Connecticut Toolkit for Giving

 

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Comparing Options for Giving

This chart provides a summary comparison of the major types of charitable options. We encourage you to discuss details with your legal and financial advisors.

Make a direct gift to charity Establish a private foundation Contribute to a community foundation Develop a corporate giving program or foundation Establish a supporting organization Join a giving circle Establish a donor-advised fund
Donor can control asset investment No Yes Limited1 Yes Limited Limited2 Limited1
Donor can control giving priorities Yes3 Yes Limited4 Yes Limited Limited2 Limited4
How likely to be perpetual Low5 High High Not Applicable High Low High
Donor may control who serves on board No6 Yes No6 Yes Limited Yes No6
Requires donor time and effort, plus expense of staff and management No Yes No8 Yes Yes Yes7 Limited13
Minimum payout required No Yes No Yes, if a Foundation No Yes No
Must pay tax on investment income and realized capital gains No Yes(1-2%) No Yes11, if a Foundation No No No
Tax deduction limitation for gifts of cash 50%9 30%9 50%9 10% of pre-tax profits9 50%9 50%9 50%9
Tax deduction limitation for gifts of stock or real property 30%9 20%9,10 30%9 10% of pre-tax profits9 30%9 30%9 30%9
Valuation of gifts of property other than publicly traded stock Fair Market Value Cost Basis Fair Market Value Cost Basis, if a Foundation Fair Market Value Not Applicable12 Fair Market Value
Separate tax return required and open to public inspection No Yes No Yes11, if a Foundation Yes No No

Notes:

(1) In some cases the donor may recommend investment managers or investment vehicles subject to the
     approval and control of the community foundation or investing institution.

(2) Legal structures of giving circles vary, resulting in different levels of donor control. Pooling resources
     with others also limits direct personal control.

(3) Charity and donor can agree on how contribution is spent.

(4) A restricted gift can be confined to the stated purpose, but the donor relinquishes control of the
     investments and its disposition. A donor-advised fund permits the donor to make recommendations
     subject to the ultimate control of the community foundation or investing institution.

(5) Except when you create an endowment.

(6) Any citizen may be elected or appointed to the board of any public charity. The donor gift does not
     guarantee such an outcome except in the case of supporting organizations.

(7) Giving circles vary in requirements for involvement and in management structure cost.

(8) Community foundations often assess a management or administrative fee.

(9) Percentage refers to the amount of adjusted gross income that may be deducted. Excess in any year's
    donations can be carried forward for five years.

(10) Except for gifts of publicly traded stock, the deductible value of lifetime gifts of closely held stock of
      real property is limited to tax basis, which is generally cost.

(11) Corporate foundations must pay the same excise tax as any private foundation.

(12) Giving circles typically accept donations of cash and stock only.

(13) Annual management fees can range from 1% to 2.5% of the fund's value.

 

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