Donate Your Land or House

OPAL Community Land Trust gratefully accepts gifts of land and other property. All such gifts must be approved by OPAL’s board of trustees before they are accepted. Please call OPAL’s executive director Lisa Byers at 360-376-3191 or opalclt@opalclt.org to discuss a proposed gift of property.

Donate Land

If the property you wish to donate is appropriate for siting permanently affordable housing, OPAL will accept your gift and hold the property until OPAL is ready to develop it. If the property is not appropriate for development, OPAL may still accept the gift, but would arrange for the property to be sold, with the proceeds used to support affordable housing.

A donation of land can be an excellent way to make a major tax-deductible investment in OPAL. When you donate land, the full fair market value of the land is considered a charitable contribution and you may reduce your taxable income by that amount. In addition, you eliminate the need to pay property taxes on the land, and you reduce future estate tax liabilities by removing the property from your estate.

Making a gift of land through your will or trust is also an excellent way to create a permanent legacy on Orcas and reduce the value of your estate, possibly resulting in estate tax benefits for your heirs.

Donate Your House

If you have a dwelling on your property that you no longer need of that you wish to replace with a new structure, consider donating it to OPAL. If OPAL determines that the building is structurally sound, can be affordably moved and renovated, and OPAL owns or can purchase a suitable property for siting the structure, OPAL will accept your gift with gratitude.

Your donation of a building may have significant tax benefits. When you donate a house, the full fair market value of the dwelling is considered a charitable contribution and may reduce your taxable income. In addition, you eliminate the need to pay property taxes on the structure.

All inquiries to OPAL Community Land Trust are confidential and without obligation.

OPAL Community Land Trust does not offer tax or legal advice. Check with your professional tax advisor to make sure that any charitable giving strategy makes sense for you.