Ways to give

This information is provided solely as a courtesy to CCMH donors. The following information should not be construed as legal, accounting, estate planning, and/or tax advice.

Naming Opportunities

Naming opportunities are available for endowed funds, curatorships/other staff positions, buildings, rooms, facilities or other capital projects for which the CCMH has authorized construction or has approved for donor recognition, memorial, or other purposes. The CCMH is authorized to develop and revise lists of gift opportunities, with an indication of the amounts required for naming.

outright Gifts

Gifts of Cash

The CCMH accepts cash in any form including currency, personal checks, money orders, credit cards, and wire transfers. Cash gifts are accepted by the CCMH at any time, regardless of amount, and without prior approval. A cash gift can be made outright or may involve planned giving.

Gifts of Tangible Property

To determine whether to accept a proposed gift of tangible property, the CCMH considers: whether the proposed gift is related to its mission; the financial value of, and any potential liabilities associated with, the proposed gift; the costs associated with receiving, maintaining, or selling the proposed gift (including costs of transportation, insurance, maintenance, storage, care, appraisals, and taxes); any restrictions on the sale or use of the proposed gift; and whether, if appropriate, the proposed gift can be easily sold without significant cost. Unless stipulated by the donor and explicitly agreed to by the CCMH, the CCMH shall have sole discretion in making decisions about the retention, use, and disposition of tangible personal property donated to the CCMH.

Matching Gifts

The CCMH accepts cash from matching programs when applicable. The CCMH complies with all current IRS guidelines when accepting matching gifts. Donors should carefully review the policies set forth by the contributing matching program, as many programs do not permit the donor to receive tangible benefits on the full value of the gift.

IRA Charitable Rollover

If you are age 70½ or older, you may also qualify for an opportunity to transfer assets annually from your IRA to a charity, tax-free.

Planned Gifts

Bequests

The most common and flexible type of planned gifts, a bequest through your will or trust can be made in any amount. A bequest may allow you to make a significant gift to an organization you care deeply about without affecting your current finances. You may designate the CCMH as the recipient of a specific amount or a percentage.

Donors may promise future gifts to the CCMH by including a bequest provision in his or her will, trust, or estate plan, and/or by signing a Promised Gift Agreement. Bequests may be given to support general operations or for a specific purpose at the CCMH (donors should consult with the CCMH to ensure that the CCMH can carry out their wishes). Since bequests are made during the lifetime of the donor, they are revocable at any time. The donor retains full use and control of the property intended as a bequest gift. Types of bequests typically gifted by the CCMH include: cash, tangible personal property, securities, real property, and oil, gas, and mineral interests.

Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets

A donor can name the CCMH as beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k) or other qualified plan. Any residual left in the plan upon the donor’s death passes to the CCMH free of tax. As an alternative, a donor can elect to leave retirement plan assets to the CCMH through a will or revocable trust. Donors should consult their financial and/or tax advisor when considering making a gift of retirement assets.

Gifts of Securities

The CCMH accepts both publicly traded securities and readily marketable securities, including stocks and bonds. The CCMH accepts closely held securities upon approval by the CCMH’s Finance Chair. Both publicly traded securities and closely held securities generally will be sold upon receipt unless otherwise decided by the CCMH’s Finance Chair. The CCMH will not accept options and other rights in securities. The value of a gift of stocks or bonds is taken from the high and low average on the day that the gift transacts. The CCMH will consider various factors in deciding whether to accept closely held securities, including, but not limited to: legal and/or contractual restrictions on resale, transfer, or liquidation and company policy on the same; value of the proposed gift (potentially obtaining an independent appraisal); expectations of marketability; tax consequences; the nature of the company’s business; and any potential exposure to liability of any kind. The CCMH's Finance Chair must provide advance approval for all gifts that the donor proposes to pay using closely held securities.

Other Types of Gifts

Life Income Gifts

Life income gift arrangements can provide an immediate tax deduction as well as an income stream for life for you and/or another beneficiary, while also making a contribution to the future of the CCMH.

gifts from trusts

A donor may name the CCMH as a beneficiary of all or a portion of a trust. Additionally, the CCMH may accept a designation as income beneficiary of a charitable lead trust. The CCMH will not serve as trustee of trust agreements and instead encourages donors to use a professional fiduciary.

Gifts of Real Estate

A gift of a highly appreciated residence, vacation home, or investment property can be arranged to produce maximum tax benefits for you while providing meaningful support for the CCMH. The Center can work with you and your advisor on a variety of gift structures, whether in your lifetime or as a bequest.

The CCMH accepts gifts of residential, business, commercial or undeveloped real estate on a case-by-case basis. Such gifts must adhere to all state and federal laws, including EPA regulations. The donor shall be responsible for obtaining and paying for an appraisal by an independent, qualified state-certified or licensed appraiser to determine fair market value of the property. Prior to consideration of a gift of real property, the CCMH may order a site inspection and environmental audit of the property, in cooperation with the donor and a third party inspector.

In determining whether to accept such gifts, the CCMH will review all potential benefits and burdens associated with the proposed gift and evaluate: the value of the property; whether there are any financial, environmental, or other liabilities that would be required to be assumed upon acceptance of the proposed gift; the costs of carrying the property, including, but not limited to, insurance, property, taxes, and maintenance; whether the property would be useful to the CCMH; whether the property would be readily marketable; whether the property is subject to any liens, easements, restrictions or other limitations; and whether the gift is a straightforward outright conveyance of a fee simple interest or whether the gift is encumbered by any other interest (e.g. a gift of a remainder interest or a gift of real estate to a charitable remainder trust).

Other Beneficiary Designations

Beneficiary designations are among the easiest and most flexible ways to support the CCMH through your long-term plans, and typically do not require changing your will, trust, or other existing estate plan. In addition to your retirement or deferred compensation plan, many other types of financial accounts such as health savings accounts, commercial annuities, and certificates of deposit, will allow you to name a beneficiary or to change the account structure to “payable on death” or “for the benefit of.”

Donor Advised Funds

Donor advised funds often provide the opportunity to make recommendations regarding the distribution of any remaining fund balance in the event of one’s death. You may be able to name one or more charities as beneficiaries or to recommend future distributions to certain charities. Your fund administrator can provide more information.

The CCMH accepts cash from donor-advised funds and private foundations. The CCMH complies with all current IRS guidelines when accepting gifts from donor-advised funds.

Life Insurance Policies

Naming the CCMH as a beneficiary of your life insurance is a simple way to leverage your policy into a meaningful gift. For more information, contact your policy administrator.

Donors may designate the CCMH as the named beneficiary and irrevocable owner on the donor’s life insurance policy. The full amount received upon donor’s death will be reported as an estate gift on the date that the proceeds are delivered. Alternatively, a donor may transfer ownership of a fully-paid insurance policy to the CCMH, provided that the terms of the policy allow. The CCMH must be assigned as both an irrevocable beneficiary and owner of the policy before it can be recorded as a gift. In such case, the insurance policy must be a whole life, universal, or “permanent life” policy with a cash surrender value. The CCMH cannot accept a gift of term life insurance with no cash surrender value.

We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor, attorney, or other trusted professionals to know if a giving option is right for you.