Contributing to MSSM and Its Activities
A Guide for Parents
       Any contribution you make to support activities at the MSSM (as opposed to funds to benefit a specific student) is potentially tax deductible, even money paid to the local pizza parlor to deliver to the dormitory. But the IRS may not be happy with your pizza parlor receipt. If you send your check to The MSSM Foundation, a 501 c(3) organization, a copy of your cancelled check or a gift acknowledgement letter from the Foundation will be a more convincing proof of a contribution. (Of course you won't be able to defend a tax deduction for a gift designated specifically for your, or another person's, child.)

       There are three ways to direct how your contribution may be used: (1) Y our gift can be without restrictions, (2) you can ask that the money be assigned to one of the existing accounts below, or (3) you can ask that the gift be used for a specific purpose not listed. The Foundation may or may not accept your gift for a purpose not designated here. If the purpose is not within the areas supported by the Foundation, your check will be returned.

    1. Stay-At-Home-Ball
    2. Student Activity Fund: for student activities specified by the school
    3. Individual Room and Board: to help students who can't afford the fee
    4. Individual Technology
    5. Educational Travel
    6. Student Assistance: to help students with SAT fees, A.P. fees, and small items
    7. Honorarium: mostly for visiting scholars and speakers
    8. Visiting Writer
    9. Summer Scholar
   10. Alumni Association
   11. Parents Group: for student activities designated by the Parents Group
   
       The Foundation's directors will determine how best to use unrestricted gifts to meet the greatest needs of the MSSM.

       Make out your check to MSSM Foundation and send it to:
The MSSM Foundation
95 High St.
Limestone, ME 04750
March 17, 2005
David Haines