Ways To Give

1. Gifts of Cash:

Cash gifts can be deducted up to 50% of adjusted gross income. On a $10,000 cash gift in a 28% tax bracket, you save $2,800 in taxes.

2. Cash Pledged Over a Period of Years:

Cash pledged over a period of years can be deducted up to 50% of adjusted gross income for the portion given each year. For a $30,000 cash gift over three years ($10,000 each year) in a 28% tax bracket, you save $2,800 in taxes for that year.

3. Appreciated Stock:

Appreciated stock (held for more than one year) makes an excellent gift. You avoid all capital-gain taxes, will receive a tax deduction and can deduct it up to 30% of your adjusted gross income.

4. Bonds, Mutual Funds:

Bonds and mutual funds are similar to cash in their tax treatment with a tax deduction for the full value of the gift. Municipal and U.S. Government Bonds are welcome.

5. CD’s, Savings Accounts, Brokerage Accounts, Checking Accounts with P.O.D. Provisions:

P.O.D. stands for Payable on Death. You retain full ownership and full control during your life. Upon your death, the account balance is paid in full to your named beneficiary immediately and without probate.

6. Gift Annuity:

In exchange for a gift of cash, stock or securities, the organization will pay you and your survivor or another person you name, a guaranteed income for life. You receive a substantial tax deduction in the year of the gift, and part of the income is tax-free. Upon your death, the gift remainder supports the organization. (Your income and tax deduction is based on your age.)

7. Deferred Gift Annuity:

This is similar to a gift annuity except payments begin at a date determined by you, upon your retirement, for example. Your tax deduction and annual rate of return increases the longer you wait to start payments.

8. Pooled Income Fund:

This is similar to a mutual fund, and you receive a portion of the fund’s annual income. You receive a substantial current year tax deduction and can avoid capital gain taxes if the gift is made with appreciated securities. Additions can be made easily. Upon your death, the fund is available to the organization.

9. Charitable Remainder Trusts (Irrevocable, Annuity and Unitrust):

Donors can select the rate of return from these income arrangements and also choose a fixed or fluctuating annual payment. Capital gains taxes are avoided completely, and you will receive a tax deduction based on the age of the income recipient and the rate of return.

10. Charitable Lead Trust:

In a charitable lead trust, assets (cash or securities) are transferred to a trust that pays income from the fund to the organization for a predetermined number of years. At the end of the time period, the trust terminates, and the assets are given back to the persons you name. The income tax deduction is for the payments made annually to the organization.

11. Bequest Through Will:

This is one of the simplest ways to give of your estate. You can make a gift bequest after others have been provided for, or a dollar amount, specific property, a percentage of the estate or what is left (remainder) to the organization.

12. Revocable Charitable Living Trust:

The gift that can be taken back! Gifts should be made on a permanent basis when it is in your best interest to do so. The revocable trust provides for gifts of cash, property, and/or income now, while retaining the rights to retrieve the property if necessary. There is no tax for the gift, but there are savings in estate settlement costs if the trust in not revoked.

13. Gift of Life Insurance:

A simple way to make a significant future gift is to name the organization beneficiary to receive all or a portion of the proceeds of an existing life insurance policy. You will receive a tax deduction for the cash surrender value, thus reducing your tax liability in the year of the gift. You may also purchase a new policy with the organization being the owner and the beneficiary of the policy. The premium when paid is tax deductible as a contribution.

14. Purchase a New Life Insurance Policy Naming the Organization Owner and Beneficiary:

You receive an income tax deduction for each premium as made and provide a major gift to the organization with a modest annual payment.

15. Retirement Accounts:

Retirement Account Funds (IRA’s) or company plans beyond the comfortable support of yourself and loved ones may be given (like life insurance proceeds) to the organization by proper beneficiary designation.

16. Personal Property:

Gifts of personal property are always welcome, subject to the organizations’ Gift Acceptance Policy. Charitable tax deductions for collections, royalty rights, etc. are available in the year of the gift.

17. Outright Gift of Real Estate:

One of the most overlooked gift forms is real estate. You will receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value as well as avoid all capital gains taxes for gifts like land, houses or vacation homes.

18. Real Estate with Life Tenancy:

Receive a substantial income tax deduction by giving (deeding) your home or farm to the organization now. You continue to live there, maintaining the property as usual and even receiving any income it generates. At your death, the organization will sell your property to support the organizations’ programs.

19. In Kind Gifts:

Gifts of goods or services are accepted by the organization subject to the organizations’ Gift Acceptance Policy. Ordinarily these gifts will be credited at their full market value as determined by appraisal or other appropriate valuation techniques.

For additional Info, contact:

Rudy Gonzalez, Scout Executive
Rio Grande Council, Boy Scouts of America
rudy.gonzalez@scouting.org
956-423-0250