Getting Started

What issues move you to take action? With our help you can transform your philanthropic dream into a meaningful reality.

Steps to Giving

Step#1
When should you make your gift?

You can make a one time gift, make a monthly contribution, or plan to give after your life.


Step #2
What type of gift do you want to make?

Cash
Gifts of cash are fully deductible (up to 50% of your adjusted gross income), for federal tax purposes. If your total gifts exceed this limit, the excess may be carried forward and deducted for an additional five years. Your check must be postmarked or hand delivered by December 31st to qualify for the current year.

IRA
Seniors 70 ½ years of age and over, can transfer their IRA distribution directly to charity. By going directly to charity, the money is not included in the IRA owner’s income and is not taxed. This preserves the full amount for charitable purposes. Ask your IRA administrator to make a qualified distribution to Humboldt Area Foundation.

Stock
You avoid paying any capital gains tax on the increase in value of your stock. You also receive full fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift. For income purposes, the value of such gifts, up to 30% of adjusted gross income, may be deducted and the remainder carried forward and deducted for an additional five years. If you prefer to use depreciated stock as a gift, sell it first and donate the proceeds to maximize your tax benefits.

Life Insurance
To receive a charitable deduction, name a charity as both the owner and the beneficiary of the policy. If the policy has a cash value, you can take a charitable deduction approximately equal to the cash value at the time of the gift. Please check with your life insurance agent for details.

Real Estate and Real Property
Humboldt Area Foundation may accept gifts of real estate as vetted by the Humboldt Area Foundation Board of Directors gift acceptance committee. Please email or call (707) 267-9905 for details.


STEP #3
Where will your gift be directed?

A few options are outlined below. If you have questions email or call (707) 267-9905.

• Support Humboldt Area Foundation’s community programs or unrestricted grant making that meets changing community needs via the Opportunity Fund
• Support an existing fund listed in our fund directory. Call (707) 267-9905 to learn about our funds.
• Create your own fund. Stop by for a conversation on how best we can meet your needs

Your charitable gift will support work that will strengthen our community.

Ready to learn more?

To take the next step with your charitable donation, call (707) 267-9905, or send us an email.


“When you feel that you have affected something in your community, you feel you have made a difference.”

— Byrd Lochtie

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