As the holidays approach, it’s a great time to consider year-end giving to make a difference for Ohio wildlife. Donations to honor or memorialize special people or inspire philanthropy in the next generation can all be accomplished through a year-end gift. Children whose parents discuss charitable giving are 20 percent more likely to make gifts themselves – a legacy that can carry on through all age groups.
To make the most of your year-end giving this year and share your passion to rescue and rehabilitate native Ohio Wildlife, here are some tips to consider to help make our mission possible:
- Consider gifts of appreciated securities. Contributing stocks, bonds or mutual funds that have appreciated over time can generate tax savings through direct donation to a nonprofit. Check with your financial or tax advisor for options and strategies to direct a non-cash donation.
- Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA. The qualified charitable distribution option (QCD) offers those at least age 70 ½ with an IRA a way to satisfy charitable goals and meet required minimum distribution requirements. QCDs are limited to $100,000 in 2017 and a tax and financial advisor can provide professional guidance on realizing charitable giving goals and tax benefits through an IRA.
- Double your giving. Many companies and businesses have workplace matching gift programs that will match employee contributions to nonprofits. It’s a seamless and simple way to double your gift to Ohio Wildlife Center. Check with your company’s Human Resources office for the guidelines and forms to double your donation.
- Pay it forward. Pledging a monthly gift to Ohio Wildlife Center ensures your generosity will make a difference all year long. Monthly gifts are an affordable and simple way to extend the holiday spirit through all the seasons, especially when help is needed most in the busy spring months when thousands of injured and orphaned wildlife arrive for care. To set up a monthly pledge visit www.ohiowildifecenter.org/make-an-online-gift/
- Remember the deadline. All gifts to Ohio Wildlife Center must be completed by midnight on December 31, 2017 to receive a charitable deduction for the 2017 tax year. Gifts of stocks or securities or IRA distributions make require 2-3 weeks to process at year end.
- Consider setting up a bequest. A simple and versatile way to ensure your passion to help wildlife can continue is to set up a gift through your will, known as a charitable bequest. Creating a lasting legacy through a bequest can be achieved with cash, securities, real estate, insurance benefits, and IRA’s. Giving through an estate plan perpetuates your values, allows control of assets during the donor’s lifetime and provides tax advantages that help preserve estate assets.
For questions on year-end giving options, bequests or pledges, or to plan your 2018 giving, please contact Julie Conry at Ohio Wildlife Center (jconry@ohiowildlifecenter.org) or call 614-734-9453
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