Q&A – Non-Cash Assets

Q: Isn’t cash the best way to give?

A: While most charitable gifts are in the form of cash because this is so familiar, this is not always the most cost-effective way for you to give. You may be able to increase your potential impact – and experience significant tax benefits – by giving non-cash assets such as:

• Stock or marketable securities
• Real estate
• Business interests
• Farm commodities
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Tangible personal property​

​Q: Can I buy more time to make a year-end gift to Wedgwood?

A: Through a donor-advised fund (DAF), you can give stock or other non-cash assets into a single online giving account, and so long as you deposit your gift into the DAF by December 31, you can claim credit on this year’s taxes. You can decide later how best to distribute the funds.

Because of our partnership with Barnabas Foundation, you have complimentary access to the Stewards Fund, a DAF that reflects your Christian values. The Stewards Fund offers you more flexibility in recommending grants to Wedgwood during the year-end rush.

Q: Are there any advantages of gifting to Wedgwood through my IRA?

A: If you are 70 ½ or older, you can take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover. This special provision allows you to make tax-free distributions from your individual retirement account to Wedgwood, up to a maximum of $100,000 per year. Gifts made through the IRA charitable rollover count toward your annual required minimum distribution, and none of the IRA distribution will be included in your adjusted gross income.

Q: Isn’t cash the best way to give?

A: While most charitable gifts are in the form of cash because this is so familiar, this is not always the most cost-effective way for you to give. You may be able to increase your potential impact – and experience significant tax benefits – by giving non-cash assets such as:

• Stock or marketable securities
• Real estate
• Business interests
• Farm commodities
• Life insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Tangible personal property

​Q: Can I buy more time to make a year-end gift to Wedgwood?

A: Through a donor-advised fund (DAF), you can give stock or other non-cash assets into a single online giving account, and so long as you deposit your gift into the DAF by December 31, you can claim credit on this year’s taxes. You can decide later how best to distribute the funds.

Because of our partnership with Barnabas Foundation, you have complimentary access to the Stewards Fund, a DAF that reflects your Christian values. The Stewards Fund offers you more flexibility in recommending grants to Wedgwood during the year-end rush.

Q: Are there any advantages of gifting to Wedgwood through my IRA?

A: If you are 70 ½ or older, you can take advantage of the IRA charitable rollover. This special provision allows you to make tax-free distributions from your individual retirement account to Wedgwood, up to a maximum of $100,000 per year. Gifts made through the IRA charitable rollover count toward your annual required minimum distribution, and none of the IRA distribution will be included in your adjusted gross income.

Q: I’d like to make a gift of real estate to Wedgwood. What are my options?

A: You can make a gift to support the mission of Wedgwood with a gift of residential, commercial or underdeveloped property. There are many ways to structure a real estate gift, but here are a few options for consideration:

• Outright gift of 100% of your interest in the property
• Outright gift of a partial interest in property
• Gift subject to a life estate
• Gift property and receive income for your lifetime

​Q: Should I give my stock to charity?

A: If you have stock that you’ve owned for at least a year and it has increased in value, this is much more cost-effective than giving cash. You’ll receive a tax deduction for the fair market value and avoid paying capital gains. If, however, the current value of your stock is less than what you paid for it, you’re better off selling the stock, recognizing the loss on your income taxes, and making a cash gift to charity with the proceeds.

We’re here to answer your questions and to help you make tax-wise gifts to Wedgwood, now and the whole year through. Just give us a call at (616) 942-2392 or email hello@wedgwood.org.