Giving Matters: Ways to Support Woodie Wheaton Land Trust

There are many different ways for you to help build the future at WWLT. When you make a gift to the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust, you have tremendous flexibility in determining how the funds will be used. Here are a few options for your consideration. Please consult with your tax advisor and contact us with any questions.

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Unrestricted Gifts‍

This type of gift can be the most valuable to WWLT because it allows the Trust to allocate funds wherever the need is greatest, and to take advantage of unique opportunities as they arise. All gifts received will be considered “unrestricted gifts” unless specifically designated otherwise.

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Directed Gifts

‍When you make a directed gift to WWLT, you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting a specific program or priority area that is personally meaningful to you. You can also designate your gift for current use or for endowment. Current use gifts provide funds and flexibility over the short term, whereas endowment gifts provide security over the long term by expanding the Trust’s permanent financial base and creating a predictable source of future income for such things as acquisitions or stewardship.

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Outright Cash Gifts

‍can be made through credit/debit card transactions, outright cash, or personal checks. When you make an outright gift to WWLT, your contribution can be put to work immediately–either providing funding for current programs or creating a reliable source of future income by expanding the Trust’s endowment.

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Non-cash Giving & Qualified Distributions

The WWLT can also accept non-cash gifts and qualified charitable distributions. Non-cash giving and gifts from retirement accounts may even have positive tax benefits for the donor (e.g. reported income reductions, itemized tax deductions, and lower capital gains taxes). Visit IRS.gov to learn more about charitable contribution deductions and consult with your tax professional to learn more about the benefits of non-cash giving.

Non-cash gifts may include:

• Stocks
• Mutual funds
• Securities
• Life insurance
• Qualified charitable distributions from retirement accounts

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Planned Giving‍

Planned gifts leave a lasting legacy by remembering the Trust in your estate plan. Deferred or planned gifts, including bequests, life-income plans and other options for your estate can potentially increase your income, earn valuable income tax deductions and reduce your estate taxes. Naming WWLT as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, with the proceeds offsetting an estate tax charitable deduction, and or specifying the Trust as a beneficiary of a 401K or IRA, offer a tax-efficient way to make a lasting contribution. As always, consult with your tax professional to learn more.

Some planned giving options include:

• Life Income Gifts
• Name WWLT as a beneficiary
• Charitable Lead Trust
• Assets
• Charitable Bequest

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Donating to the WWLT from your IRA:

A Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) is a tax efficient distribution that counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) that achieves three objectives:

• The amount counts towards your RMD
• Reduces your Federal and State Income Tax on the QCD portion of your RMD
• Directs the proceeds to your Charitable Organization (WWLT)

In addition to lowering your Federal and State Income Taxes, the QCD can also lower your Medicare income related surcharges and any potential Social Security benefit taxes. The proceeds from a QCD can only be directed from your financial services provider to a qualified charitable organization 501(c)(3). QCD’s cannot be directed from 401(k) and other employer related retirement accounts – only IRA’s are eligible.

Here’s a hypothetical example of a $50,000 RMD at 20% Federal Tax and 5% State Tax:

• $50,000 RMD would be added to your total income
• $10,000 Federal Taxes, $2500 State Taxes
• Net to you $37,500

Same as above with a $15,000 QCD from the RMD:

• $35,000 would be added to your total income
• $15,000 goes to Charity
• Remaining $35,000 is taxed at 20% Federal and 5% State
• Federal Tax is now $7,000, State Tax is now $1,750
• Net to you $26,250
• Tax Savings $3,750

You should discuss your financial situation with a qualified tax professional as well as your financial advisor to ensure that a QCD is in your best interest. QCD’s have an annual limit of $111,000 in 2026, and the minimum age to implement a QCD is 70.5 years old. Your financial services firm can work with you to complete a QCD, and it’s usually best to complete your QCD before December 1 st to ensure timely delivery of your donation.

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You can also make a donation online. Or, get involved by volunteering!

Interested in supporting our work? Please consider making a donation to the Woodie Wheaton Land Trust.