A planned gift for Vermont Public Radio can be an outright gift, a life income gift, or a charitable bequest, and it can be made during your lifetime or at the time of death. Some of the ways to make a planned gift include:

Giving stock to a charitable organization is a wonderful way to expand the amount you can afford to donate. If you have owned the stock for more than a year, you get a tax deduction for the gift, and you avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock. When you donate property, you can deduct the "fair market value," which is the average of the highest and lowest trading price for the stock on the day you make the transfer.

Example: If you purchased some stock many years ago for only $1,000, and it is now worth $10,000, an outright gift of the stock to VPR would result in a charitable contribution deduction of $10,000. In addition, there is no tax on the $9,000 appreciation in value.

If you own the actual stock certificates then you can simply fill in the form on the back of the stock certificate and give it the organization. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, you can ask your broker for assistance in the transfer. In order to take full advantage of the tax deduction, you will need to itemize your deductions. If you are donating a lot of shares, you could run into the limits on charitable giving. Essentially your deduction can't be higher than 30% of your adjusted gross income. Anything that you can't deduct in the first year can be carried forward for up to five years.

• Retta Huttlinger, Manager of Special Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4308 | 1-800-639-2192 x108
• David Warren, Manager of Special Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4388 | 1-800-639-2192 x 188
• Tere Gade, Director of Major Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4389 | 1-800-639-2192 x189
• Robin Turnau, V.P. for Development
  Email | (802) 654-4312 | 1-800-639-2192 x112

Retirement Plans make an excellent choice to fund a charitable gift to VPR upon your death. If you leave your traditional IRA, 401k, 403b or other qualified retirement plan assets to anyone other than your spouse, the individual beneficiary will have to pay income tax on the funds received. In some instances, if the estate is subject to estate tax, the combination of income tax and estate tax can amount to over 70% of the decedent's retirement account. By making VPR the beneficiary of your retirement plan, the full amount of your retirement assets will benefit VPR. In addition, it is so easy to name VPR as the designated beneficiary on the form provided by your employer. You can then leave other assets to your loved ones. Read about John and Carolyn Kueffner's gift to VPR.

The easiest and most common method of charitable planned giving is by means of a bequest in your will. A will is the legal expression of your wishes for the disposition of your property to take effect at death.

Beneficiaries (the heirs who receive the bequests) are the individuals and organizations especially important to you. Whether for the entire estate, or any portion of the estate, a fixed amount or a percentage of total assets, bequests are easy to make. Get more information and specific wording about bequests or read about Helen Eldred's gift.

With a charitable gift annuity a sum of money or certain other property is given to Vermont Public Radio in return for fixed annual payments for you (and your spouse, if you wish). Gift annuities are especially attractive for older persons, since payments are larger for people at older ages.

If you have property (such as securities or real estate) which have increased in value, consider using it to fund a charitable gift annuity. The capital gains taxes which would be due if the property were sold can be deferred, or partially avoided, provided you have owned the property long enough for it to qualify as long-term property. An income tax deduction is allowed in the year the gift is made. It is based on the age(s) of the person(s) receiving the income, the frequency of payments, and other factors. Read about Patricia and Ray Harwick, VPR donors who chose to give through a charitable gift annuity.

You can make a gift today and retain annual income for the remainder of your life or another period of time you choose through the use of charitable remainder trusts and other similar gift plans. These plans also yield an income tax deduction in the year the gift is completed. They may be used effectively in planning for retirement, caring for the elderly, or providing funds for educational expenses for children, grandchildren, or other loved ones. Read about Thea Platt's gift.

A gift of life insurance can provide a significant charitable deduction. You could purchase a new policy or donate a policy that you currently own but no longer need. To receive a deduction, designate VPR as both the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy. Consult with your insurance agent for the details.

Example: You own a $100,000 life insurance policy with a current cash value of $34,582. By transferring the policy to us as the new owner and beneficiary, you receive a current charitable deduction of $34,582. If you decide to continue paying the premiums on the policy after the gift is made, these additional premium payments will be tax deductible each year.

A residence, vacation home, farm, acreage, or vacant lot may have so appreciated in value through the years that its sale would mean a sizable capital gains tax. By making a gift of this property instead, you would avoid the capital gains tax, and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property.

For additional information about including Vermont Public Radio in your estate plans please contact:

• Retta Huttlinger, Manager of Special Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4308 | 1-800-639-2192 x108
• David Warren, Manager of Special Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4388 | 1-800-639-2192 x 188
• Tere Gade, Director of Major Gifts
  Email | (802) 654-4389 | 1-800-639-2192 x189
• Robin Turnau, V.P. for Development
  Email | (802) 654-4312 | 1-800-639-2192 x112

You are encouraged to consult your own legal and financial advisors concerning charitable gift programs and your personal financial and estate plans.