Outright gifts

Stock that has increased in value is one of the most popular assets used for charitable giving, once it has been held for more than one year. Making a gift of securities to us offers you the chance to help our organization while realizing many important benefits for yourself.

If you’re 70½ or older, your chance to make tax-free gifts from your IRA for 2011 ends Dec. 31. Under the extended charitable IRA legislation, you can make charitable gifts now to Appalachian State University Foundation, Inc. using funds from your individual retirement accounts (IRAs) without undesirable tax effects.

Do you have money saved in an employee retirement plan, IRA or tax-sheltered annuity? Each of these retirement plan assets contains income that has yet to be taxed. Your beneficiaries will owe the income tax at your death, totaling up to 35 percent, which may be reason enough to consider giving your loved ones less heavily taxed assets and leaving your retirement plan assets to charity instead.

There's more than one way to turn your savings bonds into a generous donation while reducing the tax liability generated by these secure investments.

Your property opens the door to a unique giving opportunity. From townhomes to farmland, many types of real estate assets can be donated to qualified charitable organizations like ours. You'll be helping a good cause, enjoying tax benefits and potentially setting up a lifetime stream of income.

A donation of your closely held stock can be a fine way for you to make a sizable charitable contribution while realizing valuable tax benefits.

Most of us think of life insurance as protection, especially for our loved ones. But it is also a powerful tool you can use to champion our work far into the future. Here's what you need to know.