Ways to Give
Outright Gifts
Cash
The most popular type of charitable gift due to its convenience, an outright gift of cash is considered made on the date it is mailed or hand-delivered to the FSU Foundation. If you itemize deductions, cash gifts to the College of Medicine are considered tax-deductible, up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. Any unused amount may be carried over for up to five years. Cash-gift pledges are usually to be paid over a period of up to five years.
Appreciated Property
Gifts of stock, bonds and/or real estate have potential double tax benefits for you as the donor. The full value of your assets usually is deductible with no capital gains tax paid on the appreciation.
Tangible Personal Property (Gift-in-kind)
Gifts of artwork, rare books, stamp or coin collections and other tangible personal property generally entitle you to a charitable deduction. The amount of the deduction depends on whether the property is used by the university in a way that is related to its mission and whether you created the property yourself, as in the case of literary, artistic or musical compositions.
Planned Gifts
Charitable Gift Annuity
By establishing a charitable gift annuity, you can make a gift of cash or securities to the College of Medicine in exchange for a guaranteed fixed income for life. In addition to an assured income for the remainder of your life, you receive significant tax advantages and an excellent rate of return.
Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity
With a deferred gift annuity, income payments do not begin immediately but rather at some specified future date. Deferring the payments allows you to receive a higher rate of return and increased tax deductions.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
A charitable remainder unitrust permits you to irrevocably transfer property to a trust in return for an income based on the annual fair-market value of the trust's assets. You receive estate tax benefits as well as an immediate income tax charitable deduction. Upon the death of the last surviving beneficiary, or at a specified time, the trust assets are transferred to the College of Medicine.
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
An annuity trust is similar to the unitrust described above except it pays a fixed amount each year rather than a percentage of the trust assets. Also, you cannot make additional contributions to an annuity trust after it is created.
Charitable Lead Trust
Through a charitable lead trust, you can transfer property to a trust that will pay income each year to the College of Medicine for a specified period of time. The principal of the trust then reverts to you or your beneficiary. This arrangement permits you to take the maximum charitable tax deduction without making an outright gift of income-producing assets.
Bequests
Making a bequest through your will or a living trust is another option for charitable giving to the College of Medicine. Charitable bequests provide estate tax benefits and enable you to make significant contributions that may not be possible during your lifetime.
Corporate & Foundation Gifts
If you are a corporate or foundation representative and would like more information about matching your priorities and interests with opportunities and resources at the College of Medicine please contact us.
Giving Anonymously
Occasionally a donor wishes to make a gift anonymously or wishes not to receive public recognition for a gift. If you want to avoid public notice of your gift, we will honor that wish by not printing your name in any published donor listings or news releases. Please advise us of your preferences or concerns; we will make every effort to honor your wishes.