Photo by Pete Gregoire

Help Build the FOSNP Endowment!

Donors can make a lasting commitment to the protection of Saguaro National Park by remembering FOSNP in their estate planning, and helping to build the Friends' endowment.  Planned gifts can help donors save on their taxes . . . increase their income . . . and pass more of their hard-earned resources to their family and heirs.

• Giving appreciated property, like stocks or real estate, often costs the donor less than giving the equivalent amount in cash.
• Some assets can benefit a donor more if they're given away.
• Some gifts cost a donor nothing now, but could leave a legacy later.
• Some gifts allow donors to actually pass more of their assets to their heirs by saving on taxes.

Gifts of Cash

There is no easier way to generate a charitable deduction -- and support Friends at the same time -- than by simply writing a check.  If you itemize, your outright gifts of cash are fully deductible for federal income tax purposes up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.  If your total gifts should exceed this limitation, the excess may be carried forward for tax purposes for up to five additional years.

Gifts of Stock

Giving long-term appreciated stock offers the donor a two-fold tax saving.  First, you avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of your stock.  In addition, you receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift.  For income tax purposes the value of such gifts may be deducted up to 30% of adjusted gross income, with an additional five-year carry forward.

Gifts of Real Estate

If you have owned your home, a vacation home, acreage, or a farm for many years, a charitable gift of that real estate can be particularly tax-advantageous for the donor.  The property may have appreciated in value over the years that its sale would result in a sizeable capital gains tax.  If given to Friends instead, the donor could avoid the tax, and at the same time, realize a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the real estate.

Gifts of Life Insurance

If you own a life insurance policy that is no longer needed, consider making it a charitable gift to Friends.  To receive a charitable deduction, name FOSNP as both the owner and beneficiary of the policy.  If the policy has a cash value, you can take a charitable deduction approximately equal to the cash value at the time of the gift.  In addition, if annual premiums are still to be made and you continue to pay them, those premiums will become tax deductible each year.

Life Income Gifts

If you are considering a major gift, your gift of cash or stock in the form of a "life income gift" could significantly increase your income.  A life income gift allows you to transfer assets to Friends now, and yet continue to receive income from the cash, stock, or other property contributed.  A life income gift can allow the donor to:  (1) increase your income for life;  (2) receive a generous charitable contribution deduction for the current tax year;  and (3) if you contribute stock, avoid any capital gains tax on the appreciation.  A life income gift is often made through a trust arrangement, such as an "annuity trust."

If you'd like to make a planned gift to FOSNP, just check with your attorney or tax advisor, and then contact the Friends office.