We invite you to use the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation as a conduit to support the arts, and positively affect the lives of musical, literary and visual artists. Your donation allows us to provide improved spaces and resources for artists to create.
The HWF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational and charitable organization dedicated to supporting artists and the creative process. Donations are tax-deductible.
We sincerely thank the incredible donors who have helped us continue Helene Wurlitzer's vision and the Foundation's 71-year legacy.
The HWF earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar/Candid! Read more
Big changes are underway at HWF! In 2026, we’re taking a bold pause in our residency program to renovate and reimagine our beloved campus. This exciting transformation is already in motion. Thanks to a generous donor, every roof on campus is being replaced! Now, we’re reaching out to our extended HWF family to join us in this once-in-a-generation effort to renew, sustain, and expand the creative sanctuary that has inspired artists since 1954.
For decades, we've done what we could to maintain the artist casitas on our campus in the narrow windows between residency sessions. For the past several decades, our casitas have been occupied by artists participating in Helene's visionary artist residency program. With three 3-month sessions each year, there’s only about a month between for upkeep, making major renovations nearly impossible.
To truly preserve and renew this historic campus for the long term, we need time and space. By pausing residencies in 2026, we’re finally creating the opportunity to do the deep work our facilities need, without disrupting the artists we serve.
While we have the roofs covered (pun intended!), we still need your help with other big-ticket improvements: stucco, windows, and interior renovations, to name a few. This is a rare opportunity to modernize and enhance our campus while the spaces are available, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation has always been a place of quiet transformation. A sanctuary where artists reflect, explore, and create. As we pause residencies in 2026 to focus on campus renovations, we’re also setting our sights on the future.
Looking ahead, Executive Director Nic Knight envisions a bold, three-tiered plan that starts with a vital renewal of the campus and sustaining the Foundation’s legacy of supporting artists, and progresses into two expansion phases.
Renovate and upgrade the existing infrastructure on our historic campus — including new roofs (already generously funded), stucco repair, energy-efficient windows, updated plumbing and electrical, interior renovations, and new appliances where needed. Achieving this goal will allow HWF to hire much-needed staff to support our mission efficiently and to replenish our endowment, ensuring the organization remains stable, resilient, and artist-focused for generations to come.
Develop additional facilities on the Foundation’s southern acreage — including indoor and outdoor performance venues, exhibition spaces, a sculpture garden, and specialized artist facilities for ceramics, printmaking, and photography. Achieving this vision would allow HWF to provide resident artists with travel and living stipends. Renderings coming soon!
Create educational and workshop spaces that serve the broader Taos community, with a focus on creative programming for local youth and emerging artists. This vision reflects HWF's deep belief in the power of creative practice — and Nic's commitment to ensuring that the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation continues to inspire artists for generations to come.
If you want to learn more, we welcome you to schedule a personal tour of our historic campus. Explore the campus to experience the serenity of the casitas, but also to see the help they’re quietly waiting on. Tour the property and discover where Nic envisions the facilities expansion.
If you’re considering a major gift or curious about how you might contribute — whether through a gift, a trade, hands-on effort, or even sharing this opportunity with fellow supporters of the arts — I’d love to speak with you personally. Let’s schedule a tour of the campus where you can learn about the Foundation’s history and vision for the future, see the impact of HWF on the lives of artists, and witness firsthand its vital role in maintaining Taos as a thriving arts community.
To start a conversation, email Nic:
admin@wurlitzerfoundation.org
You will receive a charitable tax deduction that will provide you with savings on this year's tax return.
For the past decade, estate gifts have sustained the Foundation's mission, quietly and powerfully. Maybe you're not in the position to give now, but have something you can pledge that will make a significant impact in the future. If HWF has touched your life or the life of someone you love, consider including us in your estate planning. Planned giving helps us build a healthy endowment that will support future generations of artists.
Donating appreciated securities, including stocks, bonds, and crypto, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to HWF.
Donors making gifts of $500k or more may be recognized through the dedication of a casita — one of our cherished artist studio-homes — or a new space built as part of the future expansion. It’s a unique opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on a place that fosters beauty, reflection, and creative growth.
We’re grateful for the many ways our community shows up for HWF. If you're excited about the future but not in a position to give financially, there are still plenty of ways to make a meaningful impact.
We invite local and national businesses to become project sponsors by contributing materials, services, or professional support. Recognition options include:
If your business is aligned with creativity, sustainability, or cultural preservation, let's collaborate.
