Ways to Give

A general donation will allow the Mountain States Children’s Home Administration and Board of Directors to allocate non-designated funding to the most important need to provide a Deeper Level of Care.  These funds will be dispersed to sufficiently satisfy the funding needed for accomplishing the Luke 2:52 vision – see “Areas of Care” tab under “About Us” for more info.

Please click here to take our 2024 Donor Survey – it’s only 9 questions!

Ways To Give

The General Fund is a non-restricted reserve fund to be used for cash emergencies and other needs to offset or reimburse operations for unexpected business expenses such as capital projects or special needs as authorized by the board.
The Endowment Fund will provide a reliable source of income that will allow MSCH to thrive for future generations.
Many people choose to donate to honor or remember a loved one. You can specify your memorial or honorarium in the notes section if you donate online or write it on your check.
Help a child with their program expense and encouragement to success
Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to complete our 4-year, $7 million Capital Campaign! We are so grateful for everyone’s support. Be on the lookout for more information.
Donate a vehicle through Vehicles for Charity
Examples of donations include landscape materials, concrete, house supplies, maintenance, sponsor a house, etc. Click here to view our current wish lists.
 
Campus Wish Lists
Organizations and churches collect food, toiletries, and paper supplies. Volunteers or staff collect the donations to be used by staff and residents of MSCH.
Our annual Gala and Benefit Auction features new and handmade items for sale in our silent and live auctions. If you have any new or handmade items, trips, vacation homes, services, etc. that you wish to donate, please contact us.

The Mountain States Thrift Store provides a donation drop-off for you to contribute items for sale in the store. Please visit the Thrift Store website here to find a list of items that can and cannot be accepted as well as collection times.
 
MSCH Thrift Store
The Campus Wish Lists are excellent ways to help with continuing costs for each of our homes, counseling, school, and farm. It is important to remember that these are wish lists, not necessarily needs lists. Each house/department is encouraged to dream a little 🙂

