Making charitable contributions is an art — a creative process that adapts to the changing needs and wishes of the donor. Planned giving enables a donor to arrange charitable contributions in ways that maximize his or her personal objectives while minimizing the after-tax cost.

 

Depending on the asset given and the gift arrangement selected, a donor can generally expect to obtain some of all of the following benefits:

• Philanthropic goals

• Reduce income tax through a deduction for the gift

• Avoid capital-gain tax on gifts of long-term appreciated property

• Retain life income for the donor and other beneficiaries

• Increase spendable income

• Eliminate federal estate tax on property passing to charity upon the donor's death

• Reduce costs and time in estate settlement

 

The following are suggestions of planned charitable gifts. You should consult with your own tax and legal advisors for a full discussion of the tax implications of particular gift plans.

 

Outright Gifts

• Cash

• Securities and Real Estate

• Tangible Personal Property

Deferred Gifts

• Life-Income Plans

• Charitable Remainder Trust

• Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

• Pooled Income Fund

Gifts by will or bequest

• Specific bequest

• General bequest

• Residual bequest

• Contingent bequest

Life Insurance

Gifts to fund the future