Maximizing Your Impact: How to Donate 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 Donor Advised Funds at Greater Houston Community Foundation (Foundation). Elevate your charitable giving experience and make a lasting impact through the gift of property.

Benefits

• Potentially avoid paying long-term capital gains tax on the sale of real estate.
• Eligible to claim a charitable income tax deduction based on the property’s fair market value in the year of the gift.

How It Works

Types of Property*

• Residential Properties: single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses
• Commercial Properties: office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses
• Vacant Land: undeveloped land, agricultural land, raw land for potential development
• Rental Properties: multi-family residences, apartment buildings
• Special-Use Properties: properties with unique functions (e.g., churches, schools, community centers)
• Real Estate Investment Holdings: real estate investment trusts (REITs), real estate partnerships
• Industrial Properties: manufacturing facilities, distribution centers

*Specific properties may present challenges, and we recommend checking with us before making a gift to understand our gift acceptance policies thoroughly. If the property involves existing debt or a mortgage, your charitable tax deduction may be impacted.

Greater Houston Community Foundation is your trusted philanthropic partner, ready to navigate complexities and maximize the impact of your contribution. Connect with us to streamline the process and enhance the effectiveness of your philanthropy.

Rooted in Values: How Gifting Land Can Create Lasting Impact

With over 2 million farms in the United States, you likely have clients who own farm property. This is an asset that carries emotional significance and complexity and it’s crucial to understand the tax implications and estate planning strategies surrounding farmland. For these reasons, it’s important to explore the benefits of gifting real estate, such as a ranch or farmland, to Greater Houston Community Foundation and how it can help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals while minimizing tax liabilities. Greater Houston Community Foundation and how it can help your clients achieve their philanthropic goals while minimizing tax liabilities.