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Ways of Giving Overview
The Center Foundation is an excellent investment and there are many ways in which you can show your support. Every gift will make a difference in a students life.
The giving options above are just descriptions of several popular types of gifts. These can be combined in a package that suits your needs! Contact us at (541) 322-2399 or by email to discuss your gift ideas.
Gifts to the Foundation may be designated to:
Gifts to The Center Foundation qualify as charitable contributions to an I.R.S Section 501 (c)(3) organization for federal estate and gift tax purposes. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.
The Center Foundation acts in a fiduciary capacity in administering gifts in strict compliance with the instructions of the donor. If a gift is not accompanied by instructions, its use is determined by the Board of Directors and directed to the program(s) with the most pressing needs.
Cash and Credit Card Gifts
A cash gift is the simplest and most immediate way to support The Center Foundation programs and has an immediate impact on students lives. Cash or credit card gifts can be made as one-time gifts or monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions and are deductible for income tax purposed in the year in which they are contributed (up to 50% of adjusted gross income for the taxable year).*
Gifts By Cash & Checks
Please make your check payable to The Center Foundation and mail it to:
The Center Foundation
2200 NE Neff Rd., Suite 200
Bend, OR97701
Actual cash should always be hand-delivered to the Foundation, rather than sent by mail.
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Gifts By Credit Card
Call The Center Foundation at (541) 322-2399 and our staff will process your request for a one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annual cash gift by credit card immediately.
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Gift By Pledge
A donor may also pledge a cash gift amount to be paid over a specific period of time. For example, an individual may pledge a gift of $10,000 to be paid over three years. Arrangements can be made for payroll deductions, automatic transfer, or we can bill you as agreed.
To pledge a cash gift to The Center Foundation, call (541) 322-2399 and our staff will process your request immediately, or complete and sign our Giving Form.
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Gifts Through Corporate Gift Matching
Many companies match their employee contributions to charitable causes. Matching gifts are an additional contribution over and above a donors personal gift pledge. A dollar-for-dollar match is common, and some companies donate a two-to-one ratio or more for every dollar an employee contributes. Some companies even match contributions of their retirees. Please dont miss this opportunity to double or even triple the value of your contribution. Contact the human resources office at your workplace for details.
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* The information on this page is not meant as tax advice. To fully understand any implications of your intended contribution for income tax purposes, please consult a professional tax advisor.
Stocks and
Securities
One of the most beneficial ways for a donor to make a gift to The Center Foundation is to donate appreciated securities including appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares held for more than one year. These gifts entitle you to an immediate income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities and to bypass the payment of a capital gains tax on the transfer of the securities.*
The best stocks to donate are those that have increased greatly in value, particularly those producing low yields. If you own stock, which has dropped in value below your cost, you may want to consider selling it and donating proceeds from the sale to The Center Foundation. Selling the stock will enable you to claim a capital loss deduction on your income tax return, and donating the proceeds will allow you to claim an income tax deduction for your charitable contribution.*
The most common and convenient way to give securities is through electronic transfer from your brokerage account to The Center Foundations brokerage account. You simply inform your broker or bank that you wish to give securities to The Center Foundation and state the number of shares you wish to give. Please instruct your broker or bank to transfer the securities into the account for The Center Foundation. For details on electronic transfer of securities, call us at (541) 322-2399.
Stock certificates can be delivered to your local broker with instructions to hold for the account of designated project and instructions from The Center Foundation. You or your broker should immediately inform the Foundation that the stock is being held, and the Foundation staff will advise your broker concerning its disposition.
For other options for transferring gifts of stock, please contact the Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us to discuss these in order to avoid complications.
Non-cash
Gifts
A non-cash gift, also called an in-kind gift, is a non-monetary contribution of personal property or professional services that benefit The Center Foundation in a variety of ways. In-kind gifts may be used for educational purposes by a specific program or for fundraising purposes.
In-Kind Gifts Used For Educational Purposes
One of the biggest costs for The Center Foundation is the need for equipment in our programs. Your gift of equipment and/or materials has immediate impact on our capability. From culinary arts to nursing, from an engine for the diesel program to a potter's wheel for an art class, college programs welcome donor support.
