No galas. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​No frills. No bureaucracy. Just measurable impact for the organizations within our vetted Nonprofit Network.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Give in the way that works best for you: one time, monthly, legacy, or stock gifts.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Wherever you call home, our team will make the process seamless. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Like you, our hearts are in San Miguel. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Forever.

No galas. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​No frills. No bureaucracy. Just measurable impact for the organizations within our vetted Nonprofit Network.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Give in the way that works best for you: one time, monthly, legacy, or stock gifts.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Wherever you call home, our team will make the process seamless. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Like you, our hearts are in San Miguel. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Forever.

Adorable young girl holding a white puppy against a red wall in San Miguel.

No galas. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​No frills. No bureaucracy. Just measurable impact for the organizations within our vetted Nonprofit Network.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Give in the way that works best for you: one time, monthly, legacy, or stock gifts.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Wherever you call home, our team will make the process seamless. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Like you, our hearts are in San Miguel.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Forever.

Donor FAQ

You can give with complete confidence.You can give with complete confidence.When you give through the San Miguel Community Foundation, your donation is processed as a U.S. charitable contribution to a registered 501(c)(3) organization.

We are proud to have earned Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest level of recognition offered by the world’s leading nonprofit information platform. The ranking reflects our deep commitment to open reporting, financial clarity, measurable results, and responsible stewardship of every donation we receive.

We carefully vet every nonprofit we support, reviewing their legal status, financial transparency, and on-the-ground impact. We require robust reporting from every grantee, ensuring that funds are used exactly as intended and that outcomes are clearly documented.

Your donation is safe, fully tax-deductible in the United States, and directed to trusted local organizations making a measurable difference in San Miguel.

More than 90% of your gift goes directly to nonprofits within our network. A small stewardship allocation preserves the transparency and support systems that help all our member organizations thrive.

Yes! You may earmark your donation to any member organization within the SMCF Nonprofit Network. Write the name of the organization you would like to designate in the box at checkout, and we’ll handle the rest. If you are donating via check, please add the name in the memo field.

Giving is not one-size-fits-all. Every donor has unique goals, values, and circumstances. At SMCF, we see our role as more than a funding conduit — we are your partner in building a legacy of impact.

What We Offer:

  • Complimentary Guidance – Our volunteer board and bilingual team are available to help you navigate giving options at no cost.

  • Customized Strategies – We work with you (and, if desired, your financial or legal advisors) to design a giving plan that fits your tax situation, family needs, and vision for impact.

  • Local Knowledge – With 50 years of grassroots experience in San Miguel, we connect donors directly to vetted nonprofits doing the most critical work in our community.

  • Trusted Stewardship – Every peso and every dollar is carefully managed to ensure your gift has the greatest possible effect.

Whether you’re considering a one-time donation, planned giving, or establishing a legacy fund, SMCF provides a safe, transparent, and deeply local way to make your philanthropy meaningful.

When it comes to your legacy, you have a choice:

  • Voluntary Philanthropy: You decide where your resources go — supporting your family and the causes closest to your heart. With thoughtful planning, you can direct your estate to strengthen San Miguel and ensure your values live on.

  • Involuntary Philanthropy: Without planning, a large portion of your estate may go to taxes, leaving the government to decide where those funds will be used.

By choosing voluntary philanthropy, you remain in control — creating a legacy that reflects your ideals and shapes a stronger future for San Miguel de Allende.

  • Permanent Endowment Pool: Contribute to a growing endowment whose income supports San Miguel nonprofits year after year.
  • Designated Program Support: Direct your donation to a specific project or nonprofit area that matters to you.
  • Customized Strategies: Our volunteer board can connect you with bilingual advisors to help structure gifts that maximize both impact and tax benefits.

Without planning, your estate may be subject to significant taxation, leaving less for your family and the causes you care about. By making intentional choices now, you can become a voluntary philanthropist — deciding exactly how your legacy will shape San Miguel de Allende’s future.

Your generosity can extend far beyond a single gift. Planned giving ensures your impact continues for years to come, while also offering potential tax advantages for U.S. donors.

  • Bequests

    • Specific Bequest: Designate a set dollar amount, percentage, or asset in your will.

    • Residual Bequest: After expenses and specific gifts are settled, the remaining amount is distributed to SMCF.

    • Contingent Bequest: SMCF receives a gift only under certain conditions (e.g., if no surviving family).

  • Trusts & Annuities

    • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): Provides you with income for life, with the remainder passing to SMCF.

    • Charitable Lead Trust (CLT): Pays income to SMCF for a set period, then passes the remainder to your heirs.

    • Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA): Guarantees you a lifetime income stream in exchange for your donation.

  • Life Insurance

    • Name SMCF as a beneficiary on a new or existing policy.

    • Explore “life settlement” strategies where an unwanted policy can be converted into a charitable gift.

  • Cash

  • Real Estate (residential, commercial, or land)

  • Personal Property (artwork, jewelry, vehicles)

  • Publicly Traded or Closely Held Securities

  • Retirement Assets (IRAs, 401(k)s)

  • Life Insurance Policies

  • In-kind Gifts

We welcome gifts from around the world. Because tax laws differ by country, here’s how giving works depending on where you call home:

United States Donors

    • SMCF is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S.

    • Donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

    • Planned giving options (bequests, trusts, securities, retirement accounts) can help reduce estate and capital gains taxes while creating income streams for donors.

    • Donating appreciated real estate through a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) can help avoid capital gains taxes, provide lifetime income, and leave a meaningful legacy with SMCF.

Mexico Donors

    • We welcome contributions from anywhere in the world.

    • Tax deductibility depends on your home country’s laws.

    • Many international donors choose to give because of the direct impact on San Miguel’s nonprofits.

    • In some cases, we can collaborate with international donor-advised funds or partner organizations to extend benefits.

    • Partnering through a donor-advised fund in your home country may allow you to support SMCF projects while still receiving local tax advantages.

International Donors

  • We welcome contributions from anywhere in the world.

  • Tax deductibility depends on your home country’s laws.

  • Many international donors choose to give because of the direct impact on San Miguel’s nonprofits.

  • In some cases, we can collaborate with international donor-advised funds or partner organizations to extend benefits.

  • Reduce or eliminate estate taxes by directing part of your estate to charity.

  • Avoid or reduce capital gains taxes by gifting appreciated assets such as real estate or securities.

  • Maintain or create lifetime income streams while making a lasting gift.

Yes! We’re working to add PayPal as a donor portal option. In the meantime, you can make your gift via PayPal here.

We would be honored to discuss your goals and help explore strategies that align with your values. Send us a note.

Phone: Mexico +52 415.152.5327 |  415.152.7447
Email: give@smcf.org
Office: Prol Pila Seca 91A, Col San Antonio, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México 37700