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GIVING TO CLARION

Donor Report

Why Do People Give?

How Do People Give?

Cash

Securities

Real Estate

Personal Property

Life Insurance

Wills or Bequests

Life Income Gifts   MAKE A GIFT NOW!

Giving Opportunities for Businesses and Corporations - EITC

Clarion University depends on the generous and faithful gifts of our alumni and friends. Every gift is important to us.  We appreciate our volunteers who provide time, energy and expertise. These gifts are valuable, and we cherish them. But there are other gifts we appreciate as well, monetary gifts that fuel the engines of maintenance, administration, program development and other mission- related needs. These gifts include annual, special, and planned gifts.

Annual GIfts

Every year, Clarion University Foundation, Inc. receives contributions from nearly 6,000 individuals and organizations who support our ongoing work. Annual gifts comprise the backbone of our development program, and we depend on them to meet our daily obligations. For the most part, annual gifts are funded with cash out of a person’s monthly income.  Donors contributing $1,000 or more annually are included in Clarion's prestigious 1867 Circle.

Special Gifts

As a growing and vital organization, we seek to raise additional funds for building expansion, endowment growth and other special projects and purposes. We challenge our donors to make a larger gift, something beyond their annual gift amount. Such gifts may come from savings or brokerage accounts and represent a significant commitment. While the number of donors making special or major gifts may be smaller than the number of annual donors, these generous gifts are extremely important.

Planned Gifts

These gifts are in a class by themselves. They are sometimes made during life and sometimes at death, as in the case of a bequest. Most often, they involve non-cash assets, such as real estate, business holdings or other estate assets. A planned gift calls for careful consideration and usually requires the assistance of professional advisors. Planned gifts represent a smaller but highly committed group of donors. We are able to provide assistance to help these friends complete their “dream gifts.”

Why Do People Give?

There are many reasons people make charitable gifts in support of Clarion University.  A person who has a large tax liability may make a year-end gift to ease the tax burden. Another person may give to create a charitable trust and gain a lifetime flow of income at a respectable rate. Another person may be influenced to give by a fellow alumnus, friend or family member. And still someone else may give out of a sense of loyalty or duty.

But the overwhelming reason people provide financial support for Clarion University is because they believe in our university and want to help us fulfill our mission.  Most of our donors would agree that they would like to know they have contributed to making Clarion a better place for future generations.

How Do People Give?

The following list provides an outline of various giving options and the attractiveness of these opportunities.  We offer it in hope that you discover an opportunity to make a gift that makes a difference.

Gifts of Cash

• Simple, easy to deliver.
• $1,000 cash gift for individual in 28% tax bracket has a net cost of $720.
• Cash gifts are deductible up to 50% of AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) and can be carried over for up to five years.

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Gifts of Property*

Long Term Capital Gain Securities (held one year or longer) 

• Include common and preferred stock, corporate bonds and mutual funds.
• Donor escapes any potential capital gains tax on the gift property.
• Donor escapes any sales commissions payable upon the sale.
• The full fair market value of the asset is deductible up to 30% of AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) and can be carried over for up to five years.
• Rules governing the process are not complicated, but are strict.

Real Estate 

• Gifts could include a residence, land or other real property.
• Potential gift property must have use or fits needs of the charity.
• Appraisal is required.
• Generally the full fair market value of the property is deductible up to 30% of AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) and can be carried over for up to five years.
• Property must have clean title and no environmental concerns.

Personal Property 

• Gifts could include items such as art, books, paintings, antiques, coins, stamps, etc.
• Potential gift property must have use or fits needs of the charity.
• Appraisal may be required.
• Generally the full fair market value of the property is deductible up to 30% of AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) and can be carried over for up to five years.

*It would be more beneficial for donors considering gifts of property that have declined in value to 

sell the  property, realize a deductible loss and then contribute proceeds to charity.

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Life Insurance 

• As a deferred gift, a donor can name Clarion University Foundation, Inc. as the primary or the successor beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
• A donor can transfer ownership of an existing policy and receive a charitable deduction based on fair market value of the policy or the cost basis (paid premiums), which ever is less, at date of transfer.
• Ownership of a policy is transferred upon endorsement by the donor on forms supplied by the insurance company.
• Donors can also claim charitable deductions by continuing to pay premiums on policies that are not paid up in full. 
• Life Insurance can be used as a wealth replacement plan, to replace other contributed assets and ensure wealth is passed to family.

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Bequests 

• The most traditional way to accomplish a gift objective, not possible during a donor’s lifetime.
• Bequests are not included when determining the value of an estate and may lower estate taxes.
• Options include a specified amount, a percentage, or a portion of the residual after specified amounts to other beneficiaries.
• If a will has already been completed and is up to date, a codicil can be used to make additional bequests.
• Donor can ensure annual contributions with a bequest:

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Life Income Gifts

Allow donors to make a substantial gift while still providing for personal financial needs.

Unitrust

• Payments to beneficiaries vary as they equal a fixed percentage (at least 5%) of the value of the trusts assets calculated annually.

• Percentage is agreed upon by donor, charity, legal and financial advisors.
• Make up provisions can be included.
• Lower rate – achieves a higher charitable deduction, a higher rate – a lower charitable deduction.
• Funding with appreciated assets can increase tax benefits.
• Term can be for life or a specified number of years, not to exceed 20.
• One or more beneficiaries
• Additions to the trust can be made.

Annuity Trust

• Different from Unitrust in that payment to beneficiaries is a fixed amount for the term of the trust offering a more secure income.

Charitable Gift Annuities ***

• A simple contract between donor and charity.
• Provides a guaranteed life income for one or two people.
• A portion of income is tax free.
• Generates a return significantly greater than traditional investments.
• Income is determined by the age of the beneficiaries receiving income.
• Provides income tax deductions.
• Funding with appreciated assets can increase tax benefits.
• A deferred gift annuity offers the deferral of income to achieve a higher rate or return.

***States vary in requirements for organizations offering gift annuities to residents; therefore,

we are not able to offer this opportunity to all of our constituents.

We value and appreciate every single one of our donors, no matter what type or level of gift they give.  To learn more about giving to Clarion University Foundation, Inc., please

call 814-393-2572; e-mail us at giving@clarion.edu.

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