More ways to give

Gifts that reduce your taxes

Gifts of appreciated securities

When you give stock or securities (bonds, mutual funds), you may be eligible for a double tax benefit: 

• You receive an income tax deduction for the full, present, fair market value of the assets
• You may completely avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation of the assets

This is one of the easiest gifts to give–and one of the most useful in accomplishing your philanthropic goals.  

The first step in making a gift of this type to provide your broker with the following transfer information:

DTC number: Clearing 0164, Code 40

Receiving Name: Michigan Environmental Council

Receiving Account Number: 6732-3918

Our Federal Tax ID Number: 38-2517980

When you make a gift to the Environmental Council by transferring stocks into our account, we do not receive any information that identifies you as the donor. To ensure that you receive a proper tax acknowledgement of your gifts, please let us know you have initiated such a gift.  You may reach us at (517) 487-9539.

As always, we recommend that you consult your tax or financial professional for advice before making charitable donations. 

Retirement assets

A gift of your retirement assets, such as an employee retirement plan, IRA or tax-sheltered annuity, is an excellent way to make a gift. A gift of these assets can shield you or your heirs from taxes while funding the Environmental Council.

Giving from your IRA : A Special Opportunity for those 70.5 years-plus old

You can make a difference today and save on taxes.  It is possible when you support the Environmental Council through your IRA. 

You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $105,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity, such as the Environmental Council, without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $105,000 or less are eligible for this benefit, and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution, QCD.

Why consider this gift?

• Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making.
• Beginning in the year you turn 73, you can use your IRA charitable rollover gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).
• You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you don’t itemize your deductions.
• Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level.  This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

Gifts that cost you nothing now

Gifts in a will or trust

Making a legacy gift through your will or trust, known as a bequest, is one of the easiest and most popular ways to make a lasting impact on the Michigan Environmental Council. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after all other provisions are specified. It’s flexible in that you can alter your gift or change your mind at any time for any reason.  It costs you nothing now to donate this way.

Below is suggested language to use when drafting your bequest.

For an unrestricted gift that allows the Michigan Environmental Council to determine how to use the funds based on the most pressing needs, use the following language for your will and/or trust:

“I give to the Michigan Environmental Council, a nonprofit organization currently located 602 W. Ionia St, Lansing, MI 48933, or its successor thereto,_______ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose.”

To designate your provision for a particular purpose:

“I give to the Michigan Environmental Council, a nonprofit organization currently located at 620 W. Ionia St, Lansing, MI 48933 or its successor thereto, _______[written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property].  This gift should be used for (state purpose) if and so long as the Michigan Environmental Council determines that the need exists.  If the Michigan Environmental Council shall determine at the outset or at a later time that the need does not exist, or no longer exists or for some reason it is not possible (or prudent) to administer my gift as originally intended, then the Michigan Environmental Council may, in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that state above.”

If you have named the Michigan Environmental Council in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes.  Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift.  However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.