Gifts of Stock or Individual Retirement Account
Leave a gift of non-cash assets to benefit salmon in the Skagit Watershed, now and for generations to come.
Give from your IRA with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
If you’re 70½ or older and have a traditional IRA, you may be able to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly to Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.
Why a QCD can be better than giving cash
- It counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Once you reach 73, the IRS requires you to take a minimum distribution from your IRA each year. A QCD can satisfy part or all of that requirement.
- It may reduce your taxable income. Because the funds go straight from your IRA to charity, a QCD is generally excluded from your taxable income, up to IRS limits. That can affect your tax bracket, Medicare premiums, and the taxation of your Social Security benefits.
- You don’t need to itemize. Even if you take the standard deduction, a QCD can still offer a tax advantage.
How your gift helps salmon and future generations
QCDs provide steady, annual support that lets us plan habitat projects, care for restored sites, and engage more youth and community members in hands-on salmon recovery. It’s a way to turn a required distribution into a legacy of healthier rivers for your grandchildren and beyond.
How to make a QCD
- Confirm you’re 70½ or older on the date of the gift.
- Contact your IRA administrator and request a QCD made payable directly to Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group.
- Ask your administrator to include your name and contact information with the check so we can acknowledge your gift.
- Talk with your tax advisor about current QCD and RMD rules and how they apply to you
Questions? Please reach out to Rose Sandell at Rsandell(at)Skagitfisheries.org
Donating Stocks, Bonds, and Other Assets
Give Stock and Save on Taxes
Did you know a gift of appreciated stock, bonds, ETFs, or mutual funds can stretch your giving and lower your tax bill? Publicly traded securities held for more than one year are the non-cash assets most often donated to charity, and here’s why.
Why donate securities instead of cash?
If you itemize deductions, giving appreciated securities can multiply your impact in two ways:
- Avoid capital gains tax. If you sell the securities and donate the proceeds, you owe tax on the gain. Donating the securities directly can eliminate that tax, which may increase the amount available for charity by up to 20%.
- Claim a charitable deduction. You may deduct the fair market value of the securities for the tax year of your gift, and you can choose to put those savings toward even more giving.
We’d love to help you give in this way. Reach out to Alison Studley at astudley@skagitfisheries.org, and we’ll connect you or your broker with our financial advisor to find the best option for your gift.
Please note that the material presented on this website is intended as general educational information on the topics discussed and should not be interpreted as legal, financial, or tax advice. Please seek the specific advice of your tax advisor, attorney, and/or financial planner to discuss the application of these topics to your individual situation.
