Cash: Cash is the simplest and most efficient way to make a gift to Benton Community Foundation. Cash gifts can be made in honor of or in memory of a person, event, or organization: Cash gifts can be used to start a fund, to add to an already-existing fund. Any size gift can leave a lasting legacy to the community.

Securities: The transfer of appreciated securities is one of the most popular ways of giving to a community foundation. When using securities as a gift, you may take a charitable deduction on your income taxes for the full market value of the securities as of the date of the gift. You also avoid the payment of capital gains taxes on the sale of the securities.

Real Estate: A gift of real estate provides the same advantages as a gift of securities.

Life Insurance: You can name the Community Foundation as owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy that has served its original purpose. You may be entitled to an immediate tax deduction in the amount of the cash value of the policy and a deduction for the premiums paid thereafter. Upon your death, the full face amount of the policy will pass to the Foundation free of estate taxes.

Individual Retirement Accounts: IRAs and other retirement plans may be used for charitable purposes. This is done by naming the Community Foundation as the beneficiary of the IRA with a fund agreement that specifies how the remainder of the IRA is to be used once it is received by the Foundation. This type of gift can result in large income and estate tax savings, especially if the IRA was established with pre-tax dollars.

Bequests and Devises: In your will or living trust, the Community Foundation may be granted a specific bequest of personal property (cash, securities, or other readily-marketable property) or a devise of real property. It can also be named as the residuary beneficiary of your estate.

Giving Circles: Giving circles are groups of individuals - perhaps a group of mothers and daughters, neighbors, work colleagues - who pool their charitable resources to make a greater impact on the community than a single, isolated gift might make. Members usually make a multi-year agreement to contribute a specific amount of money to the collaborative and make agreements as to the level of management involvement they will assume within the group. Benton Community Foundation staff can assist giving circles with their organization, investment strategy, and grant making to address identified community needs.

Charitable Gift Annuities: A charitable gift annuity is a one-time donation of cash, securities, or real estate in exchange for a fixed payment each year for the rest of the life of the annuitant and his/her spouse. A portion of the value contributed qualifies for the income tax charitable deduction. After the death of the annuitants, remaining annuity assets are retained by the Foundation for charitable purposes, including for the purpose of setting up one of the various types of funds provided by the Foundation. The Benton Community Foundation administers several existing CGAs.

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