Ways To Give | Northern Indiana Community Foundation

Ways To Give

There are lots of ways to make a gift to the causes you care about through your Community Foundation. The Community Foundations make giving simple and accept any size gift. We work with you to match your interests with community needs. We accept gifts of cash, credit card, stock, marketable securities, and real estate. Whether you want to leave your favorite charity in your will, or if you want to make a gift now—we can guide you through the process; providing you with flexible and tax-effective ways to realize your charitable goals.

Seedling Funds

Giving that works for you and your community

What is a Seedling Fund?

A Seedling Fund is a planned giving agreement that allows you to build a named fund over five years with the Community Foundation. In the past, the Community Foundation required an initial minimum gift of $5,000 to establish an endowment fund. With a Seedling Fund, you now can establish a fund immediately with less than $5,000 and add to it over five years. Seedling Funds may be established in any of the fund choices available through the Community Foundation.

Who should consider establishing a Seedling Fund?

If you are still young and building your career, or just retired and want to be careful with your assets as you plan for your retirement, or you’re just not in a position to make a one-time gift to meet the endowment fund minimum, then a Seedling Fund may work for you.

How does a Seedling Fund work?

The Seedling Fund works by making an initial gift to build the principal. When the Seedling Fund has reached the $5,000 minimum, it will be eligible to distribute grants and scholarships.

How do I set up a Seedling Fund?

Please call your local Community Foundation office in Fulton, Miami, or Starke County. We will be happy to put together a Seedling Fund Plan that will work for you.

Gift Planning Quick Guide
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Gift	How	Why
Outright Gifts
Cash	Write check, or use credit card.	Easy to make; income tax charitable deduction for full value of gift (subject to 50% of Adjusted Gross Income limit).
Securities	Typically, transfer to charity an appreciated asset (stocks, bonds) held for more than one year.	Income tax charitable deduction for full fair market value; no capital gains tax payable on asset's appreciated value.
Closely Held Stock	Corporation gives stock to charity, then repurchases same stock from the charity.	Fair market value of stock deductible as charitable contribution; no capital gains tax.
Tangible Personal Property	Donate property to charity.	Income tax deduction for full fair market value if gift property used by charity for its exempt purposes (otherwise, deduction limited to adjusted cost basis.) Qualified appraisals often necessary.

Life Income Plans
Charitable Gift Annuity	Assets (usually cash or securities) donated to charity in exchange for fixed annuity payments.	Current income tax charitable deduction for gift portion of donation; part of payments may be tax-free return of principal; capital gains tax on transfer spread over donor's life expectancy.
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT)	Set up trust that pays specific annual benefit for life of beneficiary(ies), or for a period up to 20 years; trust property transferred to charity when donor benefits end; usually funded with cash or securities.	Income tax charitable deduction; possibly avoids capital gains when funded with long-term appreciated property.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)	Similar to CRAT, except income amount varies each year as trust assets are re-valued; may be funded with cash, securities, and other assets.	Same benefits as CRAT.

Revocable Gifts
Bequest	Use will to direct property to a charity at your death.	Estate tax charitable deduction for value of gift; donor retains lifetime use and control of property intended as bequest gift; most popular form of planned gift.
Revocable Living Trust	Set up trust that directs disposition of assets, including gifts to charity; trust can be revoked or changed.	Minimizes costs and delays of probate; facilitates transfer of assets; plan is private, not public (unlike a will); continuity of asset management in the event of death or disability.
Retirement Plan Assets	Charity named as beneficiary of retirement plan assets (other arrangements also possible).	May have estate planning benefits, because income in respect of a decedent (IRD) is taxable to heirs, but not to charities.

Other Gifts
Donor Advised Fund	Donor makes irrevocable contribution to a restricted fund maintained by charitable organization.	Income tax charitable deduction for full amount of gift; donor may advise regarding fund distribution, but donor may not place material restrictions on fund.
Real Estate	Make gift through outright transfer of ownership, through trust, or through will. Arrangements and benefits vary.	Possible income tax charitable deduction, possible capital gains tax savings, possible estate tax deduction.
Retained Life Estate	A form of real estate gift in which donor makes gift of real estate but retains right to live in property for remainder of his or her life.	Income tax charitable deduction based on present value of remainder interest.
Charitable Lead Trust (CLT)	Charity receives annual trust income; trust principal reverts to donor or beneficiaries at end of trust term.	Qualified CLT may qualify for a gift tax or estate tax charitable deduction, and sometimes income tax charitable deduction depending on type of CLT.
Life Insurance	Give life insurance policy to charity, or designate charity as beneficiary of policy, or use policy as wealth replacement tool for a CRAT or CRUT.	Income tax charitable deduction for donated policy.