Benefits of Donating Real Estate

Real estate represents the largest asset class in the United States, yet only 3 percent of total charitable giving comes from such gifts.

Real estate is often overlooked as a powerful charitable giving asset due to its size, sophistication and complexity.

However, donating appreciated land or real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property, to a 501(c)3 public charity or donor-advised fund can provide significant benefits.

Benefits include:

  • Avoiding capital gains tax on the sale of the real estate
  • Receiving a charitable income tax deduction based on fair market value
  • Increasing your income for retirement with a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust
  • Complementing the unique advantages of your private foundation
  • Making a greater philanthropic impact
  • Leaving a lasting legacy for you and your family
Gift Types Benefits
Outright gift to organization Charitable deduction and tax savings
Charitable remainder trust Income, charitable deduction and tax savings
Charitable gift annuity Guaranteed fixed payments, charitable deduction and tax savings
Bargain sale Cash, charitable deduction and tax savings

“When I was ready to sell my rental property on Park Boulevard, The Foundation helped me set up my real estate donation as a charitable gift annuity so I could increase my income during retirement. It brings me great delight that The Foundation will receive the balance of my gift after my passing.”

Heather Chisholm
SDF Fund Advisor

“My client received great joy well beyond the charitable deduction by getting to personally know his beneficiaries during his lifetime. The remainder of his real estate gift contributed to his legacy fund, which continues to support his and his partner’s beloved charities.”

Laura Nichols
Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
Buchalter Law Offices

Turn Your Real Estate Asset into Impact

The San Diego Foundation Charitable Real Estate Foundation (CREF) Board is our team of industry leaders that recognizes the growing importance of real estate gifts in estate and tax planning as well as personal and family philanthropy.

Our CREF Board acts in an advisory role to our staff.

The board provides oversight and guidance for our Giving Team, as we help donors and professional advisors tap into the substantial benefits of donating real estate assets and give a timely, accurate indication of the potential gift value of the property.

CREF Board Members



Cindy J. Bertrand
Cindy J. Bertrand

Chief Financial Officer
California Western School of Law

Mark D. Bitterlin
Mark D. Bitterlin

Founder & President
Bitterlin Companies Inc.

Joseph A. Delaney
Joseph A. Delaney

Principal
Delaney Real Estate Law

Jim Howell
James Howell

Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner, San Diego Housing Fund

Elvin Lai
Elvin Lai

President & CEO
Ocean Park Inn Hotel

Tim Meissner
Tim Meissner

Principal
Meissner Jacquét Commercial Real Estate Services

Renee Savage
Renee Savage

President
SavageCRE, Inc.

Mark Stuart
Mark Stuart, CFRE

President & CEO
San Diego Foundation

Allan Wasserman
Allan Wasserman

Senior Vice President Senior Commercial Counsel
Fidelity National Title San Diego

Tony Yousif
Tony Yousif

Director of National Accounts
SVN CompassRock

Resources

Contact Our Team

If you or your client are interested in learning more about the benefits of gifting real estate to charity or a donor-advised fund, contact Director, Gift Planning Advisor Leslie S. Klein, CFP®, AEP® at (619) 814-1353, email us or submit a Contact Form.

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