Wish Lists

Houseparents    (Updated 10/2022)
  • 6 Outdoor Patio Furniture Cushions (Bottom/Back)
  • Sam's Club
  • Walmart
  • Home Depot
Houseparents (Updated 6/2024)
  • (2) Hardwood Reflections Unfinished Acacia Floating Decorative Wall Shelf
  • Twin, Thick Foam Mattress Toppers (not covers but toppers)
  • Wooden Outdoor Dining Set for 8 people (chairs without armrests preferred for easy access/movement)
  • Eureka Canister 3670M Cleaner (Amazon)
  • 6 Apologetics Press Defending the Faith Bible Personal-Carry Edition (brown/soft black)
  • Recreation (Tickets/Passes for 6)
    • Denver Nuggets
  • Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage
Houseparents (Updated 6/2024)
  • 3 Step Utility Step Ladder/Stool for Indoor Use
  • O'Cedar Spin Mop Replacement Heads
  • Dishwasher Pods
  • Swiffer Dusting Pads
  • Reusable Oven Liners
  • 5x7 Entry Rug (Brown/Grey/Blues)
  • 6 Twin Thick Foam Mattress Toppers (not pads)
  • Heavy Duty Carpet Shampooer
  • Bissell Carpet Shampoo Solution
  • 2 Tan/Brown Recliners
  • Tan/Brown Couch Set
  • Batteries (AA/AAA)
  • Passes to Denver Museum of N&S
  • Longmont/Berthoud Rec Center Punch Passes
  • Candlelight Dinner Theatre Tickets
  • Home Depot
  • Lowes
  • Walmart
  • King Soopers
  • Sam’s Club
  • Ross
  • Marshalls
  • Arby’s
  • Wendy’s
  • McDonald's
  • Applebee’s
  • Texas Roadhouse
  • Dairy Queen
  • Chick-Fil-A
  • Panda Express
  • Papa Murphy's
  • Burlington
  • Chili's
  • Hobby Lobby
  • Red Robin
  • Big Lots
  • Regal/Metrolux Theatres (no Fandango please)
Houseparents (Updated 6/2024)
  • 12 Heavy Duty Drinking Glasses (16oz)
  • Electric Glass Stove 36” Stovetop- 5 Burners
  • Living Room Blinds (Light-Med Brown Wood 93W x 47L)
  • Kohls Gift Card for Living Room Curtains
  • 3 Bedroom ceiling dome-shaped light fixtures
  • New Living Room Furniture
  • Visa Gift cards to replace Bedroom Furniture (real wood, needs to be heavy-duty)
  • Walmart Gift cards to replace Kitchen Supplies
  • Walmart gift cards for Kitchen Storage Containers
  • AA/AA Batteries
  • Home Depot
  • Kohls
  • Ross/Marshalls
  • Walmart
  • King Soopers
  • Red Robin
  • McDonald’s
  • Wendy’s
  • Pizza Places
  • Chili’s
  • Applebee’s
  • Taco Bell
  • Boondocks
  • AMC/Regal Theatres
  • Blackjack Pizza
  • Baskin Robbins
  • Cold Stone
  • Sam's
Houseparents (Updated 6/2024)
  • 6-8 Heavy Duty Wood Barstools
  • Magic Bullet or Ninja Blender
  • New Couch (3 seats)
  • 2 Floor Lamps
  • Heavy Duty Carpet Shampooer
  • Outdoor Pizza Oven
  • New Patio Furniture
  • Teen/Adult Bikes
  • Outdoor Bike Rack
  • Backyard Fence
  • Hydration Backpacks for Hiking
  • Backpacks for 6 teen girls
  • Gym bags for 6 teen girls
  • CU/CSU Basketball tickets for 8
  • AA/AAA Batteries
  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Costco
  • King Soopers
  • Qdoba
  • Panda Express
  • Sonic
  • Chick-Fil-A
  • McDonalds
  • Freddy’s
  • Regal Movie Theater
  • Sally Beauty
  • Hobby Lobby
  • Kohls
  • Home Depot
  • Ikea
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Red Robin
  • Chilis
  • Cold Stone
  • Baskin Robbins
Recreational places:
  • Slick City
  • Meow Wolf
  • Get Air
  • Longmont Rec
  • Lincoln Center
  • Buell Theatre
Houseparents (Updated 6/2024)
  • Homemade Butter Maker
  • Almond Milk Maker
  • Walmart Gift card for Kitchen Supplies
  • 6 Small Nightstands for Girls Bedrooms
  • 6 5x7 Rugs for Teen Girls
  • Outdoor Patio Umbrella
  • Patio Furniture
  • Manicure/Pedicure Certificates
  • Netflix Subscription
  • Pizza Oven
  • Deli Meat Slicer
  • Walmart
  • Costco
  • Regal/Metrolux Theatres
  • Target
  • Kohls
  • Papa John's
  • Amazon
  • Whole Foods
Dustin Smith - Director of Professional Services (Updated 4/2024)
  • Small Beverage Fridge with Glass Door (see-through) for Conference Room
  • Heavy Duty Playground Balls
  • Amazon Fire TV 55" Series 4K UHD Smart TV
  • Cricut Sportflex Iron on or Siser Easyweed Stretch (white/gray/black)
  • 22" Emotions Wheel Pillow (Click Here to buy on Amazon)
  • $50 Amazon Gift Cards for Treatment Guides, Books, Etc.
  • $50 Walmart Gift Cards for Gatorade/Snacks/Supplies for TFP Program
  • $25 Gift Cards for Lunches with Teens/Houseparents (Sonic, Panda Express, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, A&W)
Abby Mears - Director of Education (Updated 7/2024) If you are donating to the school, please specify "school" on your donation.
  • Portable tabletop score flipper
  • 3 adjustable height instructor stools
  • Instant Cold Compress Packs
  • Card stock – white, assorted colors
  • Mechanical Pencil lead – sizes 0.5 and 0.7
  • Black sharpies
  • Expo whiteboard cleaner
  • College Ruled paper
  • Highlighters
  • Dry erase markers
  • Laminator Machine and supplies
  • Cricut Maker supplies for lettering and banners
  • Large Tabletop cutting board
  • Keurig cups – Starbucks Pike Place
  • Field trip tickets or funds to museums, the zoo, or other educational experiences
  • Amazon gift cards for supplies and/or textbooks
  • Wal-Mart gift cards for supplies
  • For Friday afternoon reward activities (Reward days are for students who have earned afternoon off campus activities for good behavior, solid educational effort, & consistent completion of work):
    • Fast food – McDonald’s Wendy’s Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, etc.
    • Bowling
    • Movie Tickets (Regal or Metrolux)
    • Get Air Trampoline Park
    • Gateway Park Fun Center
Dave Schmitt - Facility Manager (Updated 1/2024)
  • Heavy Duty Battery Impact Wrench (for vehicle repair – 1/2″ drive)
  • Exhaust Fan with Louvers (to install in workshop wall)
  • Heavy Duty Lift for Riding/Zero-Turn Mowers
  • Gas Chainsaw 12-16"
Planning for the future and creating the legacy you wish to leave is one of the most effective ways to ensure a lasting impact. Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures and continues to help improve children’s lives. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.

