Cash, Check or Money Order
Cash is still the most popular way to give, and a cash gift could actually cost you much less at tax filing time if you itemize deductions on your return.
Appreciated Stock
If you own appreciated shares of stock that you have held for more than one year, it is often more tax-wise to contribute stock than cash if you itemize deductions on your return. This is because gifts of appreciated stocks generally offer a two-fold tax saving. In addition to receiving an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of your appreciated security, you save a second time by avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation of the stock.
Life Insurance
You could purchase a new policy or donate a policy that you currently own but no longer need. To receive a deduction, designate the Foundation of choice as both the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy. If the policy is paid in full, your charitable gift is generally the replacement value or cost basis of the policy, whichever is less. Ongoing premiums paid on a gifted life insurance policy also qualify for charitable deductions. Check with your insurance agent for details.
Real Estate
A residence, vacation home, farm, acreage, or vacant lot may have appreciated in value through the years and its sale results in a sizeable capital gains tax. By making a gift of this property instead, you avoid the capital gains tax while receiving a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property.
Bequest
We can be named as a beneficiary in your will in any one of a number of simple ways. An outright gift, either a designated dollar amount or percentage of your estate, could be specified. We could also be named as a remainder beneficiary to receive funds only after specific sums have been paid to individual beneficiaries. It may be helpful to know that you can easily add us to your will through an amendment to your will called a codicil; thus your entire will does not have to be redrafted.
Memorial/Honor Gift
A memorial/honor gift is a meaningful way to honor someone you love or admire. Such a gift is appropriate when someone has given birth, passed away, celebrated a special occasion, or done something that deserves recognition. Very often, patients make a gift to express gratitude to a physician, nurse or staff member who has taken care of them.
If you make a memorial/honor gift to one of our Foundations, we will send the family or honoree notification of the gift. All memorials and honorees are listed annually in our publication and on our Donor Walls located inside Divine Providence Hospital and Williamsport Regional Medical Center.
Giving For Income
Many of us delay making a generous philanthropic gift until death because it's important to maintain income during our lifetime. But did you know that you can make a charitable gift of an asset now and often attain a higher income from that property? We call it a "life-income gift" - the gift that pays you back. Read More
We would be pleased to provide you with more information and assist in
any way as you consider making a gift. Our assistance is given without
obligation and is completely confidential. Please call the Susquehanna
Health Foundation office at 570-320-7460.