If you have any questions, please contact John Rodenberg at
or (909) 624-0712.
- Cash
A cash gift is the most common type of gift that DSF receives. According to the IRS, you can offset up to fifty percent of your adjusted gross income with a cash gift. Each time a cash gift is given to DSF we provide a formal receipt which you can forward to the IRS if you itemize your deductions. The gift then can be deducted from your income. If you are planning a major gift that exceeds the fifty percent limit in the current year, you may carry the extra deduction forward for up to five years. Most cash gifts are given to the annual fund. Some donors choose to make cash gifts over multi-year period, based on an initial written pledge that outlines the amount and payment schedule for the gifts.
Benefits:
· Tax deduction from income
- Securities
Gifts of common stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other appreciated securities may be made to DSF if owned for at least one year. Depending on the circumstances, the securities will either be managed or liquidated to achieve the donor's goals. A popular benefit of such a gift beyond the charitable income tax deduction is that, in most cases, capital gains tax on the appreciation of the securities can be avoided and the full market value can be deducted if you itemize.
Benefits:
· Avoid estate and capital gains tax
- Insurance
Insurance is most often used to offset the loss of income. If your circumstances have changed from the time that you first set up a policy you can donate the policy as a charitable gift to DSF. As long as DSF is the owner and beneficiary the gift is tax-deductible. Even if the policy is not fully paid, the premium payments may also be deducted.
It is also quite common now to set-up a new policy naming DSF as the owner and beneficiary. The premium payments may be deducted and DSF receives a major gift upon the policy's maturation.
Benefits:
· Tax deduction for premiums paid by donor.
· Avoid estate taxes and probate costs.
- Real Estate
Gifts of real estate and many other properties of value may be given to DSF as well. These gifts can often receive the same tax treatment as gifts of securities. The advantage of donating real estate especially if it has appreciated significantly since the time of purchase is that there is no capital gains tax plus and the property can be deducted from income at the fair market value.
Benefits:
· Avoid estate and capital gains tax
- Matching Gifts - Many companies match the gifts their employees make. If your employer has a matching gift program, your own gift to a specific area of support may be doubled or even tripled. If your company has a matching gift program, the Human Resources Department at your company will be able to provide you with additional details and a matching gift form.
Please contact John Rodenberg at jrodenberg@dsf.edu or call 909 624-0712 for additional information.
- Planned Giving Opportunities – There are ways that you may support DSF's emerging theological leaders that does not involve cash and may actually be in your best interest. There are a variety of instruments called planned gifts which are gifts legally provided for during your lifetime but whose principal benefits are not given to DSF until a future time.
The planned giving process involves thoughtful preparation and planning, usually requires objective professional advice, and can apply to several forms of gifts.
Planned Giving Benefits to the Donor- Allows for the joy of giving when cash is not available
- Allows you to make a larger gift that you may have originally thought possible
- Allows you to create a permanent memorial
- Allows you to make a gift and still receive income in some cases
- Allows you to have your assets managed at no cost
- Allows you to save on estate and capital gains taxes
You can make a gift to DSF that does not involve cash: As a donor you can donate securities, insurance, or real estate whose tax write off is more of a benefit to you.
You can make a gift to DSF that costs you nothing: As a donor you can make a gift that does not interrupt your cash flow or retirement plans.
You can make a gift to DSF that actually generates income: As a donor you can make a gift to DSF whose interest is actually paid back to you.
- Planned Giving Opportunities – There are ways that you may support DSF's emerging theological leaders that does not involve cash and may actually be in your best interest. There are a variety of instruments called planned gifts which are gifts legally provided for during your lifetime but whose principal benefits are not given to DSF until a future time.
- Types of planned Gifts –
- Wills and Bequests
The most common form of planned giving, a bequest is made through a will or living trust. Bequests may be stated as a percentage of the estate, as the residual of the estate, or for a specific dollar amount. Since a will can be changed, no income tax benefits are associated with a bequest. However, the owner's estate is reduced by the amount of the bequest for estate tax purposes.
Example of Bequest Language:
The following language is suggested for use in making an unrestricted bequest. Ask you attorney to include such words as these:
"I give to DSF - at 300 West Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, all (or state percentage) of the residue or remainder of my estate, to be used as its Board of Trustees determines."
Advantages of a Bequest:- By preparing a will, you are ensuring that your assets are distributed to the people and institutions that are most important to you.
- A charitable request is deductible for federal estate-tax purposes with no limit on the amount of deduction.
- Charitable bequests generally are not subject to state inheritance or estate taxes
- Often the tax savings and be substantial.
- Wills and Bequests
- Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust - Another alternative to an outright bequest is a charitable remainder trust. A charitable remainder trust is a popular arrangement for individuals wanting to make a generous deferred gift to DSF. Through a charitable remainder trust, you irrevocably transfer money or property to a trust, which is created with an attorney's assistance. The trust agreement directs that a specified income be paid each year to you and/or other beneficiaries for the rest of your life, or for a specific term. Upon your maturation, DSF receives the principal of your gift.
Charitable remainder trusts provide several benefits, including an annual income to the donor or other beneficiaries designated in the agreement, an immediate income tax-charitable deduction, and avoidance of capital gains tax. Indeed, you may find that a charitable remainder trust can increase your retirement income, help you escape from a lock-in investment position, and provide more security for you and your family.
Benefits: annual income to the donor, Tax-charitable deduction, avoidance of capitol gains tax
- Deffered Gift Annuity - As with the Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust, you make a gift now and receive an immediate income tax deduction. However, in this instance you begin receiving the annuity payments at a future pre-determined date. Due to the compounding of the gift's income, the amount of the annuity payments can be significantly greater than the annuity payments under the Charitable Remainder Annuity.
The deferred gift annuity can be especially attractive to middle-aged professionals and can be an excellent way to build a sound retirement income. Funding an annuity with appreciated stock offers great returns and some outstanding tax advantages. Annuities of at least US$5,000 provide tax benefits along with the security of a fixed, lifetime income. The agreed upon payments remain unchanged regardless of how the investments perform.
- Charitable Lead Trusts
- Retirement Plan Beneficiary