GREATER EDWARDSVILLE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION   
-- YOUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 102
Edwardsville, IL 62025

ways to give

Gift Opportunities

The menu of gift options available through the Foundation offers a donor considerable flexibility in his or her charitable giving program.

Cash -- An unrestricted gift of cash is most convenient to the donor and provides the Foundation with the opportunity to respond to the immediate charitable needs of the area it serves. Donations of cash should be made payable to the Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation and will be promptly acknowledged for the tax records of the donor.

Stocks and Bonds -- A gift of appreciated securities can result in considerable tax advantage to the donor. In most cases, when such assets have been held for required period, the market value of those securities upon the date of the gift may be taken as the charitable deduction by the donor. As a result, the donor is relieved of the capital gain tax consequences of appreciation in value, and, at the same time, benefits from that appreciation because the deduction may be taken from the full market value upon date of the gift.

Bequests -- A bequest in a will or gift provision in a trust instrument provides an effective and convenient, yet, painless way to make a charitable contribution. Such a gift may also qualify for an estate tax deduction to the estate of the donor.

Life Insurance -- Gifts of life insurance can result in considerable leveraging of asset value. By naming the Foundation the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and assigning ownership of that policy to the foundation, the donor may receive an immediate income tax deduction, and, at the same time, insulate the policy proceeds from estate tax liability. Further, any subsequent premium payments made by the donor may be tax deductible as well. Life insurance offers the opportunity to make a sizable gift at relatively modest cost to the donor.