Each year, 1 out of every 4 families in Geauga County face situations that place them in need for services available through Geauga United Way or one of our partner agencies. These services can be provided for one reason and one reason alone-because of the generosity of our contributors.
By contributing to our annual campaign, you can be assured of a number of things--that your gift will make a positive impact on the community, that your gift will allow us to continue to offer valuable programs and benefits to those in crisis and that your gift by bettering our community is an investment in your community.
Giving is easy-it can be done by way of direct donation, payroll deduction, planned giving or if you wish, from your stock portfolio. Whichever method you choose, you know that your gift is sincerely appreciated.
Pledge form
Individual gift or payroll deduction forms can be downloaded or requested through Geauga United Way Services.
Planned giving
Have you asked yourself the following questions:
- Have you created an estate plan that secures the future for you and your family?
Have you included charitable giving in your estate plan?
Do you have a will?
- Does your will need to be updated?
Gifts through wills and estate plans are the single greatest source of financial support for the future of United Way. In fact, including a charitable gift in your will can benefit you, your family and United Way. If your estate is subject to federal estate tax, a charitable bequest to United Way can save your estate significant tax dollars. Each time an annual gift is lost, for whatever reason, United Way's ability to serve the community is adversely affected. A charitable bequest to United Way's endowment ensures that your leadership gift will continue in perpetuity. Let United Way help you by providing complimentary helpful information and guidance as you begin or refine your estate planning and charitable giving.
Donating Stock
When you donate marketable appreciated securities that you have held for at least one year, you not only give a lifetime gift to United Way, but you also may realize tax savings. You avoid the tax on the capital gains resulting from the increase in value of the securities. These taxes will have to be paid if you sell the securities for your personal benefit.
For federal income tax purposes, you can deduct the value of the securities on the date of contribution. The value of the contribution is the average of the high and low quoted selling price on the date the securities pass from your control.
Deduction for this type of gift is subject to an annual limitation of 30% of your adjusted gross income. Any excess can be carried forward for a period of five years. Contact your tax advisor to determine the amount of the excess that may be deductible in any carry-over year. Your gift will be acknowledged by United Way Services, indicating the valuation of your gift for tax purposes, which will also serve as your IRS receipt for tax-deduction purposes.
You can also realize tax benefits if your securities have depreciated in value. By selling your securities at their depreciated price and giving the cash from the sale to United Way Services, you can receive a charitable deduction for the cash donated and can claim a short- or long-term capital loss on the difference between your cost for the securities and the fair market value on the date you sold the security.
