The League of Women Voters of Schenectady County draws from two main funds:
- LWVSC Operating Fund
- LWVNY Education Fund (Schenectady County)
The LWVSC Operating Fund is a Schenectady-local 501(c)4 entity, which means donations are not tax deductible. This funds political activities like campaigning and lobbying on specific issues as well as day-to-day operations, like voter registration and P.O. Box fees, as well as sending delegates to the State and National Conventions. The operating fund is managed entirely locally by our League members here in Schenectady County with an account at TrustCo Bank.
The LWVNY Education Fund is a state-wide 501(c)3 entity, which means that donations are tax deductible, but spending must be limited to educational activities with no campaigning or lobbying permitted. The statewide fund has a Schenectady-specific account for our local activities, but in order to use those, our local LWV branch must go through a more complex process (ie. approvals and/or invoicing).
Your Membership Fees
When you join or renew membership with the LWVSC, you choose your own annual dues amount, with a suggested amount of $75 and a minimum of $20. Your dues are then distributed as follows:
- 20% to the LWV Schenectady County Operating Fund
- 47% to the LWV of New York State
- 33% to the LWV of the United States
Donating Additional Funds
When you join or renew membership with the LWVSC via the online portal, you choose your own annual dues amount, with a drop-down list of $75 (the suggested amount), $150, $250, or $500, with the option of putting in your own amount, as long as it's at least a minimum of $20. After clicking Next, you may donate any additional amount that you choose that will go directly to the LWVSC Operating Fund. For both, these will be a one-time payment unless you choose to renew each year, and a nominal fee will be deducted from your donation for the credit card processing fees (c. 3%).
You can always click the Donate button on our website to find a donation form if you would like to donate via check.
At any time, you can always make an online donation:
- You can make a donation to the LWVSC Operating Fund here.
- You can make a donation to the LWVNY Education Fund here. Be sure to choose Schenectady County as your local League.
Katie Beltramo
Bulletin Editor