We’re building a volunteer corps to assist with campus revitalization. Volunteer roles may include:
If you’d like to roll up your sleeves and help out, we’d love to hear from you. Inquire Here
We're seeking in-kind gifts that directly support our renovations and artist experience. You or your business can help by donating items such as:
If you're a supplier or contractor, we welcome donated or discounted building materials and labor for things like stucco, windows, plumbing, or electrical upgrades.
If you’re curious about how you might contribute — whether through a gift, a trade, hands-on effort, or even sharing this opportunity with fellow supporters of the arts — I’d love to speak with you personally. Let’s schedule a tour of the campus where you can learn about the Foundation’s vision and history, see the impact of HWF on the lives of artists, and witness firsthand its vital role in maintaining Taos as a thriving arts community.
- Nic Knight, Executive Director
A gift of cash is a simple and easy way for you to support HWF and artists worldwide. You will receive a charitable tax deduction that will provide you with savings on this year's tax return.
How will your gift be used?
HWF Artist Residency Program
HWF Academic Scholarship Program
For more ways we can share your gift, see 'Earmark your gift' below.
Earmark your gift
You may wish to earmark your donation for a specific HWF program. We're happy to apply your donation to any of the following categories.
Gifts that aren't earmarked will support our general operating expenses.
Leave a legacy and provide support for future artists. By including the HWF in your estate planning, you can provide hope for the future with the gift of a planned donation.
How do I make a bequest?
A bequest is an easy gift to make. With the help of an advisor, you can include language in your will or trust specifying a gift be made The HWF as part of your estate plan.
What are the benefits of making a bequest?
What are my options?
Like most people, it's likely that you will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. A gift of your retirement assets, such as a gift from your IRA, 401k, 403b, pension or other tax deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a gift. By making a gift of your retirement assets, you will help further our mission.
Benefits of gifts of retirement assets
How to make a gift of retirement assets
To leave your retirement assets to The HWF, all we need is a beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan custodian. If you designate The HWF as beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at your death. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.
More on gifts of retirement assets
60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death. Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to The HWF. As a charity, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.
A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a gift to The HWF. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy to The HWF.
Benefits of gifts of life insurance
How to make a gift of life insurance
To make a gift of life insurance, please contact your life insurance provider, request a beneficiary designation form from the insurer and include The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico as the beneficiary of your policy.
When you're ready to include HWF in your estate, investment, or gift planning you'll need some information for your paperwork. We're happy to assist you throughout the process, and in the meantime here's some helpful information.
HWF's Federal Tax ID/EIN
HWF's Incorporation Date
Our Commitment to Transparency
Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to The HWF. Just as with cash gifts, you will receive a federal income tax donation for the full market value of any securities you donate, as long as you have owned them for at least one year. By making a gift of your appreciated securities, you can avoid paying capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if you sold these assets. Support the Foundation easily with crypto donations through Endaoment! 
Benefits of gifts of stocks and bonds
How to make a gift of stocks and bonds
By electronic transfer - Please use these instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to The HWF.
By certified mail - If you hold securities in certificate form, you will need to mail two envelopes separately to complete your gift. In the first envelope, place the unsigned stock certificate(s). In the other envelope, include a signed stock power for each certificate. You may obtain this power from your broker or bank. Please remember to use certified mail.
More on gifts of stocks and bonds
There are special rules for valuing a gift of stock. The value of a charitable gift of stock is determined by taking the mean between the high and low stock price on the date of the gift. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.
When you're ready to include HWF in your estate, investment, or gift planning you'll need some information for your paperwork. We're happy to assist you throughout the process, and in the meantime here's some helpful information.
Securities Transfer Instructions
HWF's Federal Tax ID/EIN
HWF's Incorporation Date
Our Commitment to Transparency
Beyond giving cash, there are plenty of other ways you can support The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation. You can donate property and other valuables, including your time as a volunteer.
Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, or commercial property can make a great gift to The HWF.
Benefits of gifts of real estate
How to make a gift of real estate
Your real property may be given to The HWF by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. Your gift will generally be based on the property's fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal. If you're interested in donating land or real estate we'll help with all of the logistics.
The HWF provides bicycles for artists in residence. We have an ongoing need for bikes, helmets, bike locks, and bicycle maintenance.
Gain valuable experience and extra-curricular credit by volunteering your time to help in the office at the HWF.
We appreciate gifts of furniture, appliances and valuables that are in good condition. Gifts of this sort can be used in our artist residency casitas.
Art, jewelry, collections, and other items we may sell also make great gifts. If the estimated value of your gift requires an appraisal or Deed of Gift, we'll help you out with the details.
