When to Give

You may create your fund now, establish it through your will, or construct it through a current or future trust arrangement.

You may give in honor of an anniversary, to memorialize a loved one, celebrate a special event, or support a cause. Tax deductions are earned at the time of your gift, while grants awarded from your fund can continue far into the future.

What to Give

Cash/Check

Gifts of cash are deductible at their value up to 50% of the Contribution Base (Adjusted Gross Income). The deduction can be carried over for five years.

Real Estate

Similar to appreciated stock, when you give real estate that is more valuable today than when acquired, your tax deduction is your present market value, and there is no tax on the gain. When giving real estate, the proceeds are used to open a fund at The San Diego Foundation.

For more information on the benefits of a real estate gift, click here.

Qualified Retirement Funds

Retirement plan assets, such as IRAs, can make some of the best charitable gifts at death. You can designate a charity as a beneficiary of the plan, thereby avoiding both income and estate taxes on the amount distributed to the charitable beneficiary at the time of transfer.

Publicly Traded Stock

Long-term stock provides a two-fold tax savings: one from an itemized charitable deduction, the other from capital gains avoidance. If you wish to maintain a particular stock position, you may still want to consider giving the stock versus cash. Cash can be used to purchase shares at a higher cost basis, thus reducing the capital gain tax on a subsequent sale.

Closely-Held Stock

Closely-held stock contributions will be allowed a charitable deduction for the fair market value of the stock. You will also avoid the capital gains tax on any appreciation in the value of the stock if it is held long term. Subsequent to the gift, the corporation or other shareholders may purchase the stock for cash, as long as there was no prior agreement compelling the sale of the stock. Stock worth more than $10,000 must be valued by a qualified appraiser.

Life Insurance

You can make The San Diego Foundation the owner and beneficiary of your old policy or a new one. If annual premiums are due, you may make gifts to The Foundation in the amount of the premium and qualify for an income tax deduction.

How to Give

Outright Gift

As the name implies, an outright gift is transferred immediately and provides an immediate tax deduction.

Wills/Trusts

All gifts to The San Diego Foundation are excluded from estate taxation. The full value of the amount assigned will be available to support charities or causes you care about. Making a contribution through your will or trust results in no alteration of your current lifestyle.

Life Income Gifts

Making a gift to a Charitable Remainder Trust, Pooled Income Fund, or Charitable Gift Annuity returns income to you in addition to providing tax benefits. The income you receive is for your lifetime or for a period of years. In some instances, you may choose the amount of income you will receive.

For more information on the benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity, click here.

Charitable Lead Trust

Transferring assets to family members is subject to gift and estate taxes, perhaps as much as 55%. Through a Charitable Lead Trust you can reduce or even eliminate those taxes. In this vehicle, you select an annual amount to be distributed to The San Diego Foundation. You also choose the number of years for the distributions. After the selected term, the assets in the trust pass to your family at substantially reduced taxes.

Life Insurance

Make The San Diego Foundation the owner and beneficiary of your old policy or a new one. If annual premiums are due, you may make gifts to The Foundation in the amount of the premium and qualify for an income tax deduction.

Retained Life Estate

A significant part of most Californians’ estate is their home. You can surrender ownership of your home to The San Diego Foundation, continue to enjoy all the benefits of staying in your present surroundings for your lifetime, and receive tax benefits.

Find out what financial options are most beneficial for you, check out our Planned Giving Calculator.

Call (619) 235-2300 for more information on how you can endow your passion. You can also e-mail info@endowsandiego.org.