We are coming to the end of the year and it’s time to give serious thought to donating to your favorite charities.​​ They will love you and you have the opportunity to have a huge impact. Here are just a few ways to make this happen.

Think about which charities you wish to give to. 

During November and December, we are deluged with donation letters. Have you considered how to approach this end-of-year charitable planning? You can donate small amounts to many charities, or you can focus on just a few of them and have a stronger impact.

The most popular way to donate in the United States is simply to write a check or use your credit card for an outright donation, even receiving airline points or Money back. In some cases, you will be able to deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income from your taxes. Make sure you receive a letter from the 501(c)(3) organization or this could be nullified. 

Think of the types of assets you’d like to donate.

You can donate assets including Real Estate and cars. There are limitations with automobiles and they must be running, for the most part, to receive a tax deduction. However, with real Estate, you have options. 

Consider setting up a Trust.

That way, you can use the options of donating rental property or a second home. For example, you can donate the current income from the property, but retain the property for your children. You can retain the rental income but donate the property at a future date. Options exist!

Think of donating highly appreciated stock. 

We have experienced great appreciation since 2008 and charities love donated stock.  Most of the time they can turn the stock into cash with no tax implications and you get the write-off at the current market value. 

Be part of charitable fundraising events. 

Although you cannot write off the full value of the merchandise or trips purchased, you can get some terrific deals and the charity will still benefit.

Use an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT).

Life insurance can be a terrific way to donate huge proceeds upon death without having a negative impact on the next generation. As a matter of fact, this could be a great way to have a building named after you. Your name could live on in perpetuity. 

Time to set up a Foundation.

This could be a terrific way to truly impact the next generation. Most foundations are required to give away 5% of their revenue each year to charity and you could name one of your children as the President of this foundation, and they would most probably be invited to galas throughout the year. A way to hobnob with the rich and famous.

Rutgers University, my alma mater. Go Scarlet Raiders!

Set up grants for tuition for schools. 

Colleges and private schools are always looking for people who want to help their members. You can even be anonymous if desired.

Image courtesy of Butte Humane Society.

Set up a Donor Advised Fund. 

You could receive a tax deduction today for your large donation, control it 100%, and decide which charity should receive the proceeds at a future date.

Just the fact that you are considering end-of-year charitable planning is a wonderful thing. I wish you the very best. I’m here to help, check my calendar to book an appointment.

For more information, reach out to me anytime. Email me at elliot@prosperityfinancialgroup.com or call (925) 314-8503 if you want to chat more about this.

All my best,

Elliot Kallen

The post Giving Well: End-of-Year Charitable Planning appeared first on Prosperity Financial Group | San Ramon, CA.

Elliot Kallen Wealth Manager | Registered Principal

For more than three decades, Elliot has provided customized wealth management solutions for entrepreneurs, business owners, retirees, and millennials.

Elliot and his wife, Tammy, are passionate about giving back to the community through their 501(c)(3) foundation, A Brighter Day. Through his partnership with A Brighter Day Charity, the Kallen family has helped local teens and young adults recognize and access resources to cope with the risks of stress and depression.

He enjoys spending his free time with his family. Some of his hobbies include cooking, wine, golf, travel, and studying history.

He lives in Lafayette, California with his wife, step-daughter, and grandson.