Outright Gifts

Cash

Simple to make

Donor receives maximum charitable income tax deduction

A gift Carleton can use today

If your credit card gives you benefits (such as frequent flyer miles or cash back), and you don’t carry a balance on your card, making a gift to Carleton via credit card can earn you extra rewards.

Stock or mutual fund shares

Can be used to remove an appreciated, but underperforming, asset from a portfolio

Donor receives maximum charitable income tax deduction

Donor avoids paying capital gains tax

A gift Carleton can use today

Trying to decide between a gift of cash and a gift of stock? Consider this an opportunity to diversify your portfolio: Give stock to Carleton, then use the cash you saved to buy into a different stock.

Is your real estate more appreciated than your stock these days? A charitable gift of real estate can offer the same benefits as stock.

Life Income Gifts

Charitable gift annuity

Creates a guaranteed source of fixed income

Donor receives a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift value

The remainder of the gift can be used by Carleton after the death of the annuitants

Can be funded with cash, stock, or mutual fund shares

To receive a higher payout rate and charitable deduction, make a gift today, but defer your first payment until later.

Suggested gift minimum: $10,000

Charitable remainder unitrust

Donor creates a variable stream of income, with a potential hedge against inflation

Donor receives a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the gift value

The remainder of the gift can be used by Carleton after the death of the income beneficiaries

Can be funded with cash, stock, mutual fund shares, or real estate

Can be used to simplify asset management

Can be used to benefit multiple charities

Suggested gift minimum: $100,000

Estate Gifts

Will or trust provision

Donor makes a commitment to Carleton today with little or no impact on current cash flow or investments

Donor retains maximum flexibility and asset control

Gifts expressed as a percentage (e.g. “20% of the residue of my estate”) allow donors to maintain the same relative gifts to heirs and charities, regardless of changes in estate value.

Retirement plan provision

Donor makes a commitment today with little or no impact on current cash flow or investments

Donor retains maximum flexibility and asset control

Donor maximizes inheritance preserved for heirs

Gifts expressed as a percentage (e.g. “20% of my IRA”) allow donors to maintain the same relative gifts to heirs and charities, regardless of changes in account value.

Other Opportunities

Retained life estate

Donor deeds a home or farm to Carleton today, but retains the right to use the property for life.

Donor receives a current charitable income tax deduction

Donor continues to use the property during life

After the donor’s death, Carleton receives the property

Real estate that is unencumbered by a mortgage is the best choice for a charitable gift.

Charitable lead trust

Donor irrevocably transfers assets to a trust, which pays income to Carleton for its term. When the trust term ends, the assets are passed along to heirs.

Donor creates a stream of income for Carleton

At the end of the term of the trust, the remaining assets are transferred to heirs

Can reduce estate taxes

Helps donor time inheritances

These types of trusts are complex. For best results, discuss this option with your tax attorney and financial planner.