be.group foundation works with donors to create a gift-giving experience that matches their charitable interests with the needs of our residents and clients. Gifts can either be designated for specific areas of need or made without restrictions, in which case your gift will be used to address be.group’s highest-priority objectives. You also may make a gift to honor or memorialize a loved one.

In addition, be.group foundation offers a number of planned giving options—including charitable gift annuities and remainder trusts—that provide financial benefits to you and/or the person you’re supporting while offering significant tax savings. By making a multi-year pledge with payments spread over as many as five years, you can enjoy investment income on your donation at a rate of return—depending on the type of planned gift you select—that can be higher than many money-market accounts. The foundation receives the donated assets at a point in the future, often after the donor has earned a lifetime income.

The following sections outline in more detail some of the designated and unrestricted gift-giving options that you and your family may wish to consider:

Gifts of Cash

Outright gifts of cash can be paid to the foundation by check, credit card or electronic transfer and can be directed to the project, campaign or program of your choice. The gift can be given in your name, anonymously or in the name of a loved one. As the donor, you will receive an appropriate tax credit.

Gifts of Appreciated Securities or Property

Contributing stock or other appreciated assets such as real estate or art can actually increase the value of your gift, as you are able to deduct the full fair market value of the donated asset. Gifts of real estate can include your primary residence, vacation home, commercial property or undeveloped land. You also can donate artwork, jewelry or other items of value.

be.group foundation is pleased to accept such gifts after a simple evaluation to determine that there are no restrictions on selling the property. Real property can be donated either as a current gift or as part of a planned giving commitment.

Bequests

A bequest is the simplest type of planned gift and one of the easiest to implement. You can leave a gift to be.group foundation by including it in your will or estate plan. Bequests can transfer a specific item, dollar amount or percentage of your estate and can be directed to the philanthropic area of your choice.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity is a simple agreement between you and be.group foundation in which you make an irrevocable donation of cash, stocks or property. In return, you receive a lifetime guaranteed income and a charitable tax deduction for a portion of your gift. The annuity amount—a fixed monthly or quarterly payment—is generally determined by your age. The amount remaining at the end of your life will then be used to benefit be.group.

Some residents ask that the remainder of their annuities be used to help fellow residents who have depleted their resources, while others wish the money to be directed toward areas of greatest need. Payments can be made by check or through direct deposit to your bank account on a monthly or quarterly basis.

There are many benefits—to you and to the larger be.group community—of a charitable gift annuity. These investments generally pay a higher interest rate than either a certificate of deposit or money market account. Moreover, the return rate is fixed, which helps to protect you from unpredictable fluctuations in stock values or real estate prices. With a gift annuity, you receive a guaranteed income while ensuring that be.group foundation can better plan and meet its fund-raising objectives, now and into the future.

The American Council on Gift Annuities meets periodically to determine and recommend appropriate annuity rates for all nonprofit organizations. These rates take into account the ages of annuitants and the current investment climate. For example, the length of an annuity for a 65-year-old is typically longer than for a 75-year-old; therefore the recommended annuity rate is higher for the latter. Please check with your be.group foundation representative for the rate that currently applies, as rates are subject to change.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

A charitable remainder trust enables you to transfer cash or property into one of two types of facilities: a charitable remainder annuity trust, which pays an annual fixed-dollar amount; or a charitable remainder unitrust, which pays a fixed percentage of the trust’s value annually. You receive the interest income from the trust and also benefit from a substantial tax saving based on the value of the funds placed in the trust. Further tax savings result when the trust is funded with appreciated assets.

A charitable remainder trust offers additional benefits. For example, a trust can turn an appreciated asset—typically stock or property—that is producing little or no income into a more productive investment. Although you donate the asset to be.group foundation, you continue to receive income from that asset during your lifetime. After a specified period of time, be.group or your community then receives the principal. You avoid capital gains tax on the donated asset and receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the remainder interest earned by the trust. This gift also reduces subsequent estate taxes by removing the asset from your estate.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Life insurance is a valuable but often overlooked gift option. You may have bought insurance as part of an overall financial or estate plan. But as your life circumstances change, the need for such insurance may diminish, leaving you with a valuable asset that can be used as a charitable donation. The gift of a fully paid policy can provide tremendous benefits to be.group foundation and to your financial and tax portfolios.

Gifts from Your IRA

Individuals who are over 70 are eligible to deduct annual distributions from their retirement accounts, with the proviso that these funds will be added to your adjusted gross income and are therefore not tax-exempt. With a charitable IRA rollover, you can directly donate to be.group foundation from an account without incurring taxes.

Donate Your Car

If you have a car you no longer need, consider donating it to be.group. Donors receive a tax deduction for te full value of the vehicle when we can use it for be.group purposes, or for the value we receive if it’s sold. be.group can accept vehicles in good operating condition with a Kelly Blue Book private sale value of $1,500 or more. It also must be clear of any liens and have a clean title.

The Legacy Circle

The Legacy Circle recognizes donors whose generosity and foresight will ensure be.group’s ability to meet the needs of our residents and clients for years to come. Membership is open to all individuals who make planned gifts, regardless of the amount or type of donation.

Legacy Circle members receive the following benefits:

• a commemorative gift in appreciation of your support
• inclusion in be.group foundation’s Honor Roll of Donors
• an exclusive invitation to our annual Legacy Circle reception.