Compare ways to give

Organizations you can support

Many organizations and individuals, as long as the grant is made for a charitable purpose

IRS-qualified public charities and, generally, private foundations

Public charities

Growth potential

Donations of non-cash items

Free online setup

*Cash/debit/check is free, but credit cards and many online fundraising intermediaries charge fees.

Income tax deduction*
*Percentage of adjusted gross income (AGI)

30% for cash

20% for appreciated assets*

*Appreciated, publicly traded assets held for over a year are generally deductible at fair market value, while non-publicly traded assets are generally deductible at the lesser of FMV or basis

Depends on the type of charity supported by the trust and the type of trust

60% to qualifying charities*

*When donating to a public charity. 30% when donating to a private foundation.

Tax on investment income

1.39% of net investment income

Depends on the nature of the trust

N/A

Option to support charities anonymously

Ability to name successors

Consider this when

You want to operate a charitable organization and potentially employ a staff, hire investment managers, actively manage grant-making, and sponsor charitable events.

You want a trust that can generate income for, and eventually pass on a remainder interest to, heirs and charities.

You want to make one-off donations and manage your own donation receipts at tax time.