Gifts That Benefit You

Meet Zack - Cancer warrior

Gifts That Benefit You

Meet Zack - Cancer warrior

EXPLORE STRATEGIC GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

If you own appreciated assets and want to make a meaningful impact while receiving income and/or tax benefits, we offer several giving options tailored to your needs. These options allow you to align your financial goals with your philanthropic values. To determine the best strategy for your circumstances, we recommend consulting your financial advisor or tax expert.

 

For more information on any of these giving options or to discuss your specific situation, please contact our Director of Philanthropy, Jamie Avalos, at javalos@theNCCS.org or 314.446.5221. We’re happy to help you find the ideal way to support our mission while meeting your financial objectives!

Gifts of Appreciated Stocks and Investments

Donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds is a simple yet powerful way to make a non-cash gift today. This type of contribution not only supports the mission of The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS), but can also offer significant tax benefits, including:

  • Reducing or Eliminating Capital Gains Tax: When you donate appreciated securities, you may avoid paying federal capital gains taxes on the appreciation, which can lead to substantial tax savings.
  • Federal Income Tax Deduction: You may be eligible for a charitable deduction on your federal income taxes based on the total fair market value of the securities at the time of the gift.

This strategy is ideal for those looking to maximize their charitable giving without affecting their liquid cash flow. Below are the details you’ll need for making a stock donation:

The National Children’s Cancer Society
2900 Frank Scott Parkway West
Suite 928
Belleville, IL 62223
Tax ID Number 37-1227890

 

Charitable Gift Annuity

A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) is a popular way to support the NCCS while receiving a steady income stream for life. By creating a CGA, you can ensure regular payments while also contributing to our vital mission of helping families impacted by childhood cancer.

Key benefits include:

  • Guaranteed Income for Life: Receive fixed payments that do not fluctuate, providing financial security.
  • Tax-Free Payments: A portion of your payments may be tax-free.
  • Potential Tax Savings: You may be eligible for a charitable deduction and could avoid capital gains taxes on appreciated assets used to fund the annuity.

If you are 65 years or older and considering a contribution of $10,000 or more, a CGA could be a very beneficial giving option for you.

For more information click here to download the PDF document.

 

Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a convenient, tax-efficient way to manage your charitable giving through a specialized investment account. If you’re looking for a simple method to support the NCCS, a DAF could be the perfect solution. With a DAF, you can contribute assets and recommend grants over time, offering both flexibility and control in your philanthropy. Thanks to these benefits, DAFs have quickly become one of the fastest-growing charitable giving options in the country!

A DAF also allows you to contribute during your lifetime and designate successors to manage the account after you’re gone, ensuring your legacy of giving continues. Many donors use DAFs as part of their overall financial and charitable strategy, contributing during high-income years to maximize tax benefits and distributing funds when they make the greatest impact on their chosen causes.

Key benefits include:

  • Tax Benefits: When you contribute to a DAF, you are eligible for an immediate federal income tax charitable deduction. Plus, any funds or assets you contribute grow tax-free, maximizing the impact of your donations.
  • Simplified Giving: Think of a DAF as a philanthropic savings account. You can decide how much, how often, and to which charities you’d like to grant funds. It simplifies the process, allowing you to centralize your giving and avoid the complexities of managing a private foundation.
  • Advisory Privileges: Even though the DAF is technically managed by a public charity, such as a community foundation or financial institution, you can recommend where the grants go and how the funds are invested.
  • Variety of Asset Contributions: A DAF offers flexibility in what you can contribute. Beyond cash, you can donate stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, 401(k)s, private company stock, cryptocurrencies, and even life insurance. This means you can give in a way that aligns with your overall financial and estate planning.

FAQs

What types of organizations can I support with my DAF?
You can recommend grants to any IRS-qualified public charity, including The National Children’s Cancer Society, local nonprofits, educational institutions, and more.

Can I contribute to a DAF in assets other than cash
Yes! In addition to cash donations, you can contribute appreciated securities (like stocks and bonds), mutual funds, IRAs, real estate, and even cryptocurrencies. Donating appreciated assets can provide additional tax advantages, such as avoiding capital gains taxes.

Do I have to make all my charitable grants at once?
No, one of the most significant benefits of a DAF is flexibility. You can contribute to the fund now, receive the tax deduction, and decide when and how much to distribute to charities over time.

How is a DAF different from a private foundation?
Unlike private foundations, DAFs are more accessible to establish, less expensive to manage, and offer greater tax benefits. Additionally, DAFs can receive a wider variety of assets, and you avoid the administrative complexities associated with private foundations.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from a Retirement Account

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is an excellent option for donors with large estates looking to balance philanthropic goals with reliable income.

With a CRT, you can:

  • Receive Income: You or your designated beneficiaries will receive payments from the trust for life or a specified term of years.
  • Reduce Taxes: A CRT may provide income tax deductions, reduce or eliminate capital gains tax on appreciated assets, and offer estate tax benefits.

There are two types of CRTs to consider:

  • Annuity Trust: This option provides a fixed payment amount each year, offering stability regardless of market performance.
  • Unitrust: Payments are based on a fixed percentage of the trust’s annual value, fluctuating according to the fair market value of the trust’s assets.
  • A CRT allows you to make a lasting impact while ensuring financial security.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is an excellent option for donors with large estates looking to balance philanthropic goals with reliable income.

With a CRT, you can:

  • Receive Income: You or your designated beneficiaries will receive payments from the trust for life or a specified term of years.
  • Reduce Taxes: A CRT may provide income tax deductions, reduce or eliminate capital gains tax on appreciated assets, and offer estate tax benefits.

There are two types of CRTs to consider:

  • Annuity Trust: This option provides a fixed payment amount each year, offering stability regardless of market performance.
  • Unitrust: Payments are based on a fixed percentage of the trust’s annual value, fluctuating according to the fair market value of the trust’s assets.

A CRT allows you to make a lasting impact while ensuring financial security.

 

Matching Gift Program

Did you know your donation to The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) could go even further? Many companies offer matching gift programs to support their employees’ charitable giving. By taking advantage of this opportunity, your gift could be doubled—or even tripled—at no extra cost to you!

How It Works:

  • Check if Your Employer Participates: Many companies, large and small, match employee donations. Check with your HR department to see if your employer participates.
  • Submit Your Donation Receipt: Once you’ve made your donation, simply submit the receipt and any required paperwork to your employer, following their matching gift process.

Make an Even Bigger Difference: When your gift is matched, you’re helping us provide even more support to children with cancer and their families. Every dollar counts, and with matching gifts, your support brings us closer to a brighter, healthier future for children with cancer.

Charitable Lead Trust

For those interested in preserving family wealth while supporting the NCCS, a Charitable Lead Trust (CLT) offers a way to make charitable donations while ensuring assets return to your family in the future. This trust provides tax advantages without permanently transferring ownership of your assets.

Two types of CLTs are available:

  • Charitable Lead Annuity Trust (CLAT): Provides NCCS with fixed payments each year, regardless of the trust’s value changes.
  • Charitable Lead Unitrust (CLUT): Payments vary based on the trust’s annual valuation of its assets. If the assets grow, the amount given to NCCS will increase.

 

A CLT allows you to make a significant impact while ensuring that your assets pass to your heirs at a reduced tax cost.

 

Please contact Jamie Avalos​ at javalos@theNCCS.org or 314.446.5221 for inquiries about these type of gifts.