Programs that will benefit are:
Sports Medicine Program
ImPACT Concussion Testing
ThinkFirst For Kids
High School Scholarships/High Desert Hero
Athletic Training Fellowships
Donors should contact The Center Foundation at (541) 322-2399 or email us to learn if the proposed non-cash contribution would be appropriate for The Center Foundation.
In-Kind Gifts Used For Fundraising Purposes
The Center Foundation also welcomes items and services that can be auctioned off during fundraising events such as the Fall Fundraiser. Examples include:
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Gift baskets, gift certificates for products and services
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Tickets (music, theatre, sports events, travel, etc.)
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Vacation home and rental property at various times throughout the year
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Use of facilities, food, beverages, or decoration for fundraising events
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Event sponsorships and cause-related marketing
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Professional services and expertise
Contact The Center Foundation at (541) 322-2399 or email us to learn if the proposed non-cash contribution would be appropriate for the Foundation.
Planned
Giving
A planned gift today can benefit The Center Foundation programs of the future.
Please remember to put The Center Foundation in your will.
Many people would like to make larger charitable gifts to support the organizations and institutions they care most about. There are many options to give to The Center Foundation while actually enhancing your financial security or that of loved ones.
In making a new plan for the future financial well being of yourself and loved ones, you may wish to begin with your will. Many people choose to provide for charitable interests by making gifts through their wills. Bequests can be made in the form of specific amounts of cash, other property, a percentage of the overall estate, or all or a portion of the residue ("what's left" after other bequests have been fulfilled). A will may be used along with, or to create, many of the plans of giving described here. Rely on your attorney and other advisors to guide you through the estate planning process.
Bequests
A bequest is a gift made through your will that directs your estate executor to make a gift from your assets to the person or institution of your choice after you die. Bequests may be used to provide gifts of money, stocks, real estate, or other property such as art or jewelry. When donors leave a bequest to The Center Foundation. They can make a generous gift without reducing their current income or giving up ownership of the assets during their lifetime. Donors can create funds in their name or in memory of a loved one. Charitable bequests are usually deductible in full for estate tax purposes.
To leave a bequest to The Center Foundation, contact our Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable remainder trusts allow you to transfer assets into a separately managed trust that will provide you and/or your beneficiaries with fixed percentage payments for life or for a set period of time. The person who establishes the trust selects the trustee as well as the charities that will receive future distributions. The donor earns a charitable deduction when the assets are transferred to a trust. Upon termination of the trust, the remaining assets are distributed to the charity and will be used for the charitable purpose specified by the donor.
To establish a charitable remainder trust for the benefit of The Center Foundation, contact our Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Charitable Annuity Trust
With a charitable annuity trust, the donor transfers assets to the Foundation in exchange for a guaranteed, fixed annuity payment to them or one other beneficiary for life. The annual payment is a fixed sum, the amount of which is based on the size of the gift and the number and ages of the beneficiaries. In addition to the charitable deduction, a portion of the annuity payment is generally tax-deductible. Upon the death of the donor, the Foundation receives the full amount of the initial gift to use as specified by the donor.
To establish a charitable annuity trust for the benefit of The Center Foundation, please contact our Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Retirement Assets
One frequently overlooked way donors can make a charitable contribution is by using qualified retirement assets. Subject to income and estate tax, retirement plan assets are among the most taxed assets at death in larger estates. While current tax law does not allow the donor to transfer these assets directly to The Center Foundation, the donor can name the Foundation as the beneficiary on the account during his or her lifetime and, by doing so, may be able to avoid both income and estate taxes upon his or her death.
To name The Center Foundation as a beneficiary for all or any of your retirement plan assets, contact our Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance policy can be a great way to combine charitable objectives with tax advantages to donors since donors may receive an income tax deduction by naming The Center Foundation as a partial beneficiary or owner of a life insurance policy. You can name The Center Foundation as a designated or alternate beneficiary of a life insurance policy, a deferred annuity contract, an IRA, a defined benefit plan, a 401(k) plan, a defined profit sharing plan, or other qualified plans.
There are several ways for donors to make gifts through their life insurance. Some of the most popular options are:
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Purchase a policy and designate The Center Foundation as the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of the policy.
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Designate The Center Foundation as the new owner or beneficiary or an existing policy.
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Add The Center Foundation to an existing policy as a remainder or final beneficiary, in case the primary or secondary beneficiaries do not survive you.
