2019 Year-End Giving Season Resources

Thank you for your partnership with the San Francisco Foundation. It’s an honor to help you with your charitable goals and interests. We hope the following information is a useful reference as you plan your year-end giving. Please call our dedicated Donor Services Help Line at (415) 733-8590 or email us at donorservices@sff.org if you have any additional questions.

Important Year-End Giving Deadlines

• December 2, 2019: Recommended date to initiate gifts of securities or wire transfers.
• December 10, 2019: Recommend date to initiate an IRA Charitable Rollover.
• December 13, 2019: Grant recommendations due by 12:00 p.m. PST.
• December 31, 2019: This is the final date for charitable contributions to be tax deductible for 2019.

Your donor advised fund is a simple tool to help you meet your tax planning goals for this year. As you look at your charitable giving for the end of the year, please consider the following:

● All contributions into your fund receive the maximum income tax deduction allowed by the IRS.
● If you contribute long-term, appreciated securities (e.g., publicly traded stocks) to your fund, you qualify for an immediate income tax deduction equal to the full market value of the stock and you avoid paying capital gains taxes. It’s a great way to front-load your giving, receive an income tax deduction and have flexibility in when you support your favorite causes.
● If you have a private foundation that needs to meet its annual payout requirement, our foundation can offer ways to meet this obligation.

Make Gifts of Stock
Please notify us in writing when you plan to transfer a gift of securities. You can send a copy of the instructions you give to your broker ,to donorservices@sff.org , or fax to (415) 399-1610. The letter of instruction should include a description of the security (e.g., 50 shares of XYZ Inc. stock), the name of your fund and the name of the donor for tax purposes (e.g., living trust).

Please contact us at donorservices@sff.org for the account information to send your stock gift.

Contact donorservices@sff.org if you plan to donate mutual fund shares.

Grant Recommendations:
Please log in to our online portal, Donor Center, to easily make new or repeat grant recommendations.

Now is the time to connect with your family and community to make a difference in the lives of Bay Area families. Share these opportunities with your network and bring your children with you. It’s a great chance for them to learn about the importance of giving back to the community.

Please see our list of holiday volunteering ideas. The nonprofits will be so grateful for your time and support.

The IRA Charitable Rollover is a unique federal provision allows anyone 70.5 years or older to make an outright gift directly from their IRA to The San Francisco Foundation or other favorite charitable organizations of up to $100,000, without paying income tax on the distribution. See Detailed Giving Instructions.

Who can make a gift through the IRA Charitable Rollover?
Anyone with a traditional or Roth IRA who is 70.5 years old and above.

How much can be donated this way?
Up to $100,000 in 2019, no matter what your income is.

Can I donate to a foundation Donor Advised Fund this way?
Unfortunately, no. IRS rules do not permit IRA Charitable Rollover contributions to a DAF or private foundation.

• Permissible Contributions to the San Francisco Foundation:
  • Bay Area Leads Fund #8362
  • Hope SF Fund #8287
  • Rapid Response Fund #8396
  • Youth Access to Nature Fund #8358
  • SFF’s permanent endowment fund

If I make a gift from a traditional IRA, am I required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD)?
Yes, but you can use the IRA charitable rollover gift to meet all or part of this requirement.

Do I get a federal income tax deduction?
No, but you are not required to pay federal income tax on the withdrawal either. NOTE: Some states may not exclude gift amounts withdrawn from an IRA for state income tax purposes. Consult with your tax adviser.

Do gifts from other retirement accounts qualify?
Gifts from retirement accounts other than IRAs—such as 401(k), 403(b) and SEP accounts—are not eligible to make direct transfers. However, donors may be able to make qualified, tax-free transfers to their IRA, and then make the IRA charitable rollover gift. Consult with your adviser.

How do I make a gift to the San Francisco Foundation this way?

• Contact your retirement plan administrator well before the December 31 deadline to learn how to initiate the transfer. We recommend you do so by December 10.
• Instruct administrator to make distribution directly to the San Francisco Foundation or other favorite nonprofit with your name included in the check memo. The check or distribution should not come to you.
• Contact us or your other favorite nonprofit to alert us / them of your generous plans.

Want to learn more about this unique giving option?
Contact donorservices@sff.org.

We look forward to answering your questions, conducting research for you, and providing information on products, services, and programs that help support your charitable goals and interests.

We can help you:

• Develop a personalized giving plan and engage your family in philanthropy
• Research, evaluate, and select nonprofit organizations, preserving your anonymity
• Connect you to like-minded individuals who share your philanthropic interests
• Donate a variety of complex assets and choose the best giving solution for your needs
• Establish funds for your children, grandchildren or employees
• Create a charitable legacy

Did You Know…
Do you need a Grant Recommendation Form?
Click here for our forms.