Unique Cultural Tax Credit leverages Oregon dollars for culture

Created by Bend’s very own Ben Westlund, the Oregon Cultural Trust is one of Oregon’s great ideas. Designed to inspire charitable giving, the Cultural Trust’s tax credit program allows Oregonians to direct part of their state taxes to fund arts, heritage, history and humanities nonprofits across the state. How’s that for an innovative way to support your library, museum and arts groups?

Here’s how it works:

First make a donation to one of 1,500+ qualifying arts and culture organizations – including those featured in Central Oregon Gives – then make a matching donation to the Cultural Trust. Your donation to the Cultural Trust comes back, dollar for dollar,* when you claim Oregon’s Cultural Tax Credit on your state taxes.

The Trust, in turn, funds the artists, the poets, the preservationists and the dreamers who define Oregon’s great spirit and quality of life. Every year Cultural Trust funds are distributed via our network of 1,500+ cultural nonprofits, 45 county and tribal coalitions – including the Deschutes Cultural Coalition – and five statewide partners.

When you donate to the Cultural Trust, you double your impact at no cost to you and culture thrives. It’s a win-win!

*Up to $500 for individuals, $1,000 for couples filing jointly and $2,500 for C-Class corporations.

Will you join us and make your dollar count? It is the central Oregon way.