Securities, Stocks and Mutual Funds
By donating securities to a charity, you can avoid long-term capital gains taxes on their appreciation in value. For example, let’s say that you normally donate $2,500 a year to CASA. In 2023, you learned that CASA accepts gifts of stocks, so you decide to give 14 shares of Lowe’s, selling at a daily average of $200/share that you bought in 2020 for $75/share ($75 x 14 shares = $1,050). Your deduction is limited to 30% of your adjusted gross income, plus a five-year carryover.
Your gift of $2,800 ($200 x 14 shares) is eligible for a charitable income tax deduction and avoids long term capital gains taxes on the $1,750 appreciation ($,2800 - $1,050) over the purchase price.
Here is one resource with further information. There are many others. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/07/donatestock.asp
If you plan to make a gift of securities, please let us know since brokers may not provide this information to us.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF)
You want your charitable donations to be as effective as possible when you give. A donor advised fund is one of the easiest and most tax-advantageous ways to give to charity.
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable account for supporting charitable organizations you care about. It cannot be used for any other purpose than recommending grants to qualified charities.
When you contribute cash, securities or other assets (e.g., real estate, cryptocurrency or art) to a donor-advised fund at a public charity, generally, you are eligible to take an immediate charitable income tax deduction. The funds can be invested for tax-free growth, increasing the power of your generosity.
If you plan to make a gift from your DAF, please let us know since the sponsoring organization may not provide this information to us.
Giving from Your IRA
Are you looking for ways to reduce your taxes? What about giving more to charity while paying less in income tax? You can do both by using your IRA to make charitable gifts. Read on!
Donors like you are taking advantage of provisions in the tax code that allow you to make a direct transfer from your traditional IRA to qualified charities -- like CASA of Allegheny County, as part of your annual RMD (required minimum distribution). While it is not considered income as your RMD normally is, you forgo a charitable income tax deduction. Thus, you meet your annual RMD and reduce your taxable income, a win for you and the charity.
Many donors find that with the higher standard deduction, it is appealing to lower their income by giving directly to charity. Called a qualified charitable distribution or QCD, a donor requests a ‘rollover’ directly from their IRA of an amount up to $100,000 annually and can be given to multiple charities.
To make a QCD, you must be age 70 ½ or more (even if you’re not required to take your RMD until age 72) and the funds must go directly to the charity. You and your spouse each can give up to $100,000 annually if you each have a traditional IRA and the transfer must be complete by December 31st. . Your IRA custodian (Schwab, Vanguard, Fidelity and TIAA, for example) has instructions on how to carry out your wishes.
This is not tax or legal advice, and we encourage you to talk with your tax advisor or IRA custodian. If we can be of any help, please contact CASA.
Matching Gifts
Participating in a matching gift program makes your donation go further. Many companies encourage employees to donate to their favorite charities by matching their contributions, in some cases dollar-for-dollar or more. Some companies may match gifts made by retirees or spouses of employees. Additionally, some employers donate based on your volunteer service. Check with your company for details.
Give Online
Contribute to CASA of Allegheny County via our secure process and know that you have helped to change the life of an at-risk child.
Monetary
To send your check to CASA, our mailing address is
CASA of Allegheny County
564 Forbes Avenue, Ste 1302
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Sponsor a Child Society
You, your family, your company or group of friends can sponsor one child in Allegheny County through no fault of their own. Members of the Sponsor a Child Society (SACS) commit to contributing $2,000 a year for five years. For $5.48/day you can change the life of a child assigned a CASA by the Family Court system, ensuring every child has a voice. For more information on the Sponsor a Child Society, please contact development@pgh-casa.org.
Tribute Gifts/ In Memory or Honor
Consider giving to CASA of Allegheny County in memory or honor of a loved one or friend to continue their legacy of making a difference in the life of an abused child. Tribute gifts can be made at https://pgh-casa.org/donate/#donate or from Support CASA at the homepage. For more information, please contact development@pgh-casa.org.
United Way Donor Choice Agency #802
Our local United Way is a powerful force for good that supports charitable organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania. Remember the at-risk children we serve when you take part in your employer’s United Way Campaign and designate your gift to the CASA Program/Allegheny County, Agency Code #802. Your financial support through United Way will help ensure uninterrupted advocacy for the children we serve and extend our reach to more children in need.
Planned Giving Opportunities
Have you considered making CASA of Allegheny County a beneficiary in your will or estate plan or beneficiary (percentage or dollar amount) of your retirement plan? How about the owner and/or beneficiary of a life insurance policy you no longer need? If you would like to talk about options, contact Karen Galentine at kgalentine@pgh-casa.org or 412-594-3606, or development@pgh-casa.org.
Corporate Sponsorship
Sponsorship packages are available for CASA of Allegheny County events and programs. For information on how to expose your brand to loyal groups of CASA supporters, contact development@pgh-casa.org.
In-Kind Donations
In-kind donations support recruiting, training and supervising volunteers, ultimately allowing compassionate adults to fight for a child's right to be safe, treated with dignity, and grow in the security of a loving home. Please contact us at info@pgh-casa.org for a list of frequently needed items.
