While memberships and endowments make up a percentage of the Operating Budget of the Library Society, we would be at a great loss without the donations that continuously sustain our operations and developement. To better recognize this generosity, the Society has instituted a tiered system of donor acknowledgement. These named levels of giving honor a few of those men and women who stand out in the history and collections of the Library.

Beatrice Witte Ravenel Circle (Gifts from $100-$249)
Beatrice Witte Ravenel (1870-1956) was a Charleston poet and artist. While attending Radcliffe she joined the editorial board of Harvard Monthly Magazine. Appearing in The Atlantic and Harper’s, her poetry garnered national attention and acclaim. Though her published output was small, and the writing of poetry never more than a minor part of Mrs. Ravenel’s personal life, her work is now recognized as the best poetry of the Charleston Renaissance, and she the equal of any poet of her era.

• All of the benefits and privileges of Friend of the Library membership, plus


• Notice of and reduced admission to special circle events


• A private, docent-led tour for you and your guests, by appointment


• Acknowledgement of your support in the Annual Report to donors

John Bennett Circle (Gifts from $250-$499)
John Bennett was born in Ohio in 1865, but married Susan Smythe and moved to Charleston 1902. The author of childrens books like Master Skylark and Barnaby Lee, and Newberry Award Honoree The Pigtail of Ah Lee Ben Loo. Bennett also wrote local folk tales (like Doctor to the Dead and Madame Margot). Bennett cofounded the Poetry Society of South Carolina, and was an early influence on and advisor to DuBose Heyward.

• All of the benefits listed above, plus:


• Invitation to one Fellows event

John Drayton Circle (Gifts from $500-999)
John Drayton (1766-1822) was twice Governor of South Carolina, elected once in 1800 and again in 1808. During his time in office, he oversaw the founding of South Carolina College, today the University of South Carolina, and eliminated financial restrictions on suffrage. Drayton was an avid writer, and authored an important history of the Revolutionary War, one of the first books of South Carolina history, and multiple natural histories.

• All of the benefits listed above, plus:


• Use of the Ross Fellows Room


• Invitation to Fellows events


• One Friend of the Library gift membership to be sent to the recipient of your choice

DuBose Heyward Circle (Gifts from $1,000-$2,499)

DuBose Heyward (1885-1940) was a novelist, poet and playwright. Most famous for his 1924 book Porgy and its subsequent adaptations, including Porgy and Bess: for his work penning its’ libretto, Stephen Sondheim hailed him as "the author of the finest set of lyrics in the history of the American musical theater." Heyward also helped found the Poetry Society of South Carolina, and was a member of the Society for the Preservation of Spirituals. He was an active member of the Charleston Library Society, and often worked in our Main Reading Room. His original manuscripts for Porgy are a beloved part of the Library’s collection.

• All of the benefits listed above, plus:


• A second gift membership


• Recognition as a Patron Donor

Eliza Lucas Pinckney Circle (Gifts from $2,500-$4,999)

Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722-1793) was not only an important figure in colonial and early republican South Carolina, but one of the most distinguished and accomplished women of the eighteenth century. Sent to England to pursue higher education at a time formal female education was very rare, the young Eliza Lucas fell in love with botany. Returning to Charleston, she began to work on the familiy’s plantations: she personally managed three of them by the age of sixteen. There she began carefully cultivating test crops, eventually perfecting a strand of indigo that brought immense wealth to colonial South Carolina.

Eliza Lucas was married to Charles Pinckney, a Chief Justice of South Carolina. She was mother to Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, minister to France, signer of the Constituion, and candidate for president; also mother to Thomas Pinckney, ambassador to Great Britain, member of the U.S. House, and candidate for the vice-presidency. When she died, George Washington was among her pallbearers.

• All of the benefits listed above, plus:


• Opportunity to designate one item for conservation


• Lunch with the Executive Director and briefing on Library activities

John Locke Fellows Circle (Gifts over $5,000)
John Locke (1632-1704) was the foremost English philosoper of the 17th century. His work was founded in the humanism of his day- the writings of Erasmus, Hobbes, and Spinoza- but surpassed them all, and in so doing created modern liberal theory. Locke’s liberalism ushered in the Enlightenment, and his philosophy was the intellectual underpinning of the American Revolution. In 1669, while serving as secretary for Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, Locke co-wrote the Fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas,a largely liberal framework for governing the new colony. An original manuscript copy of the Constitution is in the posession of the Society, and is perhaps its single greatest treasure.

• All of the benefits listed above, plus:


• Limited edition reprint of a special item from the collections


• Satisfaction of perpetuating a venerable institution.

Click here to become a member at a Giving Circle level.

or

Click here to donate, at any level, via PayPal.

Throughout its history, the Charleston Library Society has been blessed with members who have donated time and resources to ensuring our organization’s success. Your charitable gifts, like those of our forebears, are crucial to strengthening the Charleston Library Society and providing it with a sound foundation for the future. In addition, your gifts speak volumes about how much you value the important role that the Charleston Library Society serves in your intellectual life. Please call 843.723.9912 for more details on giving to the Charleston Library Society.

Gifts of Cash
Gifts of cash are fully deductible up to 50% of your gross income in the year of the gift. For example, if your adjusted gross income for this year is $50,000, up to $25,000 of charitable gifts may be deducted this year. Any excess can generally be carried forward and deducted over as many as five subsequent years.

Securities and Gifts of Stock
The Charleston Library Society gladly accepts gifts of securities. A gift of appreciated stock generally offers two benefits: you receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock, and you avoid paying capital gains tax.

Real Estate Gifts
Tax benefits for gifts of appreciated real estate are virtually identical to those for gifts of appreciated securities. Real property such as personal residences, undeveloped land, or farms may be transferred by deed with no liability for income or estate taxes on the appreciations.

Life Insurance
A tax deductible gift of whole or universal life insurance can be made by naming the Charleston Library Society as owner and beneficiary. You could purchase a new policy or donate a policy that you currently own but no longer need. Check with you insurance agent for details.

Charitable Gift Annuities
You can guarantee a fixed income for your life and/or that of your spouse by simply transferring cash or appreciated securities to the Charleston Library Society in exchange for a charitable gift annuity. The attractiveness of the gift annuity is in its two basic benefits: 1) an immediate and substantial income tax charitable deduction; and 2) favorably taxed annuity benefits.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
You can fund a charitable remainder trust with cash for appreciated property and receive income from the assets for your lifetime, qualify for a charitable deduction, and save capital gains and estates taxes. After your life/or that of a loved one ends, the trust assets would be distributed outright to the Charleston Library Society.

Charitable Lead Trusts
Under this arrangement, you transfer assets to a trust which makes payments to the Charleston Library Society for a specified number of years, after which time the assets are transferred to your heirs. The charitable lead trust allows you to pass assets on to your children and grandchildren with little or no estate and gift taxes. This option makes good sense for anyone in the top estate and gift tax brackets.

Bequests
You can name the Charleston Library Society in your will in a number of ways. You could specify an outright gift, either a designated dollar amount or percentage of your estate. You also could name the Charleston Library Society as a remainder beneficiary to receive funds only after special sums have been paid to individual beneficiaries. In addition, you can easily add us to your will through an amendment to your will called a codicil.

For More Information
Check with your attorney, accountant, or other tax advisor for additional information on how these general rules apply to your situation. Each person’s financial situation is unique, and we will be glad to work with you to help you find the most suitable arrangements to make the best choices for you and your family.