Planned Giving

Following is information about some of the available options for making a planned gift to Aspen Academy. There are many ways to contribute, and one or more may benefit your personal financial planning. We invite you to read on for more information, and to consider the various advantages of making a planned gift to Aspen Academy.

• Gifts of Cash: Cash (or credit card) gifts are one of the most popular forms of charitable gifts. As the donor, you are entitled to deduct the full amount of the contributed cash up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income. Any excess may be deducted over the five succeeding years, up to the 50 percent annual ceiling, until the deduction is exhausted.
   
• Gifts of appreciated securities: Gifts of appreciated securities held by the donor for more than one year provide two tax benefits: (1) no capital gains tax is imposed on the "long-term" appreciated gift portion, and (2) the donor is entitled to a charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities on the gift date.
   
• Real estate: A gift of real estate such as commercial property, a residence, a farm, timberland, or undeveloped acreage can provide significant benefits to Aspen Academy and the donor. A gift of unmortgaged real estate held for more than one year will generate an income tax deduction based on fair market property value at the gift date. The donor is not required to recognize any gain on the transfer to Aspen Academy. For gifts of real estate valued at $5,000 or more, the donor must obtain a qualified appraisal.
   
• Life insurance: Donors who assign ownership of a life insurance policy to Aspen Academy receive an immediate charitable deduction equal to the lesser of the donor’s basis or the policy’s net cash value. If the donor continues to pay premiums, he or she receives an additional deduction for amounts paid. When ownership of a life insurance policy is transferred to Aspen Academy as the sole beneficiary, gift credit will be given for either the donor’s basis or the cash value of the policy.
   
• Gifts of tangible property: You may own works of art, stamps, coins, or jewelry that you wish to donate. If you have owned this property for more than one year, and the property can be used by Aspen Academy to further its exempt purposes, you may claim a deduction for the full fair market value of the property on the date of the gift deductible up to 30% of your adjusted gross income.
   
• Charitable lead trusts: A lead trust is the mirror image of the life income gifts discussed below. A donor gives assets of $100,000 or more to an irrevocable trust for at least 10 years, during which time Aspen Academy receives a predetermined percentage of derived income. When the trust is terminated, all of assets, including any or all appreciation, revert to beneficiaries named by the donor.
   
• Bequests: A bequest is a gift to Aspen Academy under the donor’s will. It may be made for the general purposes of Aspen Academy or restricted for a specific use. A bequest to Aspen Academy is entitled to a federal estate tax charitable deduction, so it will not be subject to tax in your estate.
   
• Retirement plan assets: Retirement plan assets and assets held in individual retirement accounts are becoming a popular vehicle for charitable gifts at death. The gift is a simple one to make. Designate Aspen Academy as your successor beneficiary on the beneficiary designation/statement you may request from your plan or from the custodian of your IRA. 

If you share the vision of Aspen Academy and would like to speak with someone about making a donation, please call us at 303-346-3500.   To ensure maximum benefit for the donor and Aspen Academy, we advise that you speak with your attorney or tax advisor.