Family Giving is a Holiday Tradition
Posted on December 23, 2013
For Geof and Jenifer Kusch, charitable giving is about more than writing a check – it’s about leading by example. The Kusches support many organizations in our local area, as well as throughout the state and country, through a Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
“We enjoy a holiday tradition of family members proposing a grant from the family fund,” Jenifer explains. “Our grandchildren are old enough be aware of compelling causes, and we encourage them to think about local non profits so they can see the place where the money goes to work.” The family has been supportive of such local organizations as Kids In Distress, Mid-City Nutrition, the Blue Water River Walk and the YMCA.
The family also supports programs that provide nutritious meals to pre school students in New Hampshire, where their son Dan is an organic market farmer.
“We are proud that our children and grandchildren undertake grant recommendations so thoughtfully. All of them recognize our family is blessed with the ability to make a difference in areas of interest to us and that we have a responsibility to do so.”
These grants were made possible through a gift of appreciated stock into their Donor Advised Fund. This method of giving has been popular this year and has two key advantages. First, appreciated securities donated to the Community Foundation receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities – up to 30% of the donor’s adjusted gross income. Second, since the securities are donated rather than sold, capital gains taxes no longer apply. The more appreciation the securities have, the greater the tax savings will be.
“The Community Foundation helps us identify local opportunities coinciding with our goals as well as the flexibility to support organizations outside of our area. We like ability to use appreciated investments and the ease of the transfer process.”
For additional information, contact the Community Foundation at (810)984-4761.
