additional ways to give

MOBILIZE THE POWER OF WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY BY MAKING AN IMPACT BEYOND CASH GIFTS

At the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee we believe in the power of women to galvanize positive change in our community. The data is clear — when women are engaged and empowered as philanthropists, donors, and decision-makers, we see remarkable impact.

Women’s funds like ours are at the forefront of this movement, pioneering innovative approaches to giving that create lasting, equitable change. We sit at the intersection of influence, with access to different tables that are local, connected and that value grassroots leadership — that’s why when women’s funds get involved, things happen.

Your support as a donor is vital to this movement. By directing your charitable giving to us, you are investing in systemic solutions that shift attitudes, behaviors and cultures to create a more just, equitable world for women, girls and gender-expansive individuals.

Join us in this transformative work. Explore the many ways you can get involved and make a difference through your estate plan.

MAXIMIZE YOUR IMPACT WITH GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES

Foster the power of women’s philanthropy by contributing more than just cash gifts. When you donate long-term appreciated securities, such as stocks or bonds, to the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, you’re not only embracing a smart financial strategy, but you’re also fueling our mission. This type of gift can result in significant tax advantages for you while providing crucial support to initiatives that empower women, break down barriers, and create lasting change in our community.

Advantages of donating appreciated securities:

• Tax efficiency: By donating securities that you’ve held for more than a year you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value since purchase.
• Increased giving power: You may deduct the full fair market value of the securities at the time of the donation if you are itemizing deductions on your tax return. This allows you to make a more substantial impact without an additional out-of-pocket expense.
• Immediate impact: When you donate your stocks or bonds directly to the Women’s Fund, we can utilize the proceeds to support our ongoing initiatives and programs that champion gender equity and systemic change.

How to donate securities:

To preserve the tax benefits, it’s crucial not to sell the stocks yourself but to transfer them directly to the Women’s Fund’s Baird account. To maximize your benefits and impact, ensure your transfer is completed by December 31 to count for that tax year. Click here for more information.

By integrating gifts of appreciated securities into your charitable giving strategy, you join a powerful movement of philanthropists dedicated to reinforcing the foundation for a just and equitable society for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals.

ENHANCE YOUR IMPACT THROUGH DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

Leveraging a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a strategic and flexible way to support the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee. When you direct your DAF administrator to allocate funds in support of our mission, you become a key player in the future of women in our community. Your thoughtful contributions through a DAF allow us to launch and sustain programs that uplift and empower women across greater Milwaukee.

Advantages of donor advised funds:

• Immediate tax benefits: By setting up a DAF, you make a charitable contribution and receive an immediate tax deduction in the year the fund is created.
• Ongoing influence: Even after the initial donation, you can advise on distributing funds in future years, such as directing contributions to the Women’s Fund. While no additional tax deduction is received for these distributions, the impact of your giving continues to grow.
• Legacy and flexibility: Funds not distributed during your lifetime can be directed according to your wishes or handled by the administering foundation to align with your intended philanthropic goals.

To contribute to the Women’s Fund through a donor advised fund, simply provide your DAF administrator with our legal name and federal tax ID number: Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee, 20-3514894.

Together, we can forge a path towards a more equitable and just society. Your partnership as a DAF donor ensures that vital resources are continuously available to support programs and positive change.

LEVERAGE YOUR IRA FOR GENDER EQUITY THROUGH QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS

If you are 70½ years old or older and own a traditional IRA you can significantly enhance your philanthropic impact by making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee. This strategic approach allows you to contribute up to $100,000 each year directly from your IRA to charitable organizations, reducing your taxable income and fulfilling your required minimum distribution (RMD) in a tax-efficient way.

Advantages of a qualified charitable distribution:

• Tax efficiency: QCDs are excluded from your taxable income, which is particularly advantageous if you do not itemize deductions on your tax return.
• Fulfill RMD requirements: Starting at age 73 IRA holders are required to take minimum distributions from their accounts; however, you can begin making charitable distributions as early as 70½, allowing you to plan your charitable activities earlier.
• Direct contribution: The distribution must come directly from your IRA to the Women’s Fund to qualify for tax advantages. This can be facilitated through a transfer from the IRA financial institution or via a check if your IRA provider offers check-writing privileges.

