Ways to Give

Being creative in the way you think about supporting a charity that is near and dear to your heart can allow you to make a gift larger than you ever thought possible. The tax benefits might also surprise you.

 


Cash Gift

The simplest method of giving is an outright gift by personal check or credit card.

 


Appreciated Securities

A gift of long-term appreciated securities not only receives an income tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities, but also avoids capital gains taxes on the transfer.

 


IRA Charitable Rollover (Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD)

If you are an IRA owner 70 ½ years or older, this a simple, tax-free way to immediately support the St. Johnsbury Academy students and programs you care about. Transfer any amount, up to $100,000 annually, from your IRA to St. Johnsbury Academy and pay no taxes on that gift. The transfer may count as part of your required minimum distribution.

 

There are two easy steps to make your IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to SJA:

  1. Direct your account administrator to make a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA to St. Johnsbury Academy. Download our sample form to provide the right language to your administrator.

  2. Contact us today at tammi.cady@stjacademy.org or (802) 751-2011 to inform us of your gift. Our team is available to work with you and your financial advisors.

 
Important rules to remember:
  • You must be 70 ½ years of age or older at the time of your gift. For individuals who have a required minimum distribution (73 years or older), this transfer may count as part of that requirement.

  • The transfer must be made from your IRA directly to St. Johnsbury Academy.

  • Your total annual IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution gift(s) cannot exceed $100,000 in the calendar year of the gift. This is a per person and annual limit.

  • New in 2023 — you can make a one-time $50,000 QCD to a charitable remainder unitrust, charitable remainder annuity trust, or charitable gift annuity.

  • Generally, Roth IRAs are not suitable for QCDs and other qualified retirement plans—401(k)s, 403(b)s, etc—are not eligible.

  • We must receive your gift by Dec. 31 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, please be aware that your check must clear your account by Dec. 31 to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.

 

This information is provided with the understanding that neither St. Johnsbury Academy nor the authors are providing legal, accounting, or other professional advice or counsel. Please consult your personal counsel about the financial, tax and legal implications of any gift.

 


Real and Personal Property

A residence or other real property may be given as an outright gift with a tax deduction equal to the value of the property. If a donor gives a residence or vacation home, they can retain the right to occupy it for life.

 


Bequests and Retirement Plans

Provisions in a will allow a donor to make a contribution without diminishing the assets during their lifetime. Since bequests are deductible from the taxable estate, significant estate tax savings are possible. Naming a charity as a beneficiary of a retirement plan also avoids income tax when the charity receives its distribution from the plan.

 


Charitable Gift Annuity

In exchange for a gift of money or securities, a charity will pay the donor and/or a loved one a fixed amount annually for the rest of their life. A portion of this income is not taxed. The donor also receives a charitable deduction for part of the gift as calculated with IRS tables.

 


Charitable Remainder Trusts

A donor can use an irrevocable trust to provide themselves and/or a loved one with a fixed annual income or an income which varies with the value of the trust. Part of the gift qualifies for an income tax deduction, as calculated with IRS tables. At the death of the last income beneficiary, the corpus of the trust is distributed to the charity.

 


Charitable Lead Trusts

A donor can support a charity for a term of years or for the life of an individual by creating a charitable lead trust. Income will be paid to the charity of the donor’s choice each year during the term of the trust. When the trust terminates, the assets in the trust revert to the donor or to individuals the donor wish to benefit.

 


Life Insurance

When a life insurance policy is given to a charity, the cash surrender value of the policy is deductible as a charitable contribution. If the donor continues to pay premiums after their gift, these premiums are also deductible.

 

Please contact Assistant Head for Advancement Tammi Sullivan Cady ’88 by phone at (802) 751-2011 or by email at tammi.cady@stjacademy.org for more information.

Ways To Give: Read What Other Alums Are Saying

 

Link to the make a gift form

Every gift is important and needed. Thank you for your generosity.