouncil.net

Qualified Charitable Distributions

Qualified charitable distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) are current gifts with an immediate impact. Often referred to as "IRA Charitable Rollover Gifts," these gifts are distributions paid directly from an IRA to a nonprofit.

If you are 70½ or older, you can transfer as much as $100,000 per year from an IRA directly to The Arts Council—without counting this transfer as taxable income.

If you were 70½ before January 1, 2020, the qualified charitable distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). If you are 70½ after January 1, 2020, you do not have required minimum distribution until age 72. If you do not meet your RMDs, IRA owners face a large tax penalty. This means you would either withdraw those amounts (increasing your taxable income) or donate them as a qualified charitable distribution.

The most common way to make this gift is to submit a request to your IRA custodian. For more information on Qualified Charitable Distributions to The Arts Council, contact: Advancement & Engagement staff at 770.534.2787 or pamela.wl@theartscouncil.net.

Corporate Giving

Extend your reach to new customers, receive public recognition, and build community goodwill through sponsorship of the Arts Council. The options listed below provide promotional opportunities for your company to benefit from name placement in front of a premium audience at the Smithgall Arts Center. Build your brand, receive valuable recognition, and support great events and programming for our community. Contact Pamela Williams-Lime for details at 770-534-2787 or pamela.wl@theartscouncil.net

Performance Sponsorship

Evenings of Intimate Jazz – January-May 9 performance series
- Click HERE to View Sponsorship Opportunities
Summer Music Series -May -September

Exhibition Sponsorship

Sponsors play an important role in supporting exhibitions and bringing important artwork to Northeast Georgia. Exhibition Sponsors are recognized in many highly visible ways, enhancing their profile and demonstrating their commitment to the arts.

Annual Hall Couty Artist Educator Exhibit -through October 17
Lee Anne White - November through February

Event Sponsorship

Throughout the year, the Smithgall Arts center hosts a variety of exciting events. Event sponsors support popular programming and receive valuable recognition from key audiences.