To make a gift of a life insurance policy to The Center Foundation, please contact our Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Life Estate Agreements
Life estate agreements are contracts between the donor and The Center Foundation. The donor transfers the title to his or her real estate property, usually a primary residence, to the Foundation. In return, the Foundation agrees to provide the donor with use of the property throughout the donors lifetime. Upon the death of the donor, the property becomes an asset of the Foundation. The Foundation can then sell the asset to generate funds, which will benefit the program or other purpose designated by the donor. Life estate donors receive a partial charitable income tax and estate tax deduction, depending on their age. Email us.
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Real Estate
Real estate includes homes, farmland, cabins, commercial buildings, and undeveloped rural property. A current appraisal of the property is needed in order to use it as a charitable gift. Real estate may be given outright, used to fund a charitable remainder trust, or given as a life estate.
Donating a highly appreciated real estate property that otherwise could be a tax burden, can result in tax advantages similar to those from giving appreciated securities to the donor. If youve owned the property for more than one year before giving it to The Center Foundation, you could earn a charitable deduction equal to the full fair market value of the property, less any outstanding mortgage. The property will also be removed from your taxable estate.
Options exist that allow you to give your primary residence to The Center Foundation and continue to live there or derive an income from it during your lifetime. See above for life estate agreements.
Gifts of real estate may be transferred to The Center Foundation after the Board of Directors agrees to accept and administer such gifts.
If you would like to give real estate property to The Center Foundation, please contact the Executive Director at (541) 322-2399 or email us.
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Tax Considerations
While most charitable gifts are made in the form of cash, important advantages can be possible when gifts are made using non-cash property that has increased in value. Email us.
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Gifts of Appreciated Property
When stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and other appreciated assets are sold, tax is due on any capital gain.
One of the only ways to avoid or delay the capital gains tax is to make a charitable gift of the property. When you give appreciated property that has been held long-term, you may take a deduction based on the current value of the property rather than just its cost.
The combined benefits of bypassing tax on the capital gain, receiving an income tax deduction, and making a charitable gift can be very gratifying. Email us.
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Increasing Your Retirement Income
Many of the plans described here can be a welcome addition to your retirement plans. If you have property that has increased in value but yields little income, using it to fund a charitable gift plan can help your assets do double duty.
The life income you receive from the gift plan will be based on the full value of your property, not just what would be left after you paid tax on the gain. You will also enjoy tax savings from the deduction you receive when you create the plan. This amount can be invested for greater income.
By carefully planning your gifts, you can substantially increase income from investment assets, while receiving the satisfaction of making a very meaningful gift in the process.
Example:
John Smith, 75, has been retired for five years. He has $100,000 worth of growth stocks, which cost $35,000 and yield two percent. He would like to receive more than the $2,000 per year in income that this asset currently yields. His tax bracket is 36 percent.
If he sold the securities, he would owe a capital gains tax on the $65,000 increase in value. He would thus have considerably less than $100,000 left to invest after paying the tax.
If, instead, he placed the stocks in a charitable remainder annuity trust with a payout rate of seven percent, his income from the property would more than triple to $7,000 per year. He would not incur tax on the $65,000 gain at the time of his gift, but he would receive income based on the entire $100,000. His income tax deduction would be approximately $41,000.
Mr. Harrison's federal income tax savings from the gift would be nearly $15,000. His savings would be even greater if he were taxed at higher state and federal rates. Email us.
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Federal Estate Taxes
Each year more people discover that their estates are surpassing the value at which such taxes are levied.
Through careful planning of your charitable gifts, it can be possible to meet multiple goals. By choosing the best property to fund your gifts, their timing, and the methods used to make them, you may find you can give more while minimizing or eliminating federal estate and gift taxes and preserving or actually enhancing your financial well being.
This information is intended to help guide you through the gift planning process. More information is available to you and/or your advisors on request. Email us.
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How to Plan
Before you make your will and/or other estate plans, be well prepared.
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Make a list of the people you want to include in your plans--family, special friends, employees and charitable interests.
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List the property you wish to distribute--include securities, real estate, life insurance, retirement plans, and personal possessions.
3.
Consider ways to match the people with the property.
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Finally, list any professional planners you may need to consult--for instance your attorney, banker, accountant, tax advisor, or representatives of a charitable recipient.
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