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.ing The rk eans ch gift luceu don- e e 3. Provide information on tax deductibility. If you're a public agency ora tax-exempt,nonpro it organization, one of your key selling points is the tax deductibility of the value of gifts given through the gifts catalog. Many individuals, businesses and corporations have need of, and can take full advantage of, the tax deductibility for making chari- table contributions. Without specifically citing tax deductibility, an agency can lose potential gifts. 4. Indicate the recognition that is attached to clifts of various values. Be specific. If the donor of a gift worth100 is to receive a framed Certificate of Appreciation --say so. Exercise some subtlety, so that the appeal for gifts remains on the human level, but let a potential contributor know what he or she can expect in the form of recognition. Again, be sure to provide recognition in the catalog for those who donated to its design and production. 5. Index or categorize giving options to provideclarit . Some gifts catalogs categorize gifts very simply. lulsa s uses three categories: "general needs," "special needs," and "super needs." The "Livable New York Catalog" itemizes needs --'Ready to go Improve- ments' they call them --in ten separate categories, from tree planting to playground equipment to "other possibilities." Possible categories include: *By specific parks *By cost range --$5-25, $25-50, etc. *By size of item--lrg., med., sm. *Programs *Facilities *Labor/Staffing *Expertise/Services *Land *Equipment/Materials *Landscaping *Recreation Experiences *Adopt -a -Park *Adopt -a -Program *Serendipity --"You Name the Gift" 6. Provide lots of suggestions on giving options. It is important to let a potential donor know that a gift to t e park department or nonprofit organization can be made in a number of ways. By listing some of the options, more donors will feel comfortable participating in the gifts catalog program. *Suggest that either cash for an item or the item itself will be welcome. *Someone interested in equipment for a program might also be interested in helping to fund the program. *If a donor cannot afford the entire cost of an item, he/she should be encouraged to contribute to.its partial cost. *Neighbors should be encouraged to join together to give a gift.' There are several tips which will lead to an effective catalog: *Present gifts attractively. Use quality graphics liberally. Every picture tells a story and in a gifts catalog, a picture is truly worth a thousand words. (Maybe even a thousand dollars!) L