Outright Cash Gifts
A gift of cash is a simple and straightforward way to support the
Foundation. Cash gifts include personal checks, currency, money orders,
and electronic fund transfers. Cash gifts may be deductible up to 50
percent of a donor’s adjusted gross income for the taxable year, with any
excess being deductible over the next five years.
Gifts of Securities
A gift of appreciated securities held for more than one year
may entitle a donor to a charitable deduction for the fair market value
of the gifted securities and eliminate capital gains tax that would
ordinarily become due if the appreciated securities had been sold
outright and the proceeds donated to the charity. Donors who have
securities that have declined in value over the years, and who are
interested in donating them to the Foundation, may find it more
advantageous to sell the securities first and contribute the proceeds as
opposed to donating the securities outright. This strategy should allow
donors to claim a deduction for both the loss from the sale of the
securities as well as the charitable gift.
Charitable Bequests
Next to writing a check, perhaps the best known vehicle for philanthropy
is the bequest. A bequest establishes a donor’s wishes today without
relinquishing needed assets during his or her lifetime. The following
language may be used to make gifts through wills or living trusts:
I give, devise and bequeath to National Recreation and Park
Foundation, a nonprofit corporation located in McLean, Virginia, [_____
percentage of my estate, or the sum of $_________, or the remainder of my
estate], to be used for its general charitable purposes.
Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
Gifts of retirement plan assets are becoming more popular as
IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement plans become more numerous. In most
cases, the donor would simply designate the Foundation as a beneficiary
of his/her IRA, 401(k) or other retirement plan to receive the funds
remaining at the end of his/her lifetime.
Gifts of Life Insurance
Donors may make gifts of life insurance to the Foundation by
irrevocably designating the Foundation as the owner of an existing,
fully-paid whole-life policy; designating the Foundation as beneficiary
or percentage beneficiary on an existing policy; or purchasing a new
policy and naming the Foundation as the irrevocable owner. For policies
in which premiums are still being paid, donors may either pay the premium
directly or donate an amount equivalent to the premium payment to the
Foundation. Donors should determine the best method for payment in
consultation with their legal or tax counsel.
Other Gifts
In addition to the gifts mentioned in this brochure, there may be
additional planned giving options that would be appropriate to meet a
donor’s philanthropic goals, such as gifts of real estate or a variety of
charitable trusts. Many have significant tax advantages.
