Congratulations on deciding to make a difference in the fight against shaken baby syndrome! So many people want to do something, but never take the first step. We are glad you have chosen to do something positive to fight against infant abuse.

The following are ways you can make a contribution to the NCSBS:

Cash
A gift of cash is the most common and convenient way to give to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. Gifts may be made outright or pledged over a period of up to five years. Donors who itemize tax deductions are able to fully deduct cash gifts up to 50% of their adjusted gross income. Any excess may be carried forward for up to five additional years. Donors who wish to designate their contribution toward a specific project or program may do so by indicating the area of interest on the mail in form or on the online donation form. The NCSBS accepts checks, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Appreciated Securities
A gift of appreciated securities such as stocks or bonds can provide attractive benefits. An outright gift of long-term appreciated securities (securities held for more than a year) avoids capital gains taxes and, in most cases, the donor may claim a charitable income tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities. For gifts of appreciated securities, a gift is fully deductible up to 30% of the donor’s adjusted gross income and, like gifts of cash, may be carried forward for five additional years.

Gifts of Closely Held Stock
Closely held corporations are corporations whose stock is owned by family members and/or by business associates. The stock is private in that it is not publicly traded and, in most cases, there are restrictions on the transfer of the stock to third parties. With an outright gift of closely held stock, the donor typically transfers the stock to the NCSBS. To determine value, the donor has the stock appraised and obtains a charitable income tax deduction equal to the appraised value of the stock. The appraisal must be conducted by an appraiser who is knowledgeable in establishing the value of closely held stock. The NCSBS then redeems the stock to the corporation or one of its trustees and receives a check for the redemption price.

Real Estate
Donors can make a gift of commercial or residential real estate to the NCSBS and receive substantial financial benefits. Property may be given outright to support the mission of the NCSBS, and the donor can take a charitable income tax deduction based on the appraised value of the property. Or, the donor may use a home or land that is no longer wanted or needed to fund a life income gift. Another option for a gift of real estate—a retained life estate—is described below.

Retained Life Estate
Through a retained life estate, a donor makes a gift of a personal residence to the NCSBS and retains the right to live in the home for life. Making a gift of property while retaining a life estate provides the donor with a charitable income tax deduction based on the value of the property, the age of the donor and his/her life expectancy. For a gift of appreciated property, a donor may take a charitable income tax deduction for up to 30% of the donor’s adjusted gross income. The donor is responsible for maintenance costs, insurance and real estate taxes. To substantiate the value of the property, the donor must obtain an appraisal from an independent qualified appraiser. The cost of the appraisal is borne by the donor and is a miscellaneous tax deduction.

Qualified Retirement Plans
Making a gift of a qualified retirement plan asset such as a 401(K), 403(b), IRA, Keogh or pension plan is another way to benefit the NCSBS and receive significant tax savings. Retirement plan assets are often subject to extremely high estate taxes, and the income is fully taxable when received by an individual beneficiary. By naming the NCSBS as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, the donor maintains complete control over the assets during his/her lifetime, but at the donor’s death the plan passes to the NCSBS free of estate taxes. When creating an estate plan, donors may wish to consider leaving his/her heirs other assets, such as cash and securities, which are not as highly taxed.

Life Insurance
Donors can use life insurance to make a gift to the NCSBS by naming the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome as the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy. A donor receives a charitable income tax deduction based on the lesser of the policy’s fair market value or the net premiums paid. Donors may also wish to make gifts of paid-up policies, resulting in a charitable income tax deduction for the policy’s cash surrender value. An important use of life insurance is its ability to replace the value of an asset that has been given to the NCSBS. A donor can use the tax savings produced by the charitable income tax deduction to purchase and pay premiums on life insurance policies whose proceeds equal the value of the gifted property. This arrangement can serve to protect the interests of family members.

Endowed Funds
An individual or family can create an endowed fund, which provides a permanent bond between the donor and the NCSBS. Through an endowed fund the donor transfers assets to the NCSBS, which are carefully managed and preserved in perpetuity to provide annual income. Endowed funds support programs and services of the NCSBS. There may be no finer way to honor the memory of a victim of abuse or loved one than to establish a permanent fund in his/her name. We are happy to work with donors to build an endowed fund over the years; additional gifts may be added to an endowed fund at any time. People often choose to make annual gifts to the fund or make gifts to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or holiday. Creating a bequest or making a planned gift are other ways to augment an endowed fund. Donors may specify what purposes the endowed fund is to serve and how the fund is to be administered. The NCSBS carefully preserves the principal of the endowed fund (gifts and successive gifts) as an investment, while awarding some income each year for the purpose specified. A minimum of $10,000 is required to establish an endowed fund at the NCSBS.

Estate Gifts
An estate gift provides significant support to the NCSBS. The gift can be made through a will or a trust, and both vehicles enable assets to be distributed to individuals and nonprofit organizations in the amounts or proportions indicated. An estate gift provides the following benefits:

-The opportunity to make a major gift while preserving assets during life
-Reduction in federal estate taxes
-The opportunity to designate the gift to a specific program or service of the NCSBS.
-All assets, including cash, securities, real estate and tangible personal property, may be transferred to the NCSBS through a donor’s estate.

Estate gifts can be made in the following ways:

Specific Bequest
The NCSBS receives a specific dollar amount, a specific piece of property or a stated percentage of the estate. This is one of the most popular forms of bequests.

Residuary Bequest
The NCSBS will receive all or a stated percentage of an estate after distribution of specific bequests and payment of debts, taxes and expenses.

Contingent Bequest
The NCSBS will receive part or all of the estate under certain specified circumstances.

For More Information

To learn more about any of the above listed giving opportunities or to explore other opportunities please contact:

Ryan Steinbeigle
Director of Development
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
1433 North Highway 89 Suite 110
Farmington, UT 84025
801-447-9360 x 112 (M)
rsteinbeigle@dontshake.org