Gift Types
Outright Gifts: Cash, property and stocks can be used to make gifts to establish or add to a fund. When individuals donate property or appreciated or closely held stocks, they may be eligible for a tax deduction based on the fair market value and they may also avoid capital gain and estate taxes.
Bequests: Naming the Central Minnesota Community Foundation as a beneficiary in a will is often the easiest way to make a significant gift. In addition, a gift will often reduce estate and transfer taxes.
Life Insurance: If a donor wishes to name CMCF as the sole or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the charitable proceeds of the policy may avoid both income and estate taxes. Another option is to transfer ownership of a policy to CMCF. By choosing this option, donors may take an immediate income tax deduction approximately equal to the policy's surrender value.
Retirement Plan Assets: Using IRAs and other retirement plan assets is a far-sighted and thoughtful way to make a charitable contribution. It provides a donor a number of significant financial and tax advantages. Unlike many assets, retirement plan assets are potentially subject to both income and estate taxes. Naming CMCF as the beneficiary of a retirement plan (including IRAs, 401(k)s and profit-sharing plans) can eliminate estate and income taxes, if the gift is structured properly.