BLACK EARTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY


Black Earth, Wisconsin

JOIN US

We hope you will join us in preserving the heritage of Black Earth, Wisconsin and serving as a resource for local historical research. We are nearly 350 members strong! Please consider volunteering or becoming a member of the Black Earth Historical Society. To volunteer, email behistoricalsoc@gmail.com Thank you.


One-year Memberships:

 $20 Individual

 $30 Couple

 $100 Sponsor

 $250.00 Patron

 $500 Lifetime Membership (per person, extends beyond annual membership)


For Businesses:  

$50 Business Membership Level I (listed sponsor in Depot Dispatch newsletter and on a group business sign at the BE History Center and BE History Museum at the Depot.)

$100 Business Membership Level II (listed sponsor in Depot Dispatch and on an individual business sign at the BE History Center and BE History Museum at the Depot, our quarterly newsletter the Depot Dispatch, plus certificate of appreciation suitable for framing.)

 $250 Business Membership Level III (all the benefits of Level II plus a copy of the book, “Black Earth: A History” by Allen Ruff, Ph.D.)

$500 Business Membership Level IV (all the benefits of Level III with a special gift and additional advertising at all BEHS events.)


Please stop at one of our meetings or mail in your membership dues to join or renew. Membership includes an emailed copy of the quarterly newsletter Depot Dispatch. Thank you for supporting the Black Earth Historical Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Questions: Contact Membership Chair, Gary Ballweg, email at:  garyaballweg@gmail.com  

photos: J. Klett, G. Ballweg

Donate Your IRA Distribution

Do you have a required minimum distribution from your IRA and want to lower your tax bill? IRA account holders aged 70½ or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI). Using an IRA to make a charitable donation can help lower a tax bill and help a worthy cause. Distributions must be made directly to the charity.  All distribution checks need to be made payable to the charity or they will be counted as taxable distributions. The Black Earth Historical Society is a qualified 501(c)3 charitable organization. The charity must receive the donation by Dec. 31 for the amount to be applied to that year’s tax return. Another way to donate IRA assets is through an estate after the donor's death by naming the charity as the designated beneficiary of the IRA. Talk to your IRA custodian about how to make this happen and be sure to leave sufficient time for the funds to reach the charity.  If you have questions, please contact your financial advisor or your tax preparer.