For detailed instructions on how to make a QCD to the Women’s Fund, please click here.

By choosing to support the Women’s Fund you are not only managing your financial obligations wisely but also investing in economic empowerment and gender equity programs that change lives in greater Milwaukee. Join us in making a lasting impact on the community we serve.

STRATEGIC GIVING THROUGH LIFE INSURANCE

Life insurance is a powerful tool in philanthropy, allowing you to support the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee while managing your assets effectively. By incorporating life insurance into your charitable giving strategy, you can ensure lasting support for our mission to advance equity for women. Here are some options to consider:

1. Donate an existing policy: If you find that you no longer need a life insurance policy originally intended to benefit family members, you can transfer ownership and name the Women’s Fund as the beneficiary. This gesture not only simplifies your estate but ensures that the full benefits of the policy directly support our initiatives. If the policy requires ongoing premium payments, consider making annual donations to cover these costs, thereby continuing your support.
2. List the Women’s Fund as a beneficiary: You can maintain ownership and control of your life insurance policy while still supporting our cause by naming the Women’s Fund as a beneficiary. This option allows you to designate what portion of the policy’s benefits we receive, alongside other beneficiaries such as family members. This flexible approach lets you support our work without altering your portfolio or financial planning significantly.
3. Purchase a new policy for charitable giving: Creating a new life insurance policy specifically for the benefit of the Women’s Fund is a proactive way to ensure your philanthropic goals are met. This can be an excellent strategy to complement your overall financial planning, providing a significant future gift without impacting your current financial landscape.

Advantages of using life insurance for charitable giving:

• Tax efficiency: Contributions towards life insurance premiums can qualify for tax deductions. Benefits paid to charitable organizations like the Women’s Fund typically do not incur estate taxes.
• Lasting impact: By using life insurance as a vehicle for your charitable giving, you create a legacy that outlives your immediate contributions, providing long-term support for advancing gender equity.
• Recession-proof giving: Life insurance remains unaffected by market fluctuations, ensuring that your intent to support gender equity is fulfilled regardless of economic conditions.

To explore how life insurance can align with your philanthropic vision, we recommend consulting with your tax or financial advisor. They can provide personalized advice on maximizing the impact of your contributions through strategic financial planning.

By choosing to support the Women’s Fund through life insurance, you are investing in a future where women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals thrive in a more equitable society. Your foresight and commitment lay the groundwork for transformative change in the greater Milwaukee community and beyond.

LEAVE A LEGACY OF EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ESTATE GIVING

Incorporating the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee into your estate plan is a powerful way to leave a legacy that benefits future generations. By designating a portion of your estate, a specific amount, or even your entire estate, you directly contribute to our sustained efforts to champion equity and empower women in our community.

Options for including the Women’s Fund in your estate planning:

• Your will or trust: A straightforward way to include the Women’s Fund is through a bequest in your will. This can be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder of your estate after other bequests are honored.
• A revocable trust: Unlike a will, a revocable trust does not go through probate, meaning your contribution can support our mission without delay and without becoming public record. This provides both privacy and efficiency in fulfilling your charitable intentions.
• A trust document: Functions similarly to a will in that it specifies how your assets should be distributed upon your passing. It can be structured to benefit the Women’s Fund alongside or after providing for loved ones, such as a spouse or children.

Sample language:

By including the Women’s Fund in your estate planning, you do more than give a donation; you embed your values into the fabric of our community, ensuring that your commitment to gender equity continues to influence lives long into the future.

Regardless of which option you choose, we are deeply grateful for your trust and generosity. Your legacy will inspire and empower women, address critical community issues, and support systemic change in greater Milwaukee. For more detailed guidance or to discuss your estate planning intentions, please contact our office. We are here to assist you in ensuring that your philanthropic goals are realized in the way you envision.

Thank you for considering this profound form of support. Your visionary contribution will pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all.