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These tips are a sampling of the many ways the Community Foundation can assist you with your charitable giving. Get started today by contacting
Richard Melching, President of the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, at 360.694.2550 or by using our Contact Us Online form.
Get creative with the assets you give. Donating non-cash assets such as long-term appreciated securities or real estate avoids long-term capital gains tax, resulting in even more charitable capital.
Start your year-end charitable gift giving early and enjoy the ease of having another thing marked off your list. It will free up treasured time with family and friends.
Give now — grant later. The holidays are hectic. Lock in your tax deduction by opening or adding to a fund, and make your granting recommendations on your timeline, at your leisure.
Get a receipt for your tax deduction. Just sit back and we’ll make sure you get a receipt that states the amount and includes the organization(s) you have named for contributions.
Want to help a wide range of nonprofits? The Community Giving Fund and Cowlitz County Community Fund are competitive grants program that reward programs fulfilling crucial needs. You can be assured that your dollars are making their maximum impact.
A Donor Advised Fund offers more tax advantages than a Private Foundation, with no administrative burden and no annual granting requirement.
One check—many charities. We handle the administration. Write one check to open or add to a fund, and then you can recommend grant distributions to as many charities as you’d like.
Are you worried about your financial independence during retirement? Talk with us about charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities, and you may find out that you can have a stream of payments for life.
Want to give from your life insurance policy, stock or IRA? No problem. We are experts at accepting a range of assets and can help you give back to your community and maximize your tax benefits.
Start a family giving tradition. Open a Donor Advised Fund and recommend grants together. Give to the fund instead of to each other to simplify your holidays and celebrate the true spirit of the season.
Better yet, let your children grant a sum of money from your charitable fund to an organization of their choosing. The hands-on approach gives them ownership of their gift and stimulates more interest in giving, because nothing is more motivating than giving to a cause that touches you personally.
Finance a stock gift with money from a retirement plan. Transfer stock or securities directly to the Community Foundation to receive a deduction for the full value, while also avoiding tax on any gains. If you expect the stock to appreciate, withdraw an equal amount of cash from an IRA or qualified retirement plan to purchase the same number of shares you just contributed. Your deduction should offset the taxable cash withdrawn, and if you’re 59½ or older you’ll even avoid the 10 percent penalty tax.
Year-end gifts of appreciated assets can be extremely beneficial, both to donors and to the charitable organizations we all seek to support, and can make the “giving season” a little bit more special for everyone involved.
Gift long-term securities that may have dropped in value, but still have appreciation with tax consequences. A year-end gift of securities held for more than one year can enable a donor to claim an income tax deduction on the fair market value and avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation.
In addition, if you’re unable to use the entire amount of the allowable deduction in one year, the excess can be carried over for up to five additional years. Nevertheless, if you’re holding securities that have depreciated in value it may be best to sell them, write off the loss, and establish or add to a fund with the proceeds.
Take a long-term perspective, while also taking control of your future by including your intentions for both family and charity in a will or revocable living trust. The Community Foundation can work with you to identify and confirm your charitable wishes with a “Letter of Intent” that can be updated whenever appropriate.
Give “Forgotten Assets,” such as life insurance policies, commercial annuity contracts and savings bonds. Depending on a number of factors you may be able to receive a tax deduction or avoid income taxes altogether.
Effective philanthropy is complex, and it's also the Community Foundation's specialty. Our staff brings local expertise and knowledge to your giving and can help you identify your charitable interests and determine your giving strategy.
If you're selling a business or real estate, charitable giving can significantly reduce your tax burden if it is incorporated at the outset. Call us for more details.
Get the best of both worlds! Grant nationally with expert local oversight.
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