Planned Gifts

The IRS has authorized several ways in which you can make a gift to The San Diego Foundation that will benefit our communities in the future and provide benefits for you.

Will or Living Trust
Qualified Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation
Charitable Gift Annuity
Pooled Income Fund
Charitable Remainder Trust
Charitable Lead Trust

Gift by Will or Living Trust

Consider including a charitable bequest in your will or living trust. Simply identify The San Diego Foundation as the beneficiary of a given amount, a percentage, or the residue of your estate. Please see Suggested Wording for Bequests and Trusts for samples.

If you have named The San Diego Foundation as the beneficiary of a charitable bequest, 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 legacy fund, please contact us at legacy@sdfoundation.org so we can be certain we understand your intentions.

Qualified Retirement Plan Beneficiary Designation

Most of us today have assets in a qualified retirement plan to provide us with financial security during our retirement. Often a portion of these assets will remain after our lifetimes. If you plan to pass those assets on to anyone but your spouse, they will be subject to significant taxation, as much as 80 cents or more on the dollar. Making The San Diego Foundation the successor beneficiary to your spouse for those remaining assets gives the full dollar value to support your charitable goals while removing the assets from your estate for tax purposes.

If you have named The San Diego Foundation as the successor beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan, 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.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) can provide an immediate or deferred income for the life of one or two designated individuals, (a portion of the income may be tax-free), may generate a charitable deduction for the donor, and allows the remaining assets to be used to support your favorite charities and/or charitable causes. CGAs are backed by the full faith and credit of The San Diego Foundation

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a contract between the donor(s) and The San Diego Foundation, whereby The Foundation agrees to make payments for the life of one or two designated individuals. We offer immediate CGAs to individuals 65 and over and deferred CGAs are considered on a case-by-case basis. The annuity rate varies positively with age. The minimum contribution to a Charitable Gift Annuity is $25,000. After the lifetime(s) of the donor(s) the remaining assets are used to support the donor(s) favorite organizations or charitable causes.

A CGA is ideal for the donor who wishes to receive an annuity for life in exchange for a contribution to benefit the community and/or has an appreciated, liquid asset yielding a low return, but is reluctant to sell the asset and reinvest because of capital gains tax exposure. Cash may also be used to create a charitable gift annuity.

Sample Current Gift Annuity Rates*

*Rates effective 1/1/09; subject to change.

Please contact us at legacy@sdfoundation.org to learn more about establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity. Or call Amy Walling at (619) 235-2300 for more information. Certain restrictions may apply.

Pooled Income Fund

A similar vehicle to a CRT is the pooled income fund (PIF). You can receive an income for life, take a charitable deduction on your income taxes and, if appreciated assets are used to fund the PIF, you will not be subject to capital gains taxation. Plus, you can open a pooled income fund with a smaller sum than a CRT. The minimum contribution to open a PIF at The San Diego Foundation is $5,000 and additional contributions of $1,000 or more can be made at any time.

Your gift will be managed by US Bank in a pool with the gifts of others. You will receive quarterly checks based on your share of the earnings. After your lifetime, your assets in the pool will be severed and will provide support for The San Diego Foundation or other organizations of your choice.

Please contact us at legacy@sdfoundation.org to learn more about establishing a Pooled Income Fund.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A charitable remainder trust (CRT) permits you to make a gift and receive an income in return. Moreover, if appreciated assets are used to fund the trust, you will not be subject to capital gains taxation. You will also be entitled to an income tax charitable deduction.

There are two types of Charitable Remainder Trusts: Unitrusts and Annuity Trusts. In both cases, the term may be for life or a period of years up to a maximum of 20 years. The minimum annual percentage payout is 5%.

The San Diego Foundation offers a great deal of flexibility as the charitable remainderman of a CRT. By using The Foundation, you can establish a fund with the trust assets that will support specific organizations, general charitable causes or create scholarship programs. As the charitable remainderman, we will receive the assets at the end of the trust term and provide ongoing stewardship of your charitable wishes.

If you have opened a legacy fund with us and have named The San Diego Foundation as the charitable remainderman of your trust, the trust assets will be allocated to your fund and distributed as you have directed. If you have not opened a legacy fund, please contact us at legacy@sdfoundation.org so we can be certain we understand your intentions.

The San Diego Foundation has a partnership program with U.S Bank in the investment of assets along with offering their Charitable and Administrative Trust Services. This partnership provides sophisticated, professional investment, and trust services support. For more information, please contact Amy Walling  (619)235-2300.

Charitable Lead Trust

Then there is the reverse of the CRT- the charitable lead trust (CLT). In this instance you have the trust distribute income to the charity for a period of years or throughout your lifetime with the assets returning to you or, more typically, to family members. Income tax benefits are not the result, but gift and estate tax savings. If planned correctly, the CLT will allow you to make a significant gift to charity and transfer assets to family members with reduced or no gift and estate taxes.

To speak to a charitable giving advisor, please contact Adrienne Vargas at legacy@sdfoundation.org or call (619) 235-2300.

The San Diego Foundation has a partnership program with U.S Bank in the investment of assets along with offering their Charitable and Administrative Trust Services. This partnership provides sophisticated, professional investment, and trust services support. For more information, please contact Amy Walling  (619)235-2300.