Donating Stock

Gifts of appreciated stock transferred directly to the Academy may have extra tax savings. When securities have increased in value, you should normally give them directly rather than sell them and give from the proceeds. When owned for more than a year, securities to fund a gift can be considered a charitable deduction at full fair-market value, not just their original cost. Giving in this way also enables you to bypass capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if the donated securities were sold. If you own securities that have decreased in value since you have owned them, consider selling those securities and making a charitable gift of the proceeds. In addition to a deduction for the cash contribution, you may claim a loss that is deductible for other taxable income. Find out more about donating securities to the Academy.

Bequests

Bequests are the most popular type of deferred gift. You can include a gift in your original will or revocable living trust or add one later by an amendment. The gift can be for a specific amount of money, specific piece of property or a percentage of your estate. Once family, friends and other loved ones are cared for, the Academy can find a place as part of your life’s legacy. The following is sample bequest language to share with your attorney:

“I give and devise to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Tax ID #23-1352000), located in Philadelphia, PA, the sum of $___________ to be used for its general support (or for the support of a specific fund or program).”

Retirement Plan Assets

You can designate the Academy as the beneficiary of your IRA or other retirement assets such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans and the Academy will receive the funds upon your passing, or you can make outright gifts during your lifetime from these same assets that the Academy can use immediately. You can leave just a portion to the Academy or the entire balance. Retirement assets, such as a 401(k) and an IRA, can generate estate and income taxes, leaving little for your heirs. By designating the Academy as a beneficiary, you can potentially avoid these taxes while supporting natural science research and discovery.

Life Insurance Gifts

You might have a paid-up life insurance policy that you no longer need. You can make a gift by transferring the policy outright to the Academy or naming the Academy as a beneficiary, similar to retirement assets. Or you might think about taking out a new policy benefiting the Academy and receive tax benefits with each premium paid.

Charitable Gift Annuity

You make a gift to the Academy and in exchange receive income for life for you and/or a loved one. Not only is a gift annuity easy to arrange, but your payments are fixed in amount and backed by the assets of the Academy.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A charitable trust is another way to make a gift and receive income for life. It is more flexible in nature than a gift annuity and can allow you to meet different personal goals. Your payments can be either fixed or variable in amount.

Charitable Lead Trust

This trust arrangement allows you to make current gifts to the Academy while passing your assets along to heirs sometime in the future, often with greatly reduced estate and gift taxes. It can also be arranged so that the remaining trust principal returns to you at the end of the trust term.

Contact Us

We would be delighted to talk with you about how you can support the Academy as well as achieve your own financial goals. For more information on the Academy’s Planned Giving program and other giving options, please contact Caitlin K. O’Brien, executive director of development, at 215-405-5079 or obrien@ansp.org.

There are no obligations, and all inquiries will be kept strictly confidential.

The official registration and financial information of the Academy of Natural Sciences may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.