Year-End Giving Ideas

by Tom Conway

As we approach the close of another year, here are some giving ideas to consider. This article examines these current year planning ideas:

* IRA Charitable Rollover
* Gifts of Appreciated Assets
* Year-end bonuses
* Non-liquid gifts
* Prepaying 2008 contributions
* Estate Planning Ideas
* Donor Advised Fund.
* The Disclaimer Funded Donor Advised Fund

1. IRA Charitable Rollover – Through December 31, 2007, any of your donors who are over 70 ½ on the date of the rollover can give up to $100,000 to charity from their IRA accounts. This distribution has to go directly to a public charity, but cannot be made to a donor advised fund, a supporting organization, or a private foundation. At NCF however, we have created what is called a “Designated Fund”.

A “Designated Fund” is a single charity fund where the donor designates the charity that they want the money to go to. The donor can then determine the amount and the timing of the grants from that account. If the donor wants to split up the $100,000 among multiple charities, they would then create multiple designated funds.

So if you want to give $100,000 from your IRA to your church and three other charities this year, but didn’t want all of it to go to any of the recipients in 2007, you could make a $100,000 gift to four designated funds, and then distribute the money to those charities on your own timetable.

Since this provision expires at the end of 2007, if you have a large IRA, you might want to prepay your giving for multiple years to their favorite charities by using this tool.

2. Gifts of Appreciated Assets – With the jump in the market this year, you may have appreciated stocks or mutual funds. If you have held these assets for more than a year, they can be great assets to give. You get a deduction for the fair market value (which you can deduct up to 30% of your adjusted gross income), and once the asset is liquidated you can give the proceeds out of your donor advised account to the charities of your choice. Finally, if you liked the position you held, you can take their cash and go back and buy the position and now have a higher basis.

Read the whole story.

Read the disclosure.

Tom Conway serves as the Executive Vice President, Ministry and Advisor Services of the National Christian Foundation of Atlanta, Georgia and a Charter Member of Kingdom Advisors.

He spearheads the work of the National Christian Foundation with ministries and professional advisors. In addition Tom has done both ministry and development consulting, and serves on the board on numerous non-profit organizations. Tom and his wife Susan have four children and live in Atlanta, Georgia.

http://www.ffplan.com/2007/11/13/year-end-giving-ideas/