The most common form of charitable contribution is the outright gift of cash or other assets
made to a charitable organization during the donor's lifetime. These gifts can
range from small donations of cash or property to large endowments. Outright
gifts to charity can be made in a variety of forms, depending upon the size of
the gift and the objectives of the donor. Following is an overview of some of
the options available for structuring outright gifts to charity.
Retirement Plans
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), tax-sheltered annuities, Keogh plans, and 401(k),
403(b) and other qualified pension and profit-sharing plans can also provide
significant support for USF. A donor needs to inform his or her retirement plan
administrator that he or she wishes to name USF as a beneficiary of the plan or
of a portion of the plan. The funds will usually pass to USF outside of probate
and free of all taxes.
Click here to find out how others have benefited by
donating through their retirement plans.
Gifts of Life Insurance
Life insurance offers an alternative method for making a charitable gift to the university.
For example, a donor may:
- Give a policy that is
fully paid up and take a deduction for the "present value" of the
policy, as determined for tax purposes, (which generally is the approximate
cash surrender value), or;
- Purchase a new policy
with USF designated as the owner and beneficiary.
Click here to find out how others have benefited
from this type of gift.
Gifts of Securities
Securities, both publicly traded and closely held, and bonds can be used to make a gift to USF.
A donor is entitled to a charitable tax deduction equal to the value of the
securities on the date of the gift. USF is able to sell the securities and
employ the proceeds, without reduction by capital gains taxes because of its
status as a non-profit organization. For more details on this type of gift,
including instructions, please click here.
Click here to find out how others have benefited
from this type of gift.
Gifts of Real Estate
A gift of real estate may be a principal residence or vacation residence, a farm, a commercial
building, or unimproved land. The gift may be the entire property or a
fractional interest in the property.
Click here to find out how others have benefited
from this type of gift.
Gift of a Residence or Farm with Retained Life Interest
A donor may give USF his or her personal residence or farm, yet continue to live there for life.
Further, the donor’s spouse may live there for life. The donor receives an
immediate tax deduction for the contribution, based on the value of USF's
remainder interest. The property does not have to be the donor's primary
residence — it may be a vacation or second home, as long as the property is
used as a personal residence.
Contact Us
If you have questions about any of these types of
gifts and how they can work for you, please contact us. We can be reached at 415-422-6259.
