A variety of giving methods are available to donors wishing to support the National Museum of the United States Air Force. We are happy to discuss any matter or opportunity available to you. State laws and updates to existing tax laws may alter the information presented here. Each donor is encouraged to consult with a personal financial advisor for a giving option best suited to meet personal goals and situations, and for the most up-to-date information available.

Planning a Gift

By carefully selecting the assets to be used in making a gift, you can achieve more than one objective. For most individuals, the primary reasons for making a contribution is to help accomplish a goal (i.e. for the capital needs of the Museum and to honor the men and women who have contributed to the legacy of the United States Air Force) and the personal satisfaction that is gained. While a tax benefit is rarely the primary motive for giving, wise donors should consider the opportunities made available through our government tax structure.

Cash and Checks

Cash contributions are the most helpful to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc because the funds can be applied immediately towards an intended project or program. It also provides the simplest method for computing the income tax benefit. Donors can make a more significant contribution when they consider spreading their gift over multiple years through a pledge (the Air Force Museum Foundation allows pledges to span up to five (5) years) thus over multiple tax years.

Securities

For some donors, giving appreciated stock to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. may actually be wiser than giving cash. Federal tax law offers special incentives for non-cash gifts of property, particularly if that property has appreciated in value.

Gifts of Appreciated Stock – the Benefits to You the Donor

• You can avoid capital gains tax by giving the stock directly to the Foundation. On the other hand, if you sell the stock yourself and then give the money, you will pay tax on the “profit” you made on the stock sale. Giving the stock directly to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. allows you to avoid this tax.
• Your charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes is based on the full fair market value of the stock on the date you make the gift.
• You receive credit from the Air Force Museum Foundation for the full fair market value of the stock, as of that day. The cost of the gift to you is only your original purchase price.The value of a gift that involves a publicly traded security is set at the mean (average) between the high and low price of the stock on the date you make the gift.

Business Giving

Under the current tax laws, a corporation may claim charitable deductions up to 10 percent of their pretax net income. If giving exceeds that amount, the gift may be applied towards tax payment over the next five (5) years. The maximum federal savings on such charitable gifts is 35 percent.

Matching Corporate Gifts

Many corporations have matching gift programs in which the company will match an employee’s membership dues payment or charitable gift to the Foundation. Where appropriate, donors are urged to forward the company’s matching gift form with their own contribution or pledge payment. In this instance, the Air Force Museum Foundation will give recognition to both you and your company for the added gift

Planned Gifts

Normally, gifts to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. are made within a five-year pledge period. However, you might consider making a “deferred gift” if you prefer to make a significant gift without losing current income or wealth from specific assets you own. This may involve establishing a simple trust to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. that benefits you (or your designated beneficiary), even for the rest of your life. [Example: in a Charitable Gift Annuity you can receive regular payments for life that may even exceed your current income.] The process can be far easier than you might imagine, however, the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. must approve all planned gifts before they take effect, but will do so according to established guidelines. We offer some simple examples below:

Wills/Bequests

Some thoughtful donors designate the Air Force Museum Foundation as the recipient of a specific dollar amount or a percentage amount of the residual of their estate. Others have made a similar provision through a revocable trust, or have established a separate trust by will, designating the Foundation as the remainderman (beneficiary of all or a portion of anything that is left after other designations are made). A charitable deduction may be available to your estate for any funds left to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. in this manner.

Charitable Gift Annuities

A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) is a contract between the donor and the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. Its funding is backed by the donor’s gift, and by the assets and good faith of the Foundation. In this instance, a donor transfers cash or publicly traded securities into an account in exchange for the Foundation’s agreement to pay the donor (and/or someone else chosen by the donor) a fixed income for life. The payout can be monthly, quarterly or annually and does not change over the lifetime of the annuitant (recipient). The principal (remainder of the donation) remains with the Air Force Museum Foundation upon the death of the annuitant. Generally speaking, you can receive an immediate tax benefit and have a portion of the lifetime earnings protected from ordinary income taxes as well.

Life Insurance

Under certain conditions, the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. accepts gifts of life insurance policies. Please know, however, that merely designating the Air Force Museum Foundation as a beneficiary on your policy does not constitute an immediate gift or tax deduction. Giving a fully paid-up policy qualifies for an immediate tax deduction, in most instances at the value of its replacement cost. The Air Force Museum Foundation does not readily accept limited whole-life or term insurance policies but we are happy to discuss this opportunity if you have an interest.

Summary

If you are like the rest of us, you have worked hard to accumulate your lifetime assets and you intend to preserve them carefully. When planning a charitable gift, you have every right to seek the maximum benefit with minimum erosion from unnecessary costs and taxes.

The US Government offers charitable incentives in our tax structure and allows you many opportunities to help us reach our goals while protecting or even enhancing your economic security and those within your family.

We trust you will enjoy personal satisfaction in helping The Air Force Museum Foundation accomplish its objectives, and that if we can help you achieve additional personal objectives we have done our job well too. For this reason, we pledge to help you in any way we can to get maximum benefit from your wonderful generosity.

If you are interested in learning more about ways you can consider giving to the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. please contact us through the Foundation Office at (937) 656-9258.