Your contributions will help us continue to produce great local and national programs. There are many ways that you can make a charitable contribution to WBGU-PBS.
- Cash - charitable gifts are most often made by cash, check or
credit card. With a few exceptions, it you itemize your tax deductions, gifts of cash can eliminate or reduce tax on a portion of your adjusted gross income.
- Securities - making gifts of stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds in the right way can bring extra tax savings. When making such gifts, always consider what the securities originally cost in relation to what they are worth today. When securities have increased in value, it is a great time to transfer them to WBGU-PBS rather than sell them. Even if the securities have decreased in value, a cash gift after sell to WBGU-PBS can create attractive tax benefits.
- Other Assets - if you are over the age of 59 1/2, you may want to consider gifts using assets from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or similar tax-favored plan. With proper planning, most people can enjoy a charitable income tax deduction for the same amount as the gift. Such gifts can assure that these funds will not be subject to income or estate tax.
- Bequest - you can easily add language to your will that identifies WBGU-PBS as a beneficiary of your estate.
Wills and Living Trusts
You can make a gift (bequest) to a charitable organization through your will or living trust in the following ways.
- A percentage of your total estate -- in using this approach, your gift adjusts with changes in the size of your estate.
- The residue (or %) of your estate -- after your specific gifts to loved ones have been made, you may designate that the entire residue ( or %) of the remainder shall go to one or more charitable organizations. With this approach your gift adjusts with the changes in the size of your estate.
- A gift of a specific amount -- You specify a dollar amount to be given to one or more charitable organizations. With this kind of gift, it is especially important to keep your will or trust up-to-date.
Sample bequest language for your attorney:
" I give [ ________ % of my estate] / [the residue of my estate] / [ ___ %] of the residue of my estate [ $ _________ ] to WBGU-PBS, Inc. an Ohio nonprofit corporation, for its general uses and purposes. WBGU-PBS is currently located at 245 Troup Ave., Bowling Green Ohio 43403-0060."
Please let us know your plans
By informing WBGU-PBS of your gift, you help us prepare for the future and equally important you also give us the chance to thank you for your generous gift. To notify us of your interest, or for more information, email us at:
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Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity can be established with a gift of $10,000 or more to WBGU-PBS. In exchange for your gift, WBGU-PBS will pay you and a second beneficiary, if you wish, an income for life. Both income beneficiaries must be at least 65 years of age, unless payments are deferred.
The income you receive is determined by the amount of your gift and your age(s). With a deferred gift annuity the payments do not begin until a specified later date, that you choose, you receive even higher life income payments and a higher immediate income tax deduction.
Gift annuities can be established using cash or appreciated securities held for longer than one year. When cash is used, more of your income is tax free.
Your Benefits
- Generous, partially tax-free income for life.
- An immediate income tax deduction.
- Reduced capital gain taxes if appreciated securities are used to establish the annuity.
- Professional annuity administration.
- Membership in our Pinnacle Society.
- The satisfaction of making a significant contribution to the future of Public Broadcasting and WBGU-PBS.
For more information
To request a brochure on charitable gift annuities and/or to receive a personalized illustration of the financial benefits of establishing a charitable gift annuity, please email us at:
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Remainder Trusts
A charitable remainder trust lets you convert highly appreciated securities or real estate into income for life or a term of years without incurring a capital gains tax when the asset is sold. The appreciated asset is transferred into a irrevocable charitable remainder trust and is then sold by the trustee. The proceeds are reinvested and you (or designated beneficiary[ies]) receive income for life or a specified term of years. When the trust terminates, the remainder will be used by WBGU-PBS for endowment.
There are two types of charitable remainder trusts:
- Unitrust - The income you receiver is a set percentage of the value of the trust's assets, which is revalued each year.
- Annuity trust - Income payments are fixed and determined when the trust is set up. The Annuity trust is most attractive to individuals who wish to avoid market risk.
We would be pleased to discuss the possibility of WBGU-PBS serving as a trustee of your charitable remainder trust. Typically, WBGU-PBS serves as a trustee for charitable remainder trusts that name WBGU-PBS irrevocable beneficiary of $1000,000 or more; that have an appropriate payout rate; and whose life income beneficiaries are 65 or older.
We are always happy to consult with you and your advisor about the various charitable trust options and can provide computer modeling showing how the trust would work in your particular circumstances.
Your Benefits
- Income for life or a term of years.
- Potential for low-yielding assets to turn into more income.
- A significant income tax deduction.
- No capital gain tax at the time of the gift if appreciated assets are used to fund the trust.
- Potentially reduced estate taxes and probate costs.
- Professional, personalized investment management and trust administration.
- Membership in our Pinnacle Society.
For more information
To request a brochure on charitable remainder trusts and/or to receive a personalized illustration of the financial benefits of establishing a charitable remainder trust, please email us at:
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Charitable Lead Trusts
A charitable lead trust offers unique estate planning advantages. Income-producing assets such as stock or real estate are irrevocably transferred to a lead trust, which pays income to an organization such as WBGU-PBS for a number of years. Following the term of the trust, the property transfers back to other individuals, typically the donor's children or grandchildren, at reduced costs because any appreciation of the asset while it is in the lead trust is not taxed when transferred back. It is an excellent way to transfer to your heirs assets that are expected to appreciate in value.
A charitable lead trust is good for individuals who face substantial estate and gift tax liability. For more information about this highly specialized estate planning tool, call Doug Cameron at: (419) 372-7128 or email us at:
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Real Estate
Donating marketable real estate such as a personal residence or vacation home, commercial property, or even vacant land can be a creative way to make a significant gift to WBGU-PBS and at the same time receive important tax benefits and even income. The benefits include a charitable income deduction, avoidance of capital gain tax on the property's appreciation at the time the gift is made and removal of the property from your estate, potentially reducing estate taxes and probate costs. A gift of your real property can also relieve you of the burden of managing or selling the property. Real property gifts can be made in several ways.
- Outright Gift: Your benefits from an outright gift of real property would include an income tax deduction for the property's full fair market value; removal of the property from your estate and the reward of seeing your gift go to work for Public Broadcasting and WBGU-PBS.
- Charitable Remainder Trust: If you still need the income generated by the property, a charitable remainder trust may be a good solution. The property is irrevocably transferred into a trust, which pays income to you for life or a term of years. After that, the remaining principal goes to support the many WBGU-PBS programs you have enjoyed over the years. Additional benefits include a substantial income tax deduction in the year the trust is established and no capital gain tax at the time of the gift.
- Partial Interest Gift: If you are unable to donate the entire property, you may deed to WBGU-PBS an undivided partial interest. Or a charitable remainder trust may be funded with such a partial interest. Typically in both instances, the entire property is sold, with the proceeds being shared proportionally between you and WBGU-PBS (or the trust). Your charitable deduction for the gift portion can help offset the capital gain tax on your retained portion.
- Retained Life Estate: Give WBGU-PBS your personal residence, but retain the right to live in it for your lifetime. A retained life estate will give you an income tax deduction in the year you make the gift and the satisfaction of making an important gift during your lifetime.
- Bequest: You can make a testamentary gift of real estate through your will or trust.
For a personalized illustration of how a gift of real estate would work for you call Doug Cameron at: (419) 372-7128 or email us at:
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Stock
If your investment portfolio includes highly appreciated, low yielding stock or mutual funds and you're considering a membership gift to WBGU-PBS, you may want to think about making a gift of stock or mutual funds. It's a tax-wise way to support WBGU-PBS.
Gifts of appreciated securities held longer than one year are exempt from capital gains taxes and entitle the donor to a tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities at the time of the transfer.
To avoid exposure to capital gain tax, the stock must be transferred to WBGU-PBS. We then sell the stock from our account and you receive credit for a gift of the net proceeds.
To make a current gift of stock please call Doug Cameron at:
(419) 372-7128 or email us at:
Other creative ways of using your appreciated securities include making a current gift to the WBGU-PBS Endowment or establishing a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
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Retirement Plans
When retirement plans are passed onto heirs, they can incur as much as 80% in taxes because this asset faces double taxation. Not only is the amount of the plan reduced by estate taxes but the recipient must also pay income taxes on the plan.
If you plan to make a legacy gift to WBGU-PBS, you may want to consider naming us he beneficiary of your 401K, pension or other retirement plan and leaving other assets to you family. Naming us the primary beneficiary avoids all income and estate taxes on the retirement plan.
To make the designation, advise your plan administrator of your decision then complete and sign the appropriate form.
Please let us know your plans
By informing WBGU-PBS of your gift, you help us prepare for the future and equally important you also give us the chance to thank you for your generous gift. To notify us of your interest, or for more information, email us at:
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Life Insurance
Many individuals have life insurance polices whose benefits they no longer need. If this applies to you, consider naming WBGU-PBS as the beneficiary and assigning us ownership of the policy. In doing so, you will receive a charitable deduction and in removing the life insurance policy from your estate you may also reduce your estate taxes.
To request a brochure on charitable giving through life insurance or retirement plans call Doug Cameron at: (419) 372-7128 or email us at:
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