What is an outright gift of cash?
An outright gift of cash is when you transfer funds to Maine Law and get nothing of financial value in return. The most common way for donors to make an outright gift is to write a check payable to Maine Law.
Gift provides immediate support
Unlike some other gift arrangements, your outright gift will provide resources that Maine Law can put to immediate use. If you prefer to restrict our use of your gift in any way, please contact us so that we can be sure that we can carry out your wishes.
Maximum tax savings
You may deduct the full amount of your donation up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, providing tax savings if you itemize. You may carry forward all of your unused deduction for up to five additional years.
Ways to give cash
Most donors make an outright gift by writing a check payable to Maine Law and mailing it to us. You may also make a cash gift using your credit card.
Freda Nicholson would like to make an immediate $15,000 gift to Maine Law. Freda could write a check for this amount and earn a charitable deduction equal to $15,000. Alternatively, Freda could make a gift using her credit card by calling us on the phone, responding to a mailing, or by donating online through our website. Gifts of checks and gifts made via credit cards are considered cash gifts.
Benefits
- Freda may deduct up to 50% of her adjusted gross income for her gift of cash, providing tax savings if she itemizes.
- If Freda itemizes deductions but cannot use the entire deduction in the year of gift, she may carry the balance forward for up to five additional years.
- Assuming Freda itemizes deductions and can use her entire income tax charitable deduction of $15,000, she will save her $5,550 (37% tax).
- Freda will gain the satisfaction of making a $15,000 gift to Maine Law.
