Explore tax-wise ways to maximize your charitable giving and sustain an invaluable community asset. There are several types of planned gifts to choose from, some of which may provide tax benefits.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Deposit an irrevocable gift of cash, stocks, bonds, or other securities into a charitable gift annuity and receive guaranteed fixed lifetime payments, often at rates higher than typical investments.
Fixed payment amounts are determined by age; the older you are, the higher your payments will be. The balance of your annuity will be directed to Jenkins following your lifetime.
Benefit highlight: A smart giving option for donors who want to make a large gift while still protecting their income. A portion of your fixed payments are tax free, and you can claim a tax deduction the year you make the gift.
Establish a charitable gift annuity through Everence.
Charitable Trusts
Give through a charitable trust that best suits your needs.
Give through a charitable lead trust. Contribute assets to a lead trust to provide income to Jenkins for a fixed period of time, after which the assets return to you or your heirs. A smart choice for donors with significant estates looking to reduce estate taxes while still transferring wealth to their heirs.
Give through a charitable remainder annuity trust. Contribute cash or appreciated securities to receive a fixed income based on a percentage of the initial assets used to fund the trust. Jenkins will invest the funds, while you avoid capital gains or estate taxes. At the end of the annuity trust’s term, the remaining balance goes to Jenkins. An excellent choice for donors who want to make a major gift while still ensuring that their income increases from their assets.
Give through a charitable remainder unitrust. Contribute cash or appreciated securities (including stock or real estate) to receive a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust’s assets, revalued annually. More flexible than a charitable remainder annuity trust, the payment amount of your assets will fluctuate with the market. Like annuity trusts, the remaining balance goes to Jenkins at the end of the term. A safe choice for donors who want to protect their income against inflation.
Establish a charitable trust through Everence.
Donor-Advised Fund
Give through a donor-advised fund (DAF) or designate Jenkins as a beneficiary of your fund.
A donor-advised fund offers a low-cost way to donate stock, mutual funds, or other assets and claim a federal income tax deduction in the year you make the donation.
Benefit highlight: Assets can remain invested in your donor-advised fund and grow, tax-free, until you direct which charities should receive a cash donation from the fund.
Endowment Fund
Maximize your impact with a gift to the endowment fund.
Jenkins’ endowment fund provides a stable source of long-term funding that supports general operations, specialized projects, capital upgrades, and more. Because an endowment gift is continually invested, it serves as a permanent tribute to your legacy and values for future generations. Friends, family, and fellow donors can add to your named fund at any time – a meaningful gift for any occasion.
Life Insurance
Name Jenkins a beneficiary of all or a percentage of a fully paid life insurance policy.
Grow from a policyholder into a philanthropist. Designate Jenkins as a beneficiary to support a worthwhile cause without having to make a significant donation during your lifetime.
Benefit highlight: Policyholders may receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the policy. Additionally, the benefit is not subject to income or estate taxes when received by Jenkins.
Matching Gifts
Double your gift! Ask if your company offers a matching gift program.
Retirement Assets
Name Jenkins a beneficiary of all or a percentage of your retirement plan. Eligible plans include individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k)s, 402(b)s, or pensions.
If you are over the age of 70 ½, you can make a qualified charitable distribution (or QCD) from your traditional IRA directly to Jenkins.
Benefit highlight: Avoid reporting the gift amount of the QCD as income on your taxes, lowering your overall income to be taxed. A QCD also counts toward meeting your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for that tax year.
Stock
Increase the value of your donation with a gift of appreciated stock. Eligible stocks include publicly-traded stocks, privately-held stocks, and mutual funds.
Benefit highlight: Avoid capital-gains and state income taxes on the appreciated value of the stock and receive a charitable tax deduction for the full amount of the stock’s market value at the time of transfer.
Questions? Please contact giving@jenkinsarboretum.org.
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