How can you give to charity

PHOTO CAROLYN ROGERS Amanda Cregmiles, 11, a patient at the Children's Hospital rocks on with the rocking chair given to her by hospital donors Karyle and Glenn Bechdel, of Fort Myers "Sold to the couple in the back," bellowed the auctioneer pointing to Glenn and Karyle Bechdel at the Rock On Scramble & Jam fundraiser held recently at Magnolia Landing in North Fort Myers. The Bechdels bought two rocking chairs painted by area artists at the auction to benefit the Alliance for the Arts, Barbara's Friends - the Children's Hospital Cancer Fund, the John Entwistle Foundation and the March of Dimes.

"This is a fun way to give to charity," said Glenn Bechdel. "I love a good auction."

Giving to charity can take many forms as there are numerous options in charitable giving. If you want to give, there is some vehicle that will work for you. There are one-step solutions, or others which require careful planning and qualified expert advice.

One of the most common types of gifts to non-profit organizations is cash followed by gifts of appreciate stock.

Regardless of the size of your gift, charitable organizations are grateful for the opportunity to put your donation to immediate use. When you fund your gift by giving long term appreciate stock, there is an added benefit to the donor. You receive a charitable deduction for the full value of the stock without incurring capital gains tax. To receive this benefit, you must give the stock directly to the organization. The charity then sells the stock.

Other simple yet creative ways to give to charity include giving a life insurance policy; including a charitable bequest in your will; establishing a Charitable Fund, a special investment account earmarked for charity; creating a donor advised fund set up through a community foundation.

There are many outstanding planned giving tools to also consider but the tax benefits should be discussed with your tax advisor. These tools allow donors to remove assets from their estate and enhance their tax benefits as well as leave inheritance upon their death.

"The government knows that we are better at taking care of those in need in our communities through directly giving to local organizations," said Frank Bireley, a donor who makes grants from The Bireley Family Foundation Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of Southwest Florida.

Whether donations are made by an individual, through a donor advised fund, family foundation or other giving vehicles, a good strategy can gain tax savings and also benefit the charity in big ways.

So next time you're motivated to give to charity, decide to do it, then spend a little time and research the best way to make a difference….It could mean as much or more than a rocking chair to a charity, and more benefits to the couple bidding at an auction. n