Make a Contribution to Your Fund

Making a contribution is the first step in turning your philanthropic goals into action. At Greater Houston Community Foundation, we make it easy to give in ways that align with your intentions—whether you are contributing cash or noncash assets, such as appreciated stock, real estate, or business interests. With a straightforward process and flexible options, you can fund your charitable giving with confidence, knowing your contribution will support the impact you want to achieve.

DonorSphere: Gifts are generally posted to your fund within 2-3 business days from date received and will be reflected online under the Contribution History section of the Activity tab.

Gift Instructions: Click here to find our gift instructions. Please notify the Donor Services Department or your Philanthropic Advisor regarding any incoming gift.

Gift Acknowledgement: All charitable gifts above $250 will receive a tax acknowledgment letter detailing the gift and gift date. Gifts below $250 do not require a tax acknowledgment letter, but you should retain your canceled check for tax purposes.

Charitable Gift Types

Checks

Checks are received and deposited daily. Fund designation should be listed in the memo line.

Wires & Stock

Please notify the Donor Services Department that gifts are to be expected. The following information is required to properly credit gifts to your fund.

• Name of fund to be credited
• Wire amount and/or number of shares and security to be expected

Greater Houston Community Foundation’s policy is to sell securities on the day of receipt, unless the Community Foundation has specifically agreed otherwise.

Wire and securities transfers do not always include enough information for us to identify the donor and designated fund. To ensure your gift is credited promptly, please notify the Community Foundation when you initiate a wire or securities transfer. Gifts received without prior notification may take longer to post to your fund.

Gifts of Stocks & Bonds

Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift. Some potential benefits include:

• Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated stock
• Receive a charitable income tax deduction

There are special rules for valuing a gift of stock. The value of a charitable gift of stock is determined by taking the mean between the high and low publicly traded stock prices on the date of the gift. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.

When gifting securities, please notify the Community Foundation of the number of shares, the security to be expected, and the name of the fund to ensure proper crediting of the proceeds. It is the Community Foundation’s policy to sell securities on the day of receipt, if possible. However, there may be times that securities may not be sold until the Community Foundation has identified their source and the fund’s allocation.

Gifts of Real Estate

Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to Greater Houston Community Foundation. Click here for the Real Estate Property Inquiry Form.

Potential Benefits:

• Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of real estate
• Receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the value of the gift

Your real property may be given to the Community Foundation by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. You may deed part or all your real property to the Community Foundation. Your gift will generally be based on the property’s fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.

Types of Property:

• Mortgaged Property: Please contact us if the property you wish to give has existing debt or a mortgage. Indebtedness can affect your charitable tax deduction.
• Difficult Property Gifts: Certain properties pose challenges. We have adopted policies to limit the acceptance of certain kinds of real estate. Please check with us before making a gift of real estate so we can explain our gift acceptance policies.
• Capital Gains Tax: Check with us on the capital gains tax implications of your real estate gift. You may also be interested in life income options.

Gifts of Retirement Assets

Consider donating part or all your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, to help further our mission. Some potential benefits include:

• Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets
• Your heirs could avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis
• Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction

Did you know that 60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to the Community Foundation. As a charity, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.

Gifts of Cash

A donation by check, wire, or ACH is a simple and easy way for you to make a gift and receive a charitable income tax deduction. Postmark by December 31 to help ensure your charitable gift qualifies for a tax deduction in that year—even if it’s received after the new year.

Gifts of Insurance

A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a gift to the Community Foundation. If you have a life insurance policy that has outlasted its original purpose, consider making a gift of your insurance policy to the Community Foundation. For example, you may have purchased a policy to provide for minor children, and they are now financially independent adults. Some benefits may include:

• Receive a charitable income tax deduction.
• If the Community Foundation retains the policy to maturity, you can receive additional tax deductions by making annual gifts so that we can pay the premiums.
• If the Community Foundation cashes in the policy, you will be able to use the proceeds to recommend grants from your DAF.
• If the Community Foundation retains the policy to maturity, or you name us as a beneficiary, once the policy matures, the proceeds of your policy will be paid to our organization so that we can use the proceeds to further charitable work.

To make a gift of life insurance, please contact your life insurance provider, request a beneficiary designation form from the insurer, and include the Community Foundation as the beneficiary of your policy.

You can also designate the Community Foundation as a partial, full, or contingent beneficiary of your life insurance policy. You will continue to own and can make use of the policy during your lifetime. Your estate may benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction. Your deduction for the gift of life insurance will depend on whether the policy has increased in value above the premiums and whether the policy is paid up or there are remaining payments to be made.

More Helpful Resources: 

• • How to Donate Business Interests Strategically
  • Guide to Donating Retirement Assets
  • Giving Stock or Cash? A Strategic Guide to Charitable Giving
  • Guide to Charitable Remainder Trusts
  • Guide to Donating Illiquid Assets