Asset

Age

(typical range)

Amount

Associated benefits

(subject to limitations)

Cash

Any age

Any amount

Tax deduction

Appreciated stock

Any age

Any amount

Tax deduction, no capital gains tax due

Donor-advised fund grant

Any age

Any amount

Tax deduction (at the time the assets are contributed to the fund, not at the time the grant is made)

Gift in your will

Any age

Any amount

Flexibility—pay nothing now, reduce the size of your estate later

Beneficiary designation

Any age

Any amount

Flexibility—pay nothing now, reduce the size of your estate later

Gift to an existing endowment fund

Any age

Any amount

Tax deduction, support meaningful program or area well into the future

Tangible personal property

Any age

Any amount

Tax deduction, no capital gains tax due

Real estate

55+

$100,000+

Tax deduction, no capital gains tax due

Business interest

55+

$100,000+

Tax deduction, no capital gains tax due

Charitable remainder trust

55+

$100,000+

Tax deduction, no capital gains tax due, income stream for you and/or your named income beneficiaries

Charitable lead trust

55+

$100,000+

Reduction in gift and estate taxes, no tax due on any appreciation of trust assets

Life insurance

70+

$100,000+

Tax deduction if you make a gift of a policy, flexibility if you make a gift using a beneficiary designation

Gift from an IRA (outright)

70½+

Up to $108,000

No tax is due on the distribution, which counts toward your RMD

Gift from an IRA (life income)

70½+

Up to $54,000

No tax is due on the distribution, which counts toward your RMD, and you create an income stream for yourself and/or your spouse

Blended gift

Any age

Any amount

Combine two or more gifts to meet your charitable goals and provide the benefits you desire