Ways to Give

Outright Gifts.

When you contribute cash or non-cash gifts outright today, you add directly and immediately to Institute on Aging’s current assets, helping us help others right now. Please make your check payable to Institute on Aging and mail it to us at 3575 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118.

Deferred Gifts.

By pledging a gift or a series of gifts for some future time, you may be able to contribute much more than with an outright gift. A bequest in your will or retirement plan, a charitable trust, gifts to Institute on Aging’s Pooled Income Fund or other deferred gifts offer the most possibilities for tax savings and additional income. In addition, you will have the pleasure of imagining how your gift will influence future generations. You may designate Institute on Aging as the sole, partial, remainder, alternate, or contingent beneficiary of your estate.

Unrestricted Gifts.

Your most valuable gift to Institute on Aging is the one that can be used wherever the need is greatest. When you make a contribution without restrictions, we have the flexibility to use your gift for the most pressing needs, thus ensuring the general excellence of all Institute on Aging programs and services.

Restricted Gifts.

If you wish, you may also target one or more of the Areas of Need we have identified as current priorities. Our staff is available to talk with you about how we might match your interests to our needs.

Memorials and Tributes.

When you designate a gift as a memorial or tribute to someone special in your life, we will send a hand-written note to the appropriate recipient. In addition to a gift that honors an Institute on Aging client, consider a tribute gift in the name of a family member or friend who has made sacrifices on the client’s behalf or to say thank you to a special physician, home care aide or other elder care professional.

Endowment Gifts.

Your gifts to Institute on Aging’s endowment are added to other contributions and responsibly invested by us. The interest income then becomes available annually to address the greatest needs at the time, while the principal remains intact. The more substantial the endowment, the greater the guarantee of Institute on Aging’s permanent financial integrity. Your gift for endowment allows us to fulfill our mission indefinitely, independent of fluctuations in governmental or annual philanthropic support.

Cash. 

Most people support Institute on Aging with outright gifts of money. All cash gifts qualify for income tax deductions, within limits determined by your income and current laws.

Vehicle Donation Program.

Donate your car to the Institute on Aging. It’s easy and tax deductible. Institute on Aging will take care of everything, from picking up your vehicle to providing all the paperwork for your taxes. It's as easy asfilling out the online donation form or picking up a phone and speaking to our friendly operators toll-free at 855-500-RIDE or 855-500-7433 seven days a week.

Real Estate.

Institute on Aging welcomes your gift of a personal residence or vacation home, farm or ranch, cooperative housing stock, commercial building or undeveloped land. The tax advantages are virtually the same as those for appreciated securities: no capital gains on your profit, and a deduction for the full fair market value of the property. In making such a gift, please send us the deed by registered mail, naming Institute on Aging as the new owner of the property.

Life Insurance.

If you have a policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, you may use this to replace assets for your heirs through a deferred gift. In some cases, however, the life insurance itself may have more immediate benefit to Institute on Aging. When you transfer a policy to Institute on Aging, or irrevocably name Institute on Aging as your beneficiary, your tax deduction will equal the annual premium for a new policy or the replacement cost for an older, paid-up policy. A gift of life insurance involves no major expense on your part.

Tangible Gifts.

You may designate Institute on Aging as the recipient of your jewelry, cars, boats, art, antiques or other valuable property that may be sold and the proceeds applied to our Areas of Need. Often, the same tax advantages apply as for gifts of securities or real estate. Check with Institute on Aging and your advisors on the feasibility and tax consequences of such a gift.

Gifts in Kind.

Our staff maintains a list of items that are needed to make our clients’ lives more comfortable, such as furniture, housewares, bedding, clothing, electronics, books, art supplies and medical equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs. All items should be new or only gently used.

Securities.

Highly appreciated stock with a low-cost basis makes the most valuable philanthropic gift, since it allows you to avoid the capital gain taxes you would pay on the appreciated portion of the shares if you sold them instead of giving them to Institute on Aging. Your tax deduction is based on the fair market value of the stock. If you contribute an appreciated stock that you have held for at least one year, the charitable deduction will equal the current value of the stock. If you contribute the value of stocks that have depreciated, it is generally advisable to sell them yourself first, to establish your loss for tax purposes and then claim a charitable deduction for the amount of the gift generated from the proceeds. Mutual fund shares or bonds that are held in your name may also finance your gift. Call Institute on Aging to talk about arrangements for valuation and transfer.

Privately Held Stock.

The IRS makes it difficult for the owner of a family business to give control of the business to heirs without major tax consequences. A charitable gift of closely-held stock is one legal way to transfer control of your business so that both your family and Institute on Aging will benefit. Such a gift does not deplete your checking account or diminish other personal investments. Call Institute on Aging for details and ask a specialist to determine the value of the stock.

We are honored to express our thanks to you for your generosity. People are often inspired to give—and to give even more generously—when they see that others have done so. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, just let us know.

Naming Opportunities.

By naming an Institute on Aging program or a space at 3575 Geary Boulevard, you create a lasting tribute to your family or perhaps to a cherished friend or elder care professional who has touched your life. The name of your choice will appear on an attractive plaque in an appropriate location.

Donor Wall. 

Cumulative gifts of $5,000 or more entitle the donor to permanent recognition on Institute on Aging's Donor Wall in the front lobby.

Printed Recognition.

Institute on Aging’s annual report includes a complete listing of all donors. Please be sure to enclose a note with your gift if you wish to be acknowledged in some way different than the name that appears on your gift check.

• Your cash position will not be affected even with a sizable gift of personal assets.
• You could save on capital gains taxes by giving an appreciated asset.
• If you give an asset that has grown substantially in value, you may be able to make a larger gift than with cash or a pledge.

Property or items that no longer have personal meaning to you make excellent non-cash gifts. Consider, for example, an inherited art collection or a vacation home that the family seldom uses. Alternatively, consider property that does have meaning to you; unlike assets made from income, a piece of property often has sentimental value that can add to your enjoyment of the giving.

No two non-cash gifts are alike. The method of transfer and the implications for the donor will vary. With this in mind, you will certainly want to talk with representatives of Institute on Aging about how to proceed. We can help you select the timing and structure for your gift to best meet your tax needs and your financial and philanthropic objectives. Please contact Institute on Aging for a confidential consultation on any non-cash gift.