Investing in Taos Community Foundation is a Win-Win
It’s true: ‘tis the season for gifts and giving. What’s also true: ‘tis the season for investing with Taos Community Foundation.
As we welcome the holiday season, it is quite common for people to make donations to charitable organizations in support of the causes that are important to them. Taos Community Foundation offers a way to do more than make a holiday donation. While often only recognized for its strong grant making role in the community, Taos Community Foundation is also well positioned to accept IRA contributions as a specific, alternative charitable gift. This creates a win, win, and win again scenario.
Alternative gift giving
Taos Community Foundation also referred to as the ‘Foundation,’ has always had the ability to accept more complex gifts.
“We are able to accept a variety of gifts, including real property, stocks, securities and on at least one previous occasion, gemstones, noted Lisa O’Brien, Foundation Director. “Included in this list of potential gifts, are IRA contributions,” she added.
According to Foundation Board Emeritus member, Scott McAdams,
Financial Advisor with Knight Financial, “a required IRA minimum distribution can raise total income which can create an unwanted tax situation. For the philanthropic-minded, rather than take that required distribution, those funds can be directly transferred to the Foundation who will then invest the money to allow for greater charitable reach.”
In essence, with the ability to avoid a higher income tax, a gift of up to $100,000 to the Foundation creates the ability to invest and pay out dividends for decades to come. Win, win, and win again.
Taos Community Foundation partners with local nonprofits for their investment goals
“The Foundation currently holds charitable funds for 37 local nonprofit organizations,” shared O’Brien. “This has been one of the larger areas of growth for us, and we are proud of the partnership we have with these organizations. When we receive gifts such as an IRA minimum distribution, the benefactor can choose one or more of the funds held for a designated organization.”
The interest income on the investment is then available to the organization with a long-term distribution plan in mind. Foundation staff will assist individuals in finding the right ‘home’ for this type of charitable gift. As noted by McAdams, “the Foundation offers excellent donor services in assisting individuals and families with identifying the causes important to them.”
One advantage of an end of the year charitable gift is the qualified IRA gift is not tallied with itemized charitable deductions. This gives the benefactor the ability to exceed the limited gift deduction and potentially enable them to give a bigger charitable gift than they could with just donating cash or other assets.
“A big misconception about the Foundation is that we are a pass-through entity for fundraising dollars,” explained O’Brien. “We are not. Our focus is on building endowment funds for long-term growth. The larger our portfolio, the bigger impact we have in the community.”
The Foundation has grown over the past year both financially and as an organization. Assets are now just over $23 million, held in more than 170 different charitable funds.
Grantmaking in the 2021 fiscal year, awarded over $2.5 million in community awards. To continue to meet the needs of both donors and the community, the Foundation has welcomed two new full-time employees. Susan Shivas, who recently joined the team as an advancement associate, commented, “I am excited to begin my work at the Foundation. It is a privilege to work with donors who have such high aspirations for their gifts.”
For more information on making an IRA gift to the Foundation, or to explore other charitable gift options, please contact the office directly. The office is open to the public, under NM Safe Certification practices. The Foundation is available to assist with all end-of year gifts, through Dec. 31, 2021. Please check the website for specific holiday hours.
Taos Community Foundation Monday–Friday 8am–5pm 115 La Posta Road, Suite A, Taos TaosCF.org
Call 575-737-9300 for more info.