Ways to Make a Gift
The Connecticut Community Foundation offers many ways for you to give that fit your lifestyle and charitable goals.
Current Gift
An outright gift during your lifetime is a wonderful way to express your charitable interests and become involved with the Foundation. You may establish a fund or add to an existing fund, for example, in support the Foundation’s community work and operations or special initiative funds.
Bequest
A bequest in your will or trust is a simple way to support your community in perpetuity while also possibly reducing estate taxes. A bequest can be structured as a percentage or a specific amount of your estate, or a residuary amount. The Foundation may also be named the contingent beneficiary should other beneficiaries die first. You can add to an existing fund or create a new fund.
Life Income Gifts
There are several ways that enable you to make a charitable contribution now, receive a current tax deduction and retain a life income for yourself, your spouse or others you designate. The remainder, after the death of the income beneficiary, establishes a charitable fund at the Foundation.
The Foundation administers both charitable gift annuities and a pooled income fund. For contributions over $200,000 you may want to consider either a charitable remainder trust.
Charitable Lead Trusts
Charitable lead trusts are particularly beneficial for donors who have income producing assets and wish to shelter future appreciation from estate taxes. The Foundation receives the income during the life of the trust. The assets revert to other beneficiaries at the termination of the trust at a significantly reduced gift and estate tax.
Retirement assets
Qualified Retirement Plans may be the most tax-burdened assets you can own. Consider these assets when you are making a gift to charity.