Below is suggested language to use when writing your bequest.

Unrestricted:

"I give to Mountain States Children’s Home, a Colorado nonprofit organization located at 14780 North 107th Longmont, Colorado 80504, Federal Tax ID #84-0516736, or its successor thereto, _________ (written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property).

This bequest is unrestricted and the Board of Trustees or other governing body of the organization may use and expend the same for the benefit of the Mountain States Children’s Home in any manner it deems appropriate."

Designated (or Restricted):

To designate your provision for a particular purpose:

"I give to Mountain States Children’s Home, a Colorado nonprofit organization located at 14780 North 107th Longmont, Colorado 80504, Federal Tax ID #84-0516736,

_________ (written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property).

This gift should be used for _________ (indicate specific purpose).

If, in the judgment of Mountain States Children’s Home, it shall become impossible or not prudent to use this bequest to accomplish the specific purpose of this bequest, the Board of Trustees or other governing body of the Foundation may use it for a purpose consistent with the original purpose as stated above."




If you have named Mountain States Children’s Home in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will also enable us to be good stewards of the future of MSCH.
If you have built a substantial estate and are looking for ways to receive reliable payments, consider a Charitable Remainder Trust. This type of trust provides you or other named individuals with income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create. At the end of the trust term, the balance in the trust goes to Mountain States Children’s Home.

These types of gifts offer you tax benefits and the option for income.

  • The Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) pays you, each year, the same dollar amount you chose at the start. Your payments stay the same, regardless of fluctuations in trust investments.
  • The Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. The amount of your payments is redetermined annually. If the value of the trust increases, so do your payments. If the value decreases, however, so will your payments.
Making a difference today and saving on taxes are both possible when you support Mountain States Children’s Home through your IRA. For those 70½ years of age and above, here is a special opportunity to change a child’s life forever!
A donation of insurance may be a greater benefit to you and Mountain States Children’s Home than a cash gift. It may reduce your taxable estate, saving estate taxes for upper-income taxpayers.

MSCH will receive the entire face amount of the policy upon the death of the insured. No limits exist on the size of the policy that may be donated because charitable donations have no ceiling for estate tax purposes.

Gifting Policy Dividends makes it possible for policyholders to receive the dividends paid to their life insurance policies in cash and donate them to charity. The dividends donated are deductible in the same manner as premiums paid on a gifted policy, and this strategy does not require any additional cash expenditure from the donor.

There are various methods for making life insurance donations and each has its own unique advantages. Always consult your attorney or advisor when deciding what plan of giving is best for you.
Want to make a gift to Mountain States Children’s Home without touching your bank account? Consider a gift of real estate, such as a personal residence, vacation home, farm, commercial property, or undeveloped land. Such a generous gift helps us continue our work for years to come. And a gift of real estate also helps you.

When you give Mountain States Children’s Home appreciated property you have held longer than one year, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction and you may minimize or eliminate capital gains tax. And you no longer must deal with that property's maintenance costs, property taxes, or insurance.

Another benefit: You don't have to bother with selling the real estate. You can deed the property directly to MSCH or ask your attorney to add a few sentences in your will or trust agreement.

Ways to Give Real Estate:
  • An Outright Gift
    • When you make a gift today of real estate you have owned longer than one year, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction equal to the property's full fair market value. This deduction lets you reduce the cost of making the gift and frees cash that otherwise would have been used to pay taxes. By donating the property to MSCH, you also eliminate capital gains tax on its appreciation.
  • A Gift in your Will or Living Trust
    • A gift of real estate through your will or living trust allows you the flexibility to change your mind and the potential to support MSCH programs with a larger gift than you could during your lifetime. In as little as one sentence, you can ensure that your support for MSCH continues after your lifetime.
  • A Donor Advised Fund
    • When you transfer real estate to your donor advised fund, you avoid capital gains taxes and qualify for a federal income tax deduction based on the fair market value of the property when you itemize your taxes.
  • A Retained Life Estate
    • Perhaps you like the tax advantages a gift of real estate to MSCH would offer, but you want to continue living in your personal residence for your lifetime. You can transfer your personal residence or farm to MSCH but keep the right to occupy (or rent out) the home for the rest of your life. You continue to pay real estate taxes, maintenance fees, and insurance on the property. Even though MSCH would not actually take possession of the residence until after your lifetime, since your gift cannot be revoked, you qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction for a portion of your home's value.
  • A Charitable Remainder Unitrust
    • You can contribute any type of appreciated real estate you've owned for more than one year, provided it is unmortgaged, in exchange for an income stream for life or a term of up to 20 years. The donated property may be a residence (a personal residence must be vacant upon contribution), undeveloped land, a farm, or commercial property. Real estate works well with only certain variations of charitable remainder trusts. Your estate planning attorney, who will draft your trust, can give you more details.
  • A “Bargain” Sale
    • You would sell your property to MSCH for an amount less than what it is worth. The difference between the value and the amount sold would be considered the gift to MSCH. This can be an effective way to get rid of a property that has increased in value and a way to receive a lump sum of cash and a charitable deduction at the same time.
  • An Endowed (or Memorial) Gift
    • A gift of real estate may be a perfect way to honor your loved one in perpetuity. When you make an endowed gift of real estate, your contribution is invested with and becomes part of Mountain States Children’s Home’s endowment. An annual distribution is made for the purpose you designate.
Contribute your coins (cash or checks also fit in the can!) to our change cans. Cans are distributed to businesses, individuals, and churches. Contact us if you would like a change can.
Held in December of each year, Colorado Gives Day is an all-day event that has progressed into a campaign!

Early giving begins November 1st but the official day is the first Tuesday in December.

You can also donate through this site all year long.
Some churches host a special day of giving to support the work at MSCH. Giving through your congregation’s day of giving supports the ministry.
We have created opportunities and reminders through Direct Mail to help our children. Our Appeal letters are sent five times throughout the year.
 
We also have envelopes for giving included in our newsletters.
 
If you are not part of our mailing list, please contact us to be added.
 

or mail your check to:

Mountain States Children's Home
14780 N. 107th Street
Longmont, CO 80504
Colorado residents, remember that when you give, you will help us, and you will benefit through the

Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit.

Check out the Colorado State Income 35 form to see how to take advantage of the opportunity.

Please check with your tax advisor.