Gifting Current Assets

When making a charitable gift, you have several
creative alternatives to giving cash.

Stock
Real Estate
Life Insurance

Stock

While your checkbook may be your usual means for making your gifts, consider making a gift of stock. Stocks that you have owned for more than a year are probably significantly more valuable today. If you choose to sell them, you will pay a capital gains tax on the increased value of the stock. When you give that stock to charity, however, you pay no tax on the gain and receive an income tax deduction for the full value of the stock.

Real Estate

One of California residents' greatest assets is real estate. Similar to appreciated stock, when you give real estate that is more valuable today then when you acquired it, your tax deduction is the present market value and there is no tax on the gain. If you are thinking of giving real estate, however, you should allow a few months for completion of the transaction. Learn more about using real estate as a charitable gift.

Did you know that you could give your home to charity, continue to live in it for the duration of your lifetime, and additionally receive an income tax charitable deduction? This transaction is called a Retained Life Estate.

Life Insurance

Do you have a paid-up life insurance policy that has been gathering dust in a drawer? Perhaps it was intended for your children, who are now grown and have sufficient assets of their own. Making The San Diego Foundation the owner and beneficiary of that policy provides an income tax deduction for you and a great gift to support your favorite causes.

If you have named The San Diego Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary of a policy, we recommend you open a legacy fund with us so we have documentation of your wishes. Whether you decide to support specific organizations, address general charitable causes or create scholarship programs to help students pursue their education, The Foundation will provide ongoing stewardship to ensure your wishes are fulfilled. If you have not opened a testamentary fund, please contact us at legacy@sdfoundation.org so we can be certain we understand your